Same-sex couples have homework to do for new legal benefits

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Same-sex couples have homework to do if they plan to register for Wisconsin’s new legal benefits.

County clerk’s offices will start taking applications on Monday for the new registry that was approved in the state budget.

And state health services’ secretary Karen Timberlake says couples must be living together.

And they’ll need certified copies of their birth certificates, current photo IDs, proof of residency for 30 days, and Social Security numbers.

They’ll also need $115, the same fee as a marriage license.

And Dane County Clerk Bob Ohlsen says he’ll only take cash, just like he requires for marriage applicants.

Gov. Jim Doyle proposed the domestic partner registry in February.

Three board members from the Wisconsin Family Action group filed suit earlier this month, saying it violates the state’s constitutional ban on gay marriage.

Timberlake says she believes the state will prevail – and the lawsuit should not discourage same-sex couples from applying for the registry.

She would not guess how many couples will sign up. In Madison,

Ohlsen says he’ll borrow three other county employees to help with the applications on Monday.

Same-sex couples can get 43 of the 200 benefits afforded to married couples, including property inheritance, joint health care and end-of-life decisions.

Tags: same sex couples, legal benefits, wisconsin, register