Benefits Human Resources

What This Event Means

Use this event if you establish a domestic partnership and want to enroll your partner in your benefits.

A domestic partner is someone you share a committed relationship with but are not legally married to.

How This Is Different from Marriage

Domestic partnership is not the same as marriage and may have tax implications.

Important differences:

• You must complete a Domestic Partner Certification
• Some benefits may be considered taxable income
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the University

If you are legally married, you must use the Marriage event instead.

Who Qualifies as a Domestic Partner?

While specific requirements are outlined in the certification form, in general:

You and your partner must:

• Share a committed relationship
• Not be legally married to someone else
• Meet the University’s domestic partner eligibility criteria

The certification form will guide you through the full requirements.

When to Act

You must complete your changes within 30 days of establishing the domestic partnership.

Use the date the domestic partnership becomes effective (typically the date you sign the certification).

How to Update

1. Log in to UBenefits
2. Select Change Your Benefits
3. Choose Domestic Partner
4. Enter the effective date of the partnership
5. Add your domestic partner as a dependent
6. Select or update your coverage (medical, dental, etc.)
7. Review all changes carefully
8. Submit your elections

Entering the Correct Date (Important)

Your event date determines:

• When coverage begins
• When payroll deductions begin

Use the date your domestic partnership is established.

Coverage will be effective based on that date.

Documentation Required

If you haven’t done so already, please send your documentation to AskHR@utah.edu.

Required documentation:

• Domestic Partner Certification form

This form must be completed and signed before your partner can be approved for coverage.

Documentation must:

• Be complete and signed
• Clearly show the effective date of the partnership

What to Expect

After you submit your changes:

• You will receive a confirmation email to your UMail
• Your updates will appear in UBenefits (View Your Benefits) the next day
• Your changes are sent to the health plan administrator for processing

Weekly File Timing

Files are sent every Monday

If you submit after the weekly file is sent, your changes will be included in the next file.

Open Enrollment (If Applicable)

See Open Enrollment page.