Domestic Partnership

The City of Ithaca supports all caring, committed and responsible couples and families.  We believe that domestic partnerships are a form of public expression that deserve official recognition.

Our Domestic Partnership legislation can be found in its entirety in Chapter 215 of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code.

To Enter into a Domestic Partnership both People must Affirm:


  • That they are not related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the State of New York.
  • That neither person is married
  • That both persons are 18 years of age or older
  • That both persons are competent to enter into a contract
  • That both persons declare that they are each others sole domestic partner
  • That both persons currently share a primary residence and declare that they intend to continue to do so for the indefinite future
  • That both persons declare that they are in a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment and are responsible for each others welfare. For these purposes, "mutual support" means that they contribute mutually to each others maintenance and support
  • That the persons agree to notify the city of any change in the status of their domestic partnership

How to File your Domestic Partnership:

You can file your Domestic Partnership by completing, signing and submitting to the City Clerk a Statement of Domestic Partnership (PDF).

This form can be e-mailed to the City Clerk's Office with copies of both persons identification which includes signatures.  Once the City Clerk's Office has verified your statement and identification, a staff member will contact you to take the $40 registration fee by credit card over the phone.

Applications can also be mailed to the City Clerk's Office, with copies of both persons identification, and a $40 check made payable to the "City of Ithaca" to: City Clerk's Office, 108 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Terminating Domestic Partnerships


Either member of a domestic partnership may terminate the domestic partnership by filing a termination statement with the City Clerk. The person filing the termination statement must declare, under penalty of perjury:
  • That the domestic partnership is terminated
  • A copy of the termination statement has been mailed to the other domestic partner
  • Note: Once a domestic partnership has been terminated, the involved persons may not file another statement of domestic partnership for six months after the termination is effective.
  • The termination statement is available here
  • The fee to file a termination statement is $5.

    The termination statement can be e-mailed to the City Clerk's Office. A member of the City Clerk's Office will contact you to take the $5 fee by credit card over the phone.  Termination statements with a $5 check made payable to the "City of Ithaca" can also be mailed to: City Clerk's Office, 108 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.