Section 297 - Domestic partners defined; partnership established by Declaration of Domestic Partnership(a) Domestic partners are two adults who have chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring.(b) A domestic partnership shall be established in California when both persons file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the Secretary of State pursuant to this division, and, at the time of filing, all of the following requirements are met: (1) Neither person is married to someone else or is a member of another domestic partnership with someone else that has not been terminated, dissolved, or adjudged a nullity.(2) The two persons are not related by blood in a way that would prevent them from being married to each other in this state.(3) Both persons are at least 18 years of age, except as provided in Section 297.1.(4) Both persons are capable of consenting to the domestic partnership.Amended by Stats 2019 ch 135 (SB 30),s 1, eff. 1/1/2020.Amended by Stats 2011 ch 721 (SB 651),s 1, eff. 1/1/2012.Amended by Stats 2003 ch 421 (AB 205),s 3, eff. 1/1/2004, op. 1/1/2005.Amended by Stats 2001 ch 893 (AB 25), s 3, eff. 1/1/2002.Added October 10, 1999 (Bill Number: AB 26) (Chapter 588). See Stats 2003 ch 421 (AB 205), s 15.