The Moorhead City Council could have a domestic partner registry as soon as March, according to the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.

Council members discussed items that will likely come up at meetings in 2010, including a proposal expected from the Moorhead Human Rights Commission that would use a city ordinance to establish a domestic partner registry in Moorhead.

Council member Diane Wray Williams said the registry would be largely symbolic and not impose requirements on the city or employers.

Proponents of the registry say it would offer same-sex or opposite-sex partners in a committed relationship the opportunity to secure a certificate they could show to an employer who requires such paperwork before extending benefits.

The issue could reach the council some time in March, [Moorhead City Manager Michael] Redlinger said.

Moorhead would join Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth in registering domestic partnerships.