As of January 1, 2005, a registered domestic partner of a VCERA member is eligible for the same benefits available to a spouse of a VCERA member. To qualify, the domestic partnership must be registered with the California Secretary of State and a copy of the domestic partner certificate must be submitted to VCERA before retirement. A registered domestic partnership of another state will be recognized if that state’s laws governing the rights and obligations of domestic partners are substantially equivalent to those in California. All references to “spouse” on this website and in VCERA publications apply equally to a registered domestic partner.

Click here to download the domestic partner law which took effect in 2005.