First couple signs up for Salt Lake's Mutual Commitment Registry

It was a quiet morning at the Salt Lake City Recorder's Office. There were no celebrations or crowds waiting for the doors to open at 8 a.m.

But at 8:20, two women entered the office saying they wanted to sign the city's new Mutual Commitment Registry.

When acting recorder Chris Meeker told Brandie Balken and Lisa LeDuc they'd be the first couple on the registry, Balken responded, "fantastic."

The two women have been a couple for seven years, and had with them legal documents proving their reliance on each other. By 8:30 a.m. the couple had signed up and received certificates from the city.

"This is a lot less expensive than getting this done," Balken said pointing to the couple's estate planning document.

Signing up for the registry is $25, compared to the more than $2,500 Balken says it cost the couple to put their estate in order.

The registry provides an easy way for employers who choose to acknowledge domestic partnerships for employee benefits. It also provides for hospital visitation.

For Balken and LeDuc, who have already piecemealed together legal protections, signing the registry was more symbolic than anything else. It's nice they say to see the city offer acknowledgement of their relationship.

"It was just exciting," said LeDuc. "We'll see what it actually means. It definitely was a baby step in the right direction."

The city's registry almost didn't happen after it was proposed by Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council gave it unanimous support. Proposed legislation would have barred the registry, but lawmakers in the end approved another proposal that required the name be changed from its original title of Domestic Partnership Registry.

Balken says it's the substance of the registry that matters, not the title.

"The benefits do really stand from the initial proposal by Mayor Becker," she said. "We are very grateful for that."

In order to qualify for the registry, individuals must be in a committed relationship and responsible for each other's welfare. In addition, registrants must demonstrate financial interdependence, be over 18 years old, competent to contract and share a primary residence in Salt Lake City.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com