Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 142.30
Registration of domestic partners (Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance)
Operative Text
(a) The city clerk shall accept an application to register as domestic partners from persons who state in such application that they meet the definition of domestic partners set out in section 142.20 (a). Subsequent changes in address shall be promptly reported to the city clerk. (b) The city clerk shall charge an application fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) for the registration of [a] domestic partnership and shall charge a reasonable fee per document for providing certified copies of registrations, amendments or notices of termination. There shall be no charge for filing amendments or notices of termination. (c) The city clerk shall provide each domestic partner with a registration certificate. The registration certificate shall not be issued prior to the third working day after the date of application. (d) This application and certificate may be used as evidence of the existence of a domestic partners relationship. (e) The city clerk shall keep a record of all registrations of domestic partnership, amendments to registrations and notices of termination received by the city clerk. The records shall be maintained so that amendments and notices of termination are filed with the registration of domestic partnership to which they pertain. (f) The application and amendments thereto, the registration certificate, and termination notices shall constitute government data and will be subject to disclosure pursuant to the terms of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. (g) For purposes of Chapters 139 and 142, upon production of valid, government-issued documentation and only to the extent of the rights and responsibilities established therein or elsewhere in the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, the terms "domestic partnership" and "registered domestic partnership" shall include, in addition to domestic partnerships registered with the City of Minneapolis, and regardless of whether partners in either circumstance have sought further registration with the City of Minneapolis: (1) Any person who has a currently registered domestic partnership with a governmental body pursuant to state, local, or other law authorizing such registration. The term domestic partnership should be construed broadly to include same-sex civil unions or other such same-sex unions in which two (2) same-sex individuals are committed to one another to the same extent as married persons are to each other, except for the traditional marital status and solemnities; and (2) Marriages that would be legally recognized as a contract of lawful marriage in another local, state, or foreign jurisdiction. ( 91-Or-015 , § 1, 1-25-91; 2003-Or-109 , § 1, 8-22-03)
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 142.30 establishes a formal registration process through which the Minneapolis City Clerk accepts applications from individuals who meet the domestic partnership definition under § 142.20(a). A $20 application fee applies, and a registration certificate is issued no sooner than the third working day after application. The certificate and related documents serve as evidence of a domestic partnership and are treated as government data subject to Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. The provision also extends recognition to domestic partnerships, civil unions, and certain marriages registered or recognized under other governmental authorities, provided valid government-issued documentation is produced.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 142.30, landlords operating in Minneapolis should be aware that the definition of 'domestic partnership' is intentionally broad, encompassing not only partnerships registered with the City of Minneapolis but also those recognized by other governmental bodies, same-sex civil unions, and certain marriages valid in other jurisdictions. A compliant operator generally treats a registration certificate issued under § 142.30 as valid evidence of a domestic partnership relationship when evaluating occupancy or tenancy matters governed by Chapters 139 and 142. Keeping current with the scope of recognized relationships under this provision helps ensure consistent application of any related tenant-rights or anti-discrimination obligations in the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 142.30 gives tenants and their domestic partners a formal mechanism to document their relationship through the City Clerk's office, with a registration certificate serving as recognized evidence of that relationship. Importantly, § 142.30(g) means tenants do not necessarily need a Minneapolis-specific registration — partnerships, civil unions, or qualifying marriages recognized by other governmental bodies may also qualify, upon presentation of valid government-issued documentation. Tenants who believe their domestic partnership status has not been properly recognized in a housing context may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Minneapolis housing law for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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