Wis. Stat. » CHAPTER 770 — DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP
Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 770.05 (2026)

Criteria for forming a domestic partnership

✓ laws through the 2025-26 session (checked Sept. 2026)
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770.05770.05 Criteria for forming a domestic partnership. Subject to s. 770.07 (1) (a), 2 individuals may form a domestic partnership if they satisfy all of the following criteria:
770.05(1)(1) Each individual is at least 18 years old and capable of consenting to the domestic partnership.
770.05(2)(2) Neither individual is married to, or in a domestic partnership with, another individual.
770.05(3)(3) The 2 individuals share a common residence. Two individuals may share a common residence even if any of the following applies:
770.05(3)(a)(a) Only one of the individuals has legal ownership of the residence.
770.05(3)(b)(b) One or both of the individuals have one or more additional residences not shared with the other individual.
770.05(3)(c)(c) One of the individuals leaves the common residence with the intent to return.
770.05(4)(4) The 2 individuals are not nearer of kin to each other than 2nd cousins, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption.
770.05(5)(5) The individuals are members of the same sex.
770.05 HistoryHistory: 2009 a. 28; 2017 a. 59.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2012–2025 · leading case: Julaine K. Appling v. Scott Walker, 2014 WI 96, 853 N.W.2d 888.
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Julaine K. Appling v. Scott Walker, 2014 WI 96, 853 N.W.2d 888. · cites it 12× “Wis. Stat. § 770.05 . 3 This case contains no challenge to Art.”
Appling v. Doyle, 2013 WI App 3, 826 N.W.2d 666. · cites it 2× “On the other hand, we disagree with Appling's analysis of the domestic partnership prerequisite that couples already "share a common residence," see Wis. Stat. § 770.05 (3), something that is not a marital prerequisite.”
Ward, Lindsey v. Air Methods Corp., No. 3:21-cv-00343 (W.D. Wis. Oct. 8, 2021). · cites it 6× “Wis. Stat. § 770.05 (5); (Def.’s Br. (dkt.”
Jones, Austin v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., No. 3:24-cv-00214 (W.D. Wis. Apr. 16, 2025). · cites it 2× “) Since different-sex domestic partnerships are not recognized in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. § 770.05 (5), the court will focus its analysis on the second definition of “domestic partner” under the Policy.”
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