Washington Code 26.04.260 – Recognition of a legal union

If two persons in Washington have a legal union, other than a marriage, that:

Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.

(1) Was validly formed in another state or jurisdiction;

(2) Provides substantially the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as a marriage; and

(3) Does not meet the definition of domestic partnership in RCW 26.60.030,

then they shall be treated as having the same rights and responsibilities as married spouses in this state, unless:

(a) Such relationship is prohibited by RCW 26.04.020 (1)(a) or (2); or

(b) They become permanent residents of Washington state and do not enter into a marriage within one year after becoming permanent residents.

[ 2012 c 3 § 11 (Referendum Measure No. 74, approved November 6, 2012).]