SARASOTA COUNTY — County commissioners unanimously approved a domestic partnership registry ordinance Wednesday that will give nonmarried gay or heterosexual couples some of the same rights enjoyed by married couples in the county.

Former Sarasota city commissioner Ken Shelin, who has led efforts to get domestic partnership registries either passed or seriously discussed in the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port, said he was “delighted” the ordinance was adopted.