Wash. Rev. Code § 59.21 § 59.21.906
Construction -- Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships -- 2009 c 521.
Operative Text
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
Washington Revised Code § 59.21.906 establishes that family-status and marital terms used throughout Chapter 59.21 — such as 'spouse,' 'husband,' 'wife,' 'next of kin,' and 'family' — apply equally to state registered domestic partners and domestic partnerships as they do to married persons and marriages. References to divorce or dissolution of marriage similarly extend to the termination, dissolution, or invalidation of a state registered domestic partnership, provided that application does not conflict with federal law. Gender-specific terms in the chapter are to be read as gender-neutral when necessary to carry out Washington's 2009 domestic partnership legislation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 59.21.906, property owners and managers administering tenancies governed by Chapter 59.21 should recognize that any policy, notice, or procedure that references marital status, spouses, or family members applies equally to tenants who are in state registered domestic partnerships. A compliant operator generally treats documentation from domestic partners — such as partnership certificates — the same way it treats marriage certificates when those documents are relevant to a tenancy matter under this chapter. Reviewing lease forms and internal policies to ensure gender-neutral, partnership-inclusive language is consistent with how Washington law construes these terms.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 59.21.906 means that tenants in state registered domestic partnerships have the same standing under Chapter 59.21 as married tenants when it comes to rights tied to family status, spousal relationships, or dissolution of a relationship. If a landlord applies a policy differently to domestic partners than to married couples in a way that conflicts with this provision, that disparity may be relevant to a complaint or legal proceeding under the chapter. Tenants who believe their domestic partnership status is being treated unequally may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Washington housing law for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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