Domestic partners are unmarried couples, of the same or opposite sex, who live together and seek economic and noneconomic benefits granted to their married counterparts. In a few states, domestic partnership status is offered and regulated by the state and grants many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage -- generally limited to same-sex couples. In other places, domestic partnership is offered by smaller governmental entities or businesses and carries more limited benefits. In either case, benefits can include:
- health, dental, and vision insurance
- sick and bereavement leave
- accident and life insurance
- death benefits
- parental leave (for a child you coparent)
- housing rights and tuition reduction (at universities)