Domestic Partnership

The purpose of a Domestic Partnership Registry is to afford adult couples—who are not married under Florida law—the ability to register their committed domestic partnership relationship and to be extended certain decision-making, notification, designation, and visitation rights. In Sarasota County, the Domestic Partnership Registry is governed by the Sarasota County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 62, Article XII.

Sarasota County Ordinance 2013-037 defines a Domestic Partner as one of two individuals who are parties to a domestic partnership. A Domestic Partnership is defined as a committed domestic relationship between two individuals that meet all of the criteria described in Section 62-337 of Article XII of the Sarasota County Code of Ordinances.

Individuals considering entering a domestic partnership are encouraged to review the requirements outlined in Sarasota County Ordinance Section 62-337, which outlines details such as age, competency to enter into a contract, marital status, blood relationship, familial status, residency, and other relevant topics.

Please note that the Ordinance specifies that the registered domestic partners reside in a mutual residence, located in Sarasota County, FL. Domestic Partners are not prohibited from owning more than one residence. Temporary relocation of one partner for education or military service does not negate the maintenance of a mutual residence, provided the domestic partner intends to return to the residence.

Sarasota County residents who reside in the same mutual residence can register their domestic partnership with this office.

The Cities of Sarasota and North Port each have a Domestic Partnership Registry. Residents of those municipalities are encouraged to begin the registration process with their respective City Clerk. 

The recording fees to register, amend, or terminate a Domestic Partnership are set by Florida Statute 28.24. When acknowledged by a Deputy Clerk at the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office, the costs for each Domestic Partnership document are as follows.

Accepted forms of payment: cash, credit card, check, or money order payable to the Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller.

To have an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership Registration(PDF, 157KB) attested to by a Deputy Clerk, both partners must appear in person, together, at the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office in either Sarasota or Venice. Both partners must also do the following:

• Present valid photo IDs
• Bring two (2) witnesses who can attest to the partnership and who must show their own valid photo IDs
• Sign their documents in front of the witnesses and either a Notary Public or a Deputy Clerk
• Pay the required fees
• File their documents with the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office

After submitting the required registration form and payment of fees, Registered Partners will receive a Certificate of Registration. Additional certified copies of the registration can be purchased from the Clerk and Comptroller’s Public Access Department.

A Domestic Partnership can be amended by filing an Affidavit of Amendment(PDF, 195KB). The affidavit must be signed by both parties in the presence of the Clerk. Standard Clerk and Recording fees apply.

Yes. Information on the process for the Termination of a Registered Domestic Partnership is included in Sarasota County Ordinance Article X11, Section 62-343, Severability. The Ordinance covers several topics that both partners should review.

Standard Clerk and Recording Fees apply.

Sarasota County Ordinance 2013-037 Section 62-342, Reciprocity, provides information about rights, privileges, and benefits extended to registered domestic partners.

Documents related to Domestic Partnership registration, amendment, and termination are publicly available in the Official Records of Sarasota County. Certified copies can be obtained at the time of registration/ recording or at a later time, from the Clerk and Comptroller’s Public Access Department.