Domestic Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

What benefits are covered by this program?
Under the program, a student can enroll his or her domestic partner and dependent children in health insurance offered to full-time students through the University Health Service. Except for eligibility to participate, the same general rules apply to domestic partners and their dependent children as to other participants in the health insurance plans.

What is the definition of ‘domestic partner’ for University of Rochester students?

• Domestic partners must satisfy all of the following criteria:
• Have an exclusive mutual commitment, similar to that of marriage, but the partners are not legally married;
• Are each other’s sole domestic partner and intend to remain so indefinitely;
• Neither partner is legally married;
• Are not related by blood;
• Are at least eighteen (18) years of age and are legally competent to contract;
• Are currently residing together and have resided together in a common household for at least six (6) consecutive months and intend to reside together indefinitely;
• At least six (6) months have elapsed since the UHS Insurance Office has received a Statement of Termination of a previous domestic partnership from either partner; and
• Share joint responsibility for the partner’s common welfare and financial obligations demonstrated by the existence of a domestic partner agreement and should have at least two other items showing joint responsibility, such as joint bank accounts, joint deed, mortgage agreement or lease, joint credit account or other liability, joint ownership of a motor vehicle, designation of domestic partner as primary beneficiary for life insurance or retirement contract(s), designation of domestic partner as primary beneficiary of will, durable property or health care power of attorney, co-parenting agreement, or an adoption agreement.)

What is a domestic partner agreement?
A qualifying domestic partnership agreement is a legally binding agreement between two individuals creating personal and financial interdependence (i.e., joint bank accounts and joint liability for each other’s debts and expenses, responsibility for mutual care).

What is the procedure for enrolling a domestic partner in the University-sponsored health insurance for students?
A student who wants to enroll his or her domestic partner in the health insurance plan must have a domestic partner agreement that legally binds the student and his or her domestic partner to joint responsibility for their common welfare and financial obligations. Executing and filing a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the City Clerk of the City of Rochester will satisfy this requirement. The UHS Insurance Office will ask you to produce a copy of this agreement and/or other information that indicates joint financial responsibility, such as joint bank accounts or joint liability on mortgages or other debts, etc.

In addition to completing the Online Insurance Process each year, the student must also complete and file the Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the UHS Insurance Office, which is located on the 4th floor of in the UHS Building on the River Campus. You can fax your form to the UHS Insurance Advisor at 585-756-0263. If you have questions, you can contact the UHS Insurance Advisor at insurance@uhs.rochester.edu.

What actions are required if a domestic partnership is terminated? Following the termination of a domestic partnership, when can a new partner be enrolled?
The University must be notified within 60 days of the terminated relationship. You satisfy this requirement by filing a Statement of Termination of Domestic Partnership with the UHS Insurance Office. There is a six month waiting period before a new partner can be enrolled.

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