Reacting to a federal court ruling blocking Oregon's domestic partnership law from taking effect today, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) said Monday it will not make declaration of domestic partnership forms available to the public via e-mail, mail or on its website.

"Until DHS hears further from the court, domestic partnerships cannot be registered," the department said in a statement from Salem. "If a domestic partnership form is completed and signed prior to the law being effective, there may be legal questions about its validity."

The state registrar has advised county clerks not to release the forms unless and until the court lifts the injunction.

On Dec. 28, a federal district court judge blocked HB 2007, the domestic partnership law, from taking effect today. Another hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

DHS made the decision not to issue the forms after discussions with the Oregon Department of Justice.

For the Democrat-Herald