Domestic Partnership Program

Domestic Partnership Program

*The City Clerk's office is no longer processing Domestic Partnership forms.

In 2013, the City of Missoula created the Domestic Partnership Program to recognize the mutual support, caring and commitment unmarried couples have in the relationships and to support the right and dignity of unmarried couples to have their relationships recognized. (Resolution 7801)

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. Since that time, the domestic registry partnership registry has evolved as a way for Montana residents (the program is available statewide) to declare the partnership and get a certificate they present to their employer to receive domestic partnership benefits. 

To improve the experience for Montana residents, the City Clerk's office has evolved the registry to a form that is available on the City website. Montana residents can download the form, have it notarized and then present it to their employers, without having to wait for the Clerk's office to process their form and mail out a certificate. This also means that Montana residents no longer have to share their personal identifiable information with the City Clerk office. (Resolution 8631 - passed and adopted October 17, 2022)

Couples that registered prior to November 21, 2022 will remain active.


Domestic Partnership Program Requirements

Applicants must declare that they meet ALL of the following requirements:

  • At least one of the partners in the domestic partnership has a physical address in, and resides within the State of Montana; and
  • Are not related by blood to a degree of closeness that would prohibit legal marriage; and
  • Are both at least 18 years of age; and
  • Reside together and intend to do so permanently; and
  • Are not legally married under Montana state law; and
  • Are responsible for each others common welfare; and
  • Are each others sole domestic partner; and
  • Were mentally competent to consent to contract when the domestic partnership began.
    In addition, applicants must declare that they have:
  • A marriage, domestic partnership or civil union license from another state
  • OR
  • At least TWO of the joint living expenses or decisions in the following list must apply to the applicants:
    • Common ownership of real property or a common leasehold interest in such property; or
    • Power of attorney for health care decisions; or
    • Joint bank account or a joint credit account; or
    • Common ownership of a motor vehicle; or
    • Designation as a beneficiary for life insurance or retirement benefits or under the partner’s will; or
    • Shared parenting or shared legal guardianship of a child; or
    • Possess other such proof to establish financial interdependency under the circumstances of their particular case as considered to be sufficient

How to Establish a Domestic Partnership

Download the affidavit form, fill it out and sign it in the presence of a Notary Public. 

How to Terminate a Domestic Partnership

To terminate a partnership, regardless of date established, both people will need to sign this form in the presence of a Notary Public. 


Contact the City Clerk office with questions: 406-552-6073; cityclerk@ci.missoula.mt.us