Nevada secretary of state's office to start taking domestic partnership applications next week

The Nevada secretary of state's office will take applications starting next week from couples who wish to register as domestic partners.

Same- and opposite-sex couples who apply soon will receive their certificates of domestic partnership on Oct. 1.

That's the day a new state law goes into effect extending rights similar to those held by married couples to cohabitating couples, whether gay or straight, who register with the secretary of state's office.

Applications will be accepted at Secretary of State Ross Miller's office starting Monday. There is a $50 fee, and the applications must be notarized.