Which States Recognize Common Law Marriage?

Although common law marriage is not recognized in every state, there are a number of states that do recognize this type of marriage. If you are considering entering into a common law marriage, it is important to know the laws of the state in which you reside.

Checkout this video:

Introduction

Marriage is a legal contract between two people that is regulated by the state. Most states require a license and wedding ceremony to solemnize the marriage. However, in a few states, couples may be considered married if they meet certain criteria for a common law marriage. A common law marriage has the same legal rights and responsibilities as a ceremonial marriage, but it is not recognized in every state.

In order for a couple to be considered married by common law, they must meet the following criteria:
-The couple must agree that they are married
-The couple must live together in the same state
-The couple must present themselves to others as a married couple

If these criteria are met, the couple may be considered married by common law in states that recognize this type of marriage. Some states will retroactively recognize a common law marriage if it was established in another state that does recognize this type of marriage.

What is common law marriage?

Most people are familiar with the concept of a traditional marriage, where a couple goes through a formal ceremony and obtains a marriage license from the state in which they live. But did you know that in some states, you can be considered married without ever having had a formal ceremony or obtained a marriage license? This type of marriage is known as common law marriage.

So, what exactly is common law marriage? Common law marriage is a type of marriage that is not conducted through a formal ceremony or registered with the state. In order to be considered married under common law, the couple must meet certain requirements, which vary from state to state. For example, in some states, the couple must live together for a certain period of time (usually a minimum of six months to one year) before they will be considered married. Other states have additional requirements, such as cohabiting in a state that recognizes common law marriages and holding yourselves out as husband and wife to others (for example, using the same last name or referring to each other as husband and wife).

While common law marriages are not recognized in all states, there are currently 12 states that do recognize them: Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia (if created before 1997), Idaho (if created before 1996), Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only), Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (if created before 2005), Rhode Island and South Carolina. So if you live in one of these states and meet the necessary requirements, you may be considered married under common law!

The states that recognize common law marriage

Although common law marriage is not recognized by every state, there are a number of states that do recognize this type of marriage. Common law marriage is a marriage that is not officiated by a priest or minister, but is instead based on the couple’s mutual agreement to be married and their cohabitation. In order for a common law marriage to be valid, there are usually certain requirements that must be met, such as living together for a certain period of time.

The states that currently recognize common law marriage are Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. It should be noted that the requirements for common law marriage can vary from state to state. For example, in Oklahoma the couple must live together for ten years in order for the marriage to be considered valid. Whereas in Colorado, the couple only needs to live together for one year.

If you are unsure about whether or not your state recognizes common law marriage, it is always best to consult with an attorney who can advise you on the specific laws in your state.

The requirements for a common law marriage

A common law marriage is a marriage that is not officiated by a clergyman or other official. Instead, it is a relationship that develops through cohabitation and the mutual exchange of marital rights and duties. In order for a common law marriage to be valid, the couple must meet certain requirements.

These requirements vary from state to state, but typically include living together for a certain period of time (usually several years) and holding themselves out to friends, family, and the community as husband and wife. Some states also require that the couple share financial assets and accounts.

Common law marriages are not recognized in every state. States that do not recognize common law marriage include Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

If you are in a common law marriage and move to one of these states, your marriage will not be recognized as legal. You will need to get married again in order for your relationship to be considered valid by the government.

The benefits of a common law marriage

While common law marriage is not recognized in every state, there are some states that do recognize this type of marriage. Common law marriage can be a good option for couples who want to avoid the hassle and expense of a traditional wedding, as well as the legal implications that come with being married.

There are some benefits to entering into a common law marriage, including the following:

-You may be eligible for certain benefits that are available to married couples, such as health insurance and Social Security.
-If you move to a state that does recognize common law marriage, your relationship will still be considered valid.
-Your relationship will be considered legal and binding in the eyes of the law, which can have various implications if you were to ever separate or divorce.

The disadvantages of a common law marriage

Couples in a common law marriage do not have the same legal rights as couples who are married by law. For example, common law couples do not have the right to inherit from each other if one partner dies without a will. While some states do recognize common law marriages, others do not. This can create complications if a couple moves to a state that does not recognize their marriage.

How to end a common law marriage

Common law marriage is not recognized in every state, so it’s important to know the laws of the state in which you reside. If you move to a state that does not recognize common law marriage, your relationship will not be recognized as a legal marriage.

There are a few ways to end a common law marriage:
-Get a divorce: In states that recognize common law marriage, you can get a divorce just as you would if you had a traditional marriage. You will need to file paperwork with the court and may need to appear before a judge. –
-Annulment: An annulment is a legal way to end a marriage, but it can be difficult to obtain. You will need to show that there was something legally wrong with the marriage from the start, such as one partner being married to someone else at the time of the common law marriage.
-Move to a state that does not recognize common law marriage: If you move to a state that does not have common law marriages, your relationship will not be recognized as legal.

FAQs

People in common law marriages in certain states can file for divorce in those states. Each state has different rules about common law marriage, so it’s important to understand the laws of the state where you live. The following are some frequently asked questions about common law marriage:

-What is a common law marriage?
A common law marriage is a legally recognized marriage between two people who have not obtained a marriage license or had a formal ceremony. Common law marriages are subject to the same legal rules as formal marriages.

-Which states recognize common law marriage?
There are a handful of states that recognize common law marriages: Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

-How long do you have to be in a common law relationship before it’s considered a marriage?
There is no universal answer to this question, as each state has different rules. In some states, like Texas, you must live together for at least seven years before your relationship is considered a common law marriage. In other states like Pennsylvania, there is no set time period – your relationship will be considered a common law marriage if you meet certain criteria like living together and holding yourselves out as husband and wife.

-Can I get married by entering into a contract with my partner?
No – you cannot enter into a contract with your partner to be married. A contract cannot replace the need for a formal ceremony or obtaining a marriage license in order to be married.

Resources

There are many resources available to help you understand and research the laws surrounding common law marriage. Here are a few of the most helpful:

-The National Conference of State Legislatures provides an overview of common law marriage laws in each state, as well as links to relevant statutes.
-FindLaw also has an informative page on common law marriage, with information on eligibility requirements and how common law marriages are ended.
-Nolo Press offers an in-depth look at common law marriage, including how it started and how it has been treated by courts over the years.

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, states that recognize common law marriage are: Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia (if created before 1/1/97), Idaho (if created before 1/1/96), Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only), Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (if created before 1/1/05), Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. If you move to a state that does not recognize common law marriage and you want your marriage to be recognized in that state, then you will need to get married through the court system or through a religious institution in that state.