Many clients who come to our offices ask us how they can formalize their relationship with their partner. While it is true that we can also formalize the union with our partner through marriage, in this article we will deal with the constitution by way of domestic partnership.
Where can we constitute it? We can do it in the notary’s office, or directly in the Registry of Domestic Partnerships of Catalonia.
How can we constitute it? Our Civil Code of Catalonia gives us three options:
The first one is if the cohabitation lasts more than two uninterrupted years. In this case, the Registry of Civil Partnerships will ask for the updated Certificate of Cohabitation, in addition to other documents such as the identification of the couple or the birth certificate of the applicants.
The second one is if during the cohabitation, it is demonstrated that they have a common child. In this case, the Registry of Domestic Partners will ask for the literal Certificate of birth or family book where the offspring in common is shown. It is important that the birth has taken place during the cohabitation.
The third one is if both parties formalize the relationship in a public deed. In this case, we mean that the couple goes to a notary’s office to make this constitution. The notary will ask us for the cohabitation form, our identification documents and will also ask us to bring two witnesses on the day of the constitution.
Once the couple is constituted, a document which is the public deed will be signed and the notary will send the signed documents to the Civil Registry of Domestic Partnerships. A few days or a few weeks later, you will receive the Certificate that the couple is already registered in the Civil Registry of Domestic Partners.
If you want to form a domestic partnership by one of these means, do not hesitate to contact us.
Anna Nicolàs Torán
Lawyer Expert in Family Law
M&CAbogados
