By Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille Services | Sacramento, California

Have you and your partner been thinking about registering as domestic partners in California, but aren’t quite sure where to start?

Maybe you’ve searched Google, found a couple of government pages, downloaded a form, and then wondered…

• Which form are we supposed to use?
• What’s the difference between public and confidential registration?
• Do we both have to sign in front of a notary?
• Can we print the paperwork ourselves?
• Where does everything get filed?
• What happens after we sign?

First, take a breath! 💗 You’re not alone.

At Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille Services, we’ve recently had the pleasure of helping couples with their California domestic partnership paperwork. We realized that many people simply need someone to explain the process in plain English and help them get everything organized.

So we’ve put together this practical guide to help you understand the process from beginning to end.

And if you’d rather have someone help you in person, our Sacramento team is here to make things easier.

Step 1: Understand what a California domestic partnership is

A registered domestic partnership is a legally recognized relationship under California law.

California generally provides registered domestic partners with the same rights and responsibilities as spouses under state law. However, domestic partnerships and marriages are not identical for every federal or legal purpose.

You do not have to be a California resident to register a domestic partnership in California.

Before proceeding, both partners must meet the applicable eligibility requirements, including:

• Neither partner is married to someone else or in another domestic partnership that has not legally ended.
• The partners are not related by blood in a way that would prevent them from marrying under California law.
• Both partners are at least 18, unless a statutory exception applies.
• Both partners are capable of consenting to the partnership.

If you have questions about your legal eligibility or the consequences of registration, consult a qualified attorney.

Step 2: Choose the correct California domestic partnership form

This is one of the most important steps!

California offers two registration options. They are not interchangeable, so take a moment to understand the difference before completing your paperwork.

Option A: Public Domestic Partnership — Form DP-1

This is the standard Declaration of Domestic Partnership.

It becomes a public record. Information on the declaration, including the partners’ names and mailing address, is open to public inspection.

Official California government form

Download Form DP-1 (PDF)

Option B: Confidential Domestic Partnership — Form DP-1A

This is the Confidential Declaration of Domestic Partnership.

It is a permanent record that is not open to public inspection except by court order.

Official California government form

Download Form DP-1A (PDF)

Which one should you choose?

That depends on your circumstances and preferences. Carefully review the privacy implications before deciding. If you’re unsure, speak with an attorney before filing.

You can also visit the California Secretary of State’s official Domestic Partners Registry for the latest forms and information.

Step 3: Complete your declaration carefully

Once you’ve selected the appropriate form, it’s time to complete it.

You can download the fillable PDF, enter your information, and print the completed form.

Here’s what to pay attention to:

1. Partner information: Enter both partners’ legal names accurately.
2. Mailing address: Make sure the address is complete and legible.
3. Optional name changes: If either partner wishes to request an eligible name change, review the form instructions and applicable restrictions.
4. Declaration statement: Read the statements carefully. Do not alter the required declaration language.
5. Signatures: Leave the signature and date fields for the notarization appointment.

Our tip: Double-check spelling, addresses, and all other information before signing. Once the signatures have been acknowledged by a notary, the Secretary of State does not permit changes to the declaration. If you discover an error afterward, you may need to complete a new form and have it notarized again.

If you don’t have a printer, don’t worry! Seal of Approval can help print the appropriate paperwork for your appointment.

Step 4: Schedule your notarization appointment

Now comes the part where we can help!

Both partners must sign the same original declaration, and both signatures must be acknowledged by a notary public.

Here’s what to expect:

• Bring the completed declaration.
• Both partners must provide their signatures on the same original form.
• Each partner must personally appear before a notary for their own signature acknowledgment.
• Bring valid, unexpired identification that the notary can accept under California law.

Do both partners have to appear at the same appointment?

Not necessarily. California’s Secretary of State permits each partner to sign the same declaration separately and have their individual signature acknowledged by a notary. However, the two signatures must be on the same original declaration. Separate forms containing only one partner’s signature each will not be accepted.

At Seal of Approval, we can help coordinate the notarization process and make it convenient for both partners.

Why choose Seal of Approval?

We understand that your time matters. You shouldn’t have to spend hours trying to figure out where to print your paperwork, how to arrange your notarization, or what happens next.

Our team offers:

• Convenient in-office notarization appointments in Sacramento.
• Printing of the appropriate domestic partnership form.
• Professional notarization of both partners’ signatures.
• Document organization and preparation support.
• A filing checklist and instructions for the next step.

We aim to make the experience organized, comfortable, and straightforward.

Step 5: Prepare your filing package for the California Secretary of State

Once your declaration has been properly completed and notarized, the next step is submitting the original document to the California Secretary of State.

Here’s your checklist:

• Original completed DP-1 or DP-1A declaration.
• Both partners’ original wet-ink signatures.
• Proper notarial acknowledgments for both signatures.
• Applicable California Secretary of State filing fee.
• Any additional filing materials required by the current state instructions.

Current California state filing fees:

Registration	State filing fee
Both partners under age 62	$33
Either partner is age 62 or older	$10

If you submit the paperwork in person at the Sacramento or Los Angeles Secretary of State office, there is an additional $15 special-handling fee.

These are government filing fees, separate from any notary or document assistance fees.

You can review the official California Domestic Partnership Forms & Fees page before submitting.

Step 6: Submit your paperwork to the California Secretary of State

You have two main filing options.

Option A: Submit by mail

Send your original completed declaration and required payment to:

California Secretary of State
Domestic Partners Registry
P.O. Box 942870
Sacramento, CA 94277-2870

Mail submissions must follow the state’s payment instructions. Checks and money orders are accepted for mailed filings.

Option B: Submit in person

Sacramento Office

1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Los Angeles Office

300 South Spring Street, Room 12513
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Confirm current office hours and submission arrangements before traveling.

The state does not accept emailed or faxed declarations. It requires the original declaration with both partners’ wet signatures.

Step 7: Wait for the Secretary of State to process and register your declaration

This is the final and most important step!

Your domestic partnership is not officially registered simply because you completed the paperwork or had it notarized.

The registration occurs when the California Secretary of State files the declaration.

After registration, the state provides the partners with a file-stamped copy of the declaration and a Certificate of Registration of Domestic Partnership.

Keep these documents in a safe place. They are important records of your registration.

You can check the Secretary of State’s website for current processing information and filing updates.

Need a little help? That’s what we’re here for! 💗

Maybe you’ve downloaded the form but don’t have a printer.

Maybe you aren’t sure how to prepare the paperwork.

Maybe you simply want to sit down with a professional, get your signatures properly notarized, and leave knowing what your next steps are.

That’s where Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille Services comes in.

We offer convenient Sacramento in-office appointments to help make your California domestic partnership document process easier.

Our domestic partnership document assistance can include:

• Printing the appropriate California declaration form at your direction.
• Helping organize your paperwork.
• Professional notarization of both partners’ signatures.
• A customized filing checklist and cover sheet.
• Clear instructions for submitting your original documents to the Secretary of State.

If you need assistance beyond the notarization, we can walk you through the document-support steps and help you understand what comes next.

We are not a law firm and cannot determine legal eligibility, select a registration type for you, or guarantee state acceptance. Our role is to provide professional document support and authorized notary services.

Ready to get started?

Let’s make the paperwork easier. 💗

Whether you’re ready to schedule your domestic partnership notarization or simply need help getting your paperwork printed and organized, our team is happy to assist.

Seal of Approval Mobile Notary & Apostille Services

(916) 800-3970

Downtown Sacramento, California

sealofapprovalnotary.org

Call us 916-800-3970 to discuss your paperwork and schedule an appointment or Book an Appointment Online

Your relationship deserves to be celebrated. Your paperwork deserves to be handled with care.

At Seal of Approval, we’re here to help make every step a little easier.