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 Ohio, registered domestic partnerships are not recognized at the state level. Since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex marriage has been legal across the United States, including Ohio, granting same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex couples in marriage. However, some cities within Ohio may offer domestic partnership registries that provide limited local benefits. These benefits can vary by city but may include health insurance coverage for a partner, visitation rights, and leave policies similar to those mentioned. It's important to note that these local benefits do not equate to state-level recognition, and the rights conferred by domestic partnerships are not as extensive as those granted by marriage. Individuals interested in domestic partnership benefits should consult with an attorney to understand the specific regulations and benefits available in their locality within Ohio.