The New Jersey Domestic Partnership Act, which was signed into law on January 12, 2004 and became effective July 11, 2004, allows same-sex couples and unmarried opposite-sex couples age 62 and over to form domestic partnerships with some of the rights and responsibilities of marriage. To qualify for benefits under the Act, the domestic partners must share a residence, agree to share living expenses, share a bank account, mortgage, deed, or other joint responsibility for each other's common welfare, and be involved in a committed relationship of mutual caring.

The domestic partners cannot be married or related, nor can a prior partnership have terminated less than 180 days before an affidavit seeking domestic partnership is filed. To register for the partnership, an affidavit seeking domestic partnership must be filed with a local registrar with proof of joint financial arrangements.