Washington’s domestic partnership law took effect yesterday, and already the state has seen a rise in registrations of domestic partnerships.

The state registry, operated by the Corporations and Charities Division, has had a big increase in filings in November. Officials say there have been an average of 90 registrations a week since the election; previously, about 35 to 40 people signed up each week.

As of this week, there are more than 13,000 domestic partners registered in Washington state, both same-sex couples and heterosexual partners where one partner is 62 or older.

Referendum 71 passed last month with 951,822 votes to approve the law and 838,842 to repeal it.

The controversial petition signatory shielding is still a hot topic though. More on that development as information becomes available.