City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP
REGISTRY IN THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO
ADMINISTER SUCH REGISTRY
Whereas, in correspondence dated September 10, 2026, the City Clerk formally requested authorization to establish, within the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Mount Vernon, a Domestic Partnership Registry to register eligible domestic partnerships in accordance with this Ordinance. For purposes of this Ordinance, a ‘Domestic Partnership’ shall mean a relationship between two individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established herein and who have elected to register their committed relationship with the City of Mount Vernon pursuant to this Ordinance; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon recognizes that individuals may establish enduring, committed family relationships and shared households outside of the traditional framework of marriage; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that establishing a Domestic Partnership Registry will provide eligible residents with a formal, orderly, transparent, and accessible local process for documenting committed domestic partnerships; and
Whereas, the establishment of such a registry will enable the City Clerk’s Office to review, file, maintain, and certify affidavits of domestic partnership and statements of termination in accordance with procedures established by the City; and
Whereas, the establishment of a registry does not purport to create or alter marital status, domestic-relations rights, inheritance rights, pension rights, tax status, health-insurance rights or any other legal status or entitlement governed by federal or New York State law.; and
Whereas, The City Council further finds that establishing and administering a domestic partnership registry constitutes an exercise of the City's legislative authority concerning the government of the City, the management of its municipal business, and the safety and welfare of its inhabit...
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