More than 200 domestic partners file

In just the first week of pre-filing, the secretary of state's office has received 205 applications from couples seeking to register as domestic partners.

The office's communications director, Pam du Pre, said most of the registration forms were mailed to the Las Vegas office, where the program is being managed. Ten couples filed in person at the Carson City office in the Capitol.

The 2009 Legislature created the program as an alternative to marriage for couples, both same sex and opposite sex. It is designed to allow them some of the same legal rights as married couples, including access to benefits and participation in major decisions such as end-of-life choices.

The law goes into effect Oct. 1 but Secretary of State Ross Miller opened the program to pre-filing this past Monday, saying he expected a huge demand.

"I'm scared we're going to have a ton of people sitting outside the office on the first," he said.

He added that many of those couples will undoubtedly want their partnership registered on the first day the program is available. He said the goal is to get as many of those certificates as possible to the registered couples on Oct. 1.

In order to become domestic partners, each couple must declare they aren't married or a member of another domestic partnership, not related in a way that would bar them from marriage and are at least age 18.

A $50 fee for the registration supports the program, which was not funded by lawmakers. A ceremonial certificate is available for another $15.

Those wishing to register can do so online at the secretary of state's Web site, www.nvsos.gov.

Under a new law, domestic partners will be recognized by the state and eligible for benefits beginning Oct. 1.

In an effort to clarify, the Carson City chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is hosting a panel of experts to answer questions Tuesday.

"This is brand new," said Pam Graber, secretary of the advocacy organization. "Everyone's pretty excited, but there's a lot of details they're not sure about."

Representatives from the Nevada Secretary of State's office and the American Civil Liberties Union will join a family law attorney and a financial services professional to present important information regarding Nevada's Domestic Partnership law.

The presentation will begin 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Family Friendship Hall. For more information, contact Graber at 775-220-4151.

- Teri Vance