Domestic partnership的意思

"Domestic partnership" is a term used to describe a relationship between two people who live together and share a common domestic life, but are not married to each other or in a legally recognized marriage. The term is most commonly used in the United States and Canada, where it is often used to provide same-sex couples with some of the legal and financial benefits that are typically afforded to married couples.

In a domestic partnership, the partners may share assets and responsibilities, and they may also have rights to visitation in hospitals, inheritance without a will, and other benefits. The specific rights and responsibilities of a domestic partnership can vary depending on the laws of the state or province in which the partnership is recognized.

In some cases, domestic partnership registration is available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, while in other cases it is only available to same-sex couples. In some jurisdictions, domestic partnerships have been replaced or supplemented by civil unions or marriage for same-sex couples, following the legalization of same-sex marriage.