Registered domestic partnerships are similar to marriage, but do not create all of the same rights and responsibilities. Before the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, most people in registered domestic partnerships were same-sex couples who lived in states that did not recognize same-sex marriage. Registered domestic partnerships remain an option for domestic partners in some cities and states. Some cities and states require one or both of the individuals to be at least 62 years of age to create a registered domestic partnership.

Laws vary from state to state, and some states refer to such a domestic arrangement as a civil union rather than a domestic partnership. Some of the benefits of a registered domestic partnership may include (1) the ability for one partner to secure health insurance for the other partner through an employer’s family health insurance plan; (2) visitation rights in hospitals and jails; (3) the right to take family leave to care for a sick partner; and (4) the right to take bereavement leave for the death of a partner under an employer’s bereavement leave policy.

In Arkansas, there is no state-wide recognition of registered domestic partnerships as a legal status similar to marriage. Since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex marriage has been recognized across the United States, including Arkansas, rendering the need for a separate domestic partnership status for same-sex couples largely moot in terms of state recognition. However, some cities or local jurisdictions within states may offer domestic partnership registries that confer certain rights and benefits, such as health insurance coverage for a partner, visitation rights, and family leave. It's important to note that these benefits and the recognition of domestic partnerships can vary significantly by locality and may not provide the full extent of rights and responsibilities afforded by marriage. Individuals interested in the specifics of domestic partnership benefits within their locality should consult with an attorney or the local government offices where such partnerships may be recognized.