Register your domestic partnership
Register your domestic partnership to get many of the same rights and obligations as married couples. Two people in a conjugal relationship who wish to formalize their relationship may make a declaration of domestic partnership.
Use the Declaration of Domestic Partnership Form to register your domestic partnership.
Two people in a conjugal relationship who wish to formalize their relationship may make a declaration of domestic partnership.
When you register a domestic partnership, you and your partner have many of the same rights and obligations as a married couple.
Eligibility
To register a domestic partnership, both you and your partner need to:
- live in a conjugal relationship
- want to form a domestic partnership
- be 19 or older
- have lived in Nova Scotia for at least 3 months immediately before registering your domestic partnership or own real estate in Nova Scotia
- not be married
- not be in another domestic partnership
How to register
- Complete the registration form.
- Check the form for details on all required supporting documents.
- Include payment with your form.
- Send your completed form, supporting documents and payment by mail or fax. Or contact Vital Statistics to book an appointment.
How long it takes
It should take 2 to 3 months to get the Declaration of Domestic Partnership (registration document). It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration | $24.95 |
See all fees for Vital Statistics certificates, licences and services.
Payment options
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, debit card, cheque, money order, cash. A cheque or money order should be made payable to the Minister of Finance. Payment options may vary depending on how you apply.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- proof of age for each person (government-issued identification, Birth Certificate or passport)
- proof of residency for each person (government-issued identification, Health Card or proof of ownership of real estate in Nova Scotia)
- proof of divorce (Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute), if either person is divorced
- proof of death (Death Certificate, Statement of Death or obituary notice), if either person is widowed
- signatures of both partners
- signature of witness