Facility Coordination
We arrange the professional visit with the facility and confirm the partner’s housing location before we travel.
LA, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino & Santa Barbara Counties
Jail Inmate Notary
Domestic Partnership Notary & Filing When a Partner Is in Jail
We notarize both partners on the California Declaration of Domestic Partnership when one partner is in custody, then file it with the Secretary of State for you. One call, one all-in flat rate with state fees included, standard or confidential form.
- Standard (DP-1) or confidential (DP-1A)
- Both partners notarized
- Filed with the California Secretary of State
A registered domestic partnership is filed on a single state form, the Declaration of Domestic Partnership. There is no ceremony, no marriage license, and no officiant. Both partners sign the same original form, both signatures are notarized, and the form is filed with the California Secretary of State. Being in custody does not prevent a partner from signing.
What this page covers
Jail domestic partnership filings, handled end to end.
On paper, a domestic partnership looks simple: one form, two signatures, one filing. When one partner is in custody, it takes more than that. The facility has to approve the visit, both partners have to be notarized on the same original form, and the Secretary of State rejects forms that are altered, incomplete, or carry copied signatures. A rejected form means starting over with a new form and new notarizations. We have notarized documents at jails across Southern California for years, and we handle the domestic partnership as one coordinated job, from the first call to the state filing.
The package
What our domestic partnership package includes.
Notarization in Custody
We notarize the incarcerated partner’s signature at the facility, including identification through the sheriff-issued booking wristband where California law allows it.
Cal. Civ. Code §1185(b)(3)(D)
Notarization of the Other Partner
We coordinate the other partner’s notarization on the same original form, so you never mail an unfinished form back and forth.
Both signatures, one form
Secretary of State Filing
We file the completed original with the California Secretary of State and keep you updated until the state sends the filed copy and Certificate of Registration.
Cal. Fam. Code §§297–298
Two versions of the form
Standard or confidential — we notarize and file either one.
Declaration of Domestic Partnership (DP-1)
The standard form. According to the California Secretary of State, it creates a public record, including both partners’ names and the mailing address on the form.
Confidential Declaration of Domestic Partnership (DP-1A)
The confidential form. According to the Secretary of State, the record is not open to public inspection except by court order, and copies are released only to the partners.
Both official forms are linked in our Declaration of Domestic Partnership reference page. Choosing between them is your decision, or a question for your attorney — we are Notaries, not attorneys, and do not give legal advice.
How it works
Four steps from your call to a filed domestic partnership.
Tell Us the Facility
Call or text us with the facility, your partner’s full name, and booking number if you have it. Let us know whether you plan to file the standard or confidential form.
We Coordinate the Visit
We handle clearance with the facility and schedule both notarizations. Most LA County jails clear within 24–48 hours.
Both Partners Are Notarized
Each partner signs the same original form in front of a Notary, in blue or black ink, and we complete the California acknowledgment for each signature.
We File With the State
We file the original with the California Secretary of State. The state mails the filed copy and Certificate of Registration to the address on the form.
Before you call
What to have ready.
For Your Call
- Facility name and your partner’s full legal name
- Booking number, if you have it
- Standard or confidential form — your choice
- Any middle or last name changes either partner wants listed
- The mailing address the state should send records to
Good to Know
- Both partners must meet California Family Code §297 requirements
- Do not sign the form before the Notary is present
- Nothing on the form can be changed after it is notarized
- The state accepts only the original with wet signatures — no copies, scans, or faxes
- A certified copy of the filed form is the state’s accepted proof of registration
Jail domestic partnership FAQ
Frequently asked questions about domestic partnership filings from jail.
Can someone in jail register a domestic partnership in California?
Yes. The California Secretary of State accepts a Declaration of Domestic Partnership when one partner is incarcerated. Both partners must meet the requirements of California Family Code section 297, and both signatures must be notarized on the same original form.
Do both partners have to sign at the same time?
No. The Secretary of State allows each partner to sign and be notarized separately, as long as both signatures end up on the same original form. Two separate forms with one signature each are not accepted. We coordinate both notarizations so the form is complete before it is filed.
What is the difference between the standard and confidential form?
The standard Declaration of Domestic Partnership (DP-1) creates a public record. The Confidential Declaration of Domestic Partnership (DP-1A) creates a record that is not open to public inspection except by court order. The Secretary of State notes that no law requires an incarcerated partner to use one form over the other. Which one to file is your decision, or a question for your attorney. We notarize and file either form.
Do you file the form with the Secretary of State?
Yes. Filing is part of our domestic partnership package. Once both partners are notarized, we file the original with the California Secretary of State. The state then sends the filed copy and Certificate of Registration to the mailing address on the form.
Can the incarcerated partner change their last name on the form?
Yes. Under California Family Code section 298.6, either partner may take a new middle or last name on the form, within the options the law allows. The partner signs using their current name. A name change listed on the form must be decided before the signing, because nothing can be changed after notarization.
Is the state filing fee included?
Yes. Our flat-rate package includes both notarizations, the Secretary of State filing, and the state filing fee. The price depends on the facility. Call or text us for a confirmed quote.
How long does the whole process take?
Plan on at least 24–48 hours for facility clearance at most LA County jails, longer at out-of-county and federal facilities. Call as soon as you know you want to file. We start coordination right away and keep you updated at each step.
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Jails we serve
Key facilities where we notarize domestic partnership declarations.
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