OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Same-sex couples began registering as domestic partners for the first time in state history as supporters cheered, celebrating a new state law that gives registered domestic partners some of the rights married couples have.

Amid a party atmosphere with flowers and applause, couples lined up by the dozens to fill out paperwork at the Washington Secretary of State's office, which registered the first couple shortly after opening its doors at 8 a.m.

"It's a step to get equal rights," said Jim Malatak.

Malatak, of Seattle, and his partner of 30 years, Rick Sturgill, got in line at 4 a.m. to be the first couple to register with the state as domestic partners.

"By God, we're paying our taxes and I fought for my country and I think I deserve an opportunity to be happy with the person I love," Malatak said.

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The domestic partnership will give couples enhanced rights, including the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, hospital visitation rights and the right to inherit each other's property. To be registered, couples must share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18.

In a provision similar to California law, unmarried, heterosexual senior couples are also eligible for domestic partnerships if one partner is at least 62. Lawmakers said that provision was included to help seniors who are at risk of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry.

The new law takes effect a year after the state Supreme Court upheld Washington's ban on same-sex marriage, ruling that state lawmakers were justified in passing the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which restricts marriage to unions between a man and woman.

Seattle Democrat Ed Murray led the push to create domestic partnerships after the partner of a Seattle woman who was trapped under water during last December's floods was initially denied access to her hospital room.

Some groups say the domestic partnership law will chip away at the foundation of marriage.

Get the forms and more details at the Secretary of State's Web site.