Source: https://www.howdoifilefordivorce.com/legalquestions/whatiscommonlawmarriage.shtml
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 02:48:58+00:00

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In some states, couples can become legally married by living together for a certain period of time and either holding themselves out to others as husband and wife or intending to be married. These living relationships are called common-law marriages. When a common-law marriage exists according to the law of the state in which the couple resides, the spouses then receive the same legal treatment provided in the law for married couples. Please see specific state for details and/or differences.
Common-law marriages are recognized in Alabama. A valid common-law marriage exists in Alabama when there is capacity to enter into a marriage, present agreement or consent to be husband and wife, public recognition of the existence of the marriage, and consummation. Consent to be treated as husband and wife is inferred from cohabitation and public recognition.
Alaska statutes do not provide for a common-law marriage.
Arizona does not recognize common-law marriages contracted within Arizona. However, the courts will recognize the validity of a common-law marriage if it is valid according to the law of the state where the parties lived prior to residing in Arizona. ARS §25-111.
Arkansas law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
California law does not recognize a common-law marriage within California. However, common-law marriages legally created in another state, if valid under the laws of that state, will be recognized as valid in California. Cal. Fam. Code Section 308.
Common-law marriage is recognized in Colorado. Once a common-law marriage has occurred, it may be dissolved through only the statutory procedure for dissolution of marriage.
Connecticut law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Delaware law does not provide for a common-law marriage. 13 DCA §126.
Florida law does not recognize a common-law marriage.
Georgia law does recognize the validity of a common-law marriage. In order for a common-law marriage to come into existence, the parties must be able to contract, must agree to live together as man and wife, and must consummate the agreement. GC §19-3-1.
Hawaii law does not provide for a common-law marriage. HRS §572-1.
Idaho law no longer provides for a common-law marriage. Prior to 1996, common-law marriages were recognized in Idaho. However, effective January 1, 1996, consent of the parties by itself will not constitute a valid marriage. The parties must have a license and follow the procedures required by Idaho statutes. The change in law does not invalidate any marriage contract in effect prior to January 1, 1996, created by consenting parties through a mutual assumption of marital rights, duties, or obligations. IC §32-201.
Illinois law does not provide for a common-law marriage. However, if the parties reside in another state at the time of contracting a common-law marriage and it was valid in that state, then such marriage will be considered valid if the parties then reside in Illinois. 750 ILCS 5/214.
Indiana law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Iowa recognizes common-law marriage, which is as valid as marriage under the statutes. ICA Section 595.1.
A common-law marriage is valid in Kansas.
Kentucky law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Louisiana law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Maine law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Common-law marriages are not valid in Maryland, although Maryland courts will recognize the validity of a common-law marriage if valid in the state where it was formed. ACM §2-401.
Massachusetts law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Michigan law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Minnesota law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Mississippi law recognizes the validity of a common-law marriage. Mississippi law requires parties to obtain a marriage license in accordance with the statutes. However, the law also provides that no irregularity in the issuance of or omission in the license shall invalidate any marriage, nor shall the law be construed so as to invalidate any marriage that is good at common-law. MC 93-1-13.
Missouri law does not recognize the validity of a common-law marriage.
A common-law marriage is valid in Montana. MCA 40-1-403.
Nebraska law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Nevada law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
New Hampshire generally does not recognize the validity of common-law marriages. However, if a man and woman cohabit and acknowledge each other as husband and wife, and are generally known to the public to be husband and wife for a period of at least three years, they may be deemed to have been legally married, until either dies. RSA 457:39.
New Jersey law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
New Mexico law does not provide for a common-law marriage. However, although New Mexico does not authorize common-law marriages, it will recognize such marriages if they are valid in the jurisdiction where consummated. §40-1-4 NMSA.
New York law does not provide for a common-law marriage, Domestic Relations Law § 13.
North Carolina law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
North Dakota law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Common-law marriages have been recognized as valid in the state of Ohio. However, as of October 10, 1991, common-law marriages are prohibited in Ohio and a marriage is valid only if the parties obtained a license and met the other requirements of Ohio law. Common-law marriages that occurred in Ohio prior to the effective date of the change, remain valid on and after the effective date of the amendment to the statute. To be valid, common-law marriages must satisfy all the following requirements: 1) they came into existence prior to October 10, 1991, the effective date of the amendment to the statute, or they came into existence in another state or nation that recognizes the validity of common-law marriage under the law of the state or nation; and 2) they have not been terminated by death, divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or other judicial determination in Ohio or in any other state; and 3) the common-law marriage can be proved by competent evidence of cohabitation of the parties and the parties holding themselves out as husband and wife. ORC 3105.12.
Common-law marriages are valid under the law of Oklahoma.
Oregon law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Pennsylvania law recognizes the validity of common-law marriages. A valid marriage will be found if there is sufficient evidence to prove that it was the intention of the parties to enter into a marriage relationship. A common-law marriage is presumed to exist where the parties have cohabited as husband and wife and have a general reputation as husband and wife. Thus: 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 1103.
Common-law marriages are valid under Rhode Island law.
Common-law marriages are recognized as valid in South Carolina.
South Dakota law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Tennessee law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Texas law recognizes the validity of common-law marriage.
Utah law does recognize the validity of common-law marriage. Even if parties have not obtained a marriage license and otherwise complied with the statutory requirements for entering into a valid marriage, the parties may still be validly married under Utah law if a court order establishes that the marriage relationship arose out of a contract between two consenting parties who are capable of giving consent; are legally capable of entering into a valid marriage under the provisions of Utah law; have cohabited; mutually assumed marital rights, duties and obligations; and who hold themselves out and have acquired a uniform and general reputation as husband and wife. UCA 30-1-4.5.
Vermont law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Virginia law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Washington law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
West Virginia law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Wisconsin law does not provide for a common-law marriage.
Common-law marriages entered into in Wyoming are not valid.

References: §25
 §126
 §19
 §572
 §32
 §2
 §40
 § 13
 § 1103