Beginning January 1, 2017, no common-law marriages may be entered into in Alabama. See Ala. Code § 30-1-20(a) (2016). However, common-law marriages entered into before January 1, 2017 are recognized and continue to be valid. See Ala. Code § 30-1-20(b).The elements of a valid common-law marriage in Alabama entered into before January 1, 2017 are:

1. 1. 

   the capacity to marry;

2. 2. 

   present agreement or mutual consent to enter into the marriage relationship;

3. 3. 

   public recognition of the existence of the marriage; and

   public assumption of marital duties and cohabitation. See Gray v. Bush, 835 So. 2d 192, 194 (Ala. Civ. App. 2001).

Where a marriage (ceremonial or common-law) is contracted while an impediment exists, cohabitation as a married couple of the parties in good faith after removal of the impediment establishes a valid common-law marriage as of the day the impediment is removed. This is true even if the parties at the time the marriage was contracted were aware of the impediment, but they nevertheless manifest or demonstrate their desire to live as a married couple (i.e., conduct themselves and their affairs as would a married couple). Continued cohabitation as a married couple after the removal of the impediment raises a presumption that a valid common-law marriage arises immediately upon removal of the impediment.

Recognized from 03/07/1939 through 12/31/1963; a marriage license was required, but solemnization was not mandatory; however, there must have been a marriage contract. Not recognized after 12/31/1963.

Not recognized since at least 2007. If a common-law marriage is alleged, submit to OGC for a legal opinion.

Not recognized.

For the possibility that a putative marriage may have been created, see GN 00305.085B. If persons, while domiciled in Arizona, contract a common-law marriage in a state where common-law marriages can be contracted, the marriage is not recognized as valid in Arizona if the parties intended by their actions to evade Arizona's laws.

Not recognized.

Not recognized. However, for the possibility that a putative marriage may have been created, see GN 00305.085C.

California recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states (see PR 19-203 in PR 05605.006).

Recognized.

A common-law marriage does not require any kind of ceremony but only the agreement of the parties, followed by the mutual and open assumption of a marital relationship.

A temporary stay by nonresidents does not establish a common-law marriage. The State statute provides that a common-law marriage entered into on or after 09/01/2006 is not recognized as valid unless, at the time the common-law marriage is entered into:

1. 1. 

   each party is 18 years of age or older; and

2. 2. 

   the marriage is not prohibited, as provided by statute.

For the possibility that a putative marriage may have been created, see GN 00305.085D.

Not recognized.

Not recognized.

Recognized.

An express mutual agreement to enter into a present marriage, and cohabitation after the agreement, are required.

If there is a legal impediment to a marriage, but a couple agrees to marry and live together as a married couple, a common law marriage begins when 1) the legal impediment is removed, AND 2) they continue to live together as a married couple. To demonstrate a common law marriage, the individuals must have had an exchange of words that made it clear they both consented to marry and continue to live together as a married couple.

Recognized before 01/02/1968.

The elements of a common-law marriage were:

• •

  legal capacity to contract marriage;

• •

  mutual agreement of the parties to become husband and wife presently; and

• •

  consummation of the agreement by cohabitation.

If the relationship was not valid in the beginning because one party had a prior undissolved marriage, their cohabitation as husband and wife, after removal of the impediment and before 01/02/1968, created a common-law marriage; no new agreement of marriage after removal of the impediment had to be established.

If a purported common-law marriage occurred before 01/02/1968, and such marriage was not valid because of an impediment, but such impediment was removed after 01/01/1968, then a common-law marriage did not arise.

Recognized before 01/01/1997. Common-law marriages entered into on or after 01/01/1997 are not recognized and are not valid.

To establish a valid common-law marriage prior to 01/01/1997, the parties must have:

• •

  been able to contract;

• •

  agreed to live together as man and wife; and

• •

  consummated the agreement.

An agreement of marriage may be inferred from cohabitation and reputation (i.e., holding themselves out to the world as husband and wife) unless there is other evidence indicating that such an agreement was not present. At least one party must have shown good faith to establish a common-law marriage by cohabitation and reputation.

Consummation of agreement may be inferred by an express agreement of present intention to be man and wife.

Where parties entered into a ceremonial marriage that was not valid because of an impediment, and one of the parties believed in good faith that the marriage was valid, their continued cohabitation as husband and wife after the impediment was removed is sufficient to establish a valid common-law marriage.

Not recognized since at least 1948. If common-law marriage is alleged, submit to OGC for a legal opinion.

Not recognized.

Recognized before 01/01/1996.

Not recognized. In 2005, Illinois abolished common-law marriages contracted after June 30, 1905.

For the possibility that a putative marriage may have been created, see GN 00305.085E.

Illinois does not recognize the common-law marriages of its domiciliaries that arise out of brief sojourns in common-law marriage States.

However, where parties reside in another state at the time of contracting a common-law marriage that was valid in that state, such marriage is considered valid upon their move to Illinois.

Effective 10/01/1977, a ceremonial marriage that is prohibited because it was entered into prior to the dissolution of a prior marriage becomes valid when the impediment is removed and the parties continue to cohabit. If the parties did not cohabit subsequent to 09/30/1977, this statute is not applicable, and the marriage is not validated.

Recognized before 01/01/1958.

Prior to that date, if parties attempted to contract a marriage in which there was an impediment, but both parties believed in good faith they were validly married, a valid common-law marriage was created by their having lived together in Indiana as husband and wife after removal of the impediment. If either party knew of the impediment before its removal, there must have been an agreement or ceremonial marriage after removal of the impediment to establish a valid marriage.

The elements necessary to establish a common-law marriage were:

• •

  the parties must have entered into a present contract to become husband and wife;

• •

  the contract must have been consummated;

• •

  the parties must have had contractual capacity;

• •

  there must have been mutual assent and mutuality to the contract;

• •

  there must have been an express contract, either written or oral;

• •

  there must have been matrimonial intent, good faith, and pure and just motives;

• •

  the parties must have held themselves out as a married couple in the community and been regarded as such; and

• •

  they must have cohabited.

A common-law marriage must have been proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Indiana recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states.

Recognized.

Evidence of cohabitation of the parties after the agreement to be husband and wife is not required.

Recognized.

Evidence of cohabitation of the parties after the agreement to be husband and wife is not required.

In the absence of proof to the contrary, an agreement to be husband and wife may be implied where the parties cohabited as husband and wife and were reputed to be such.

Where a marriage is contracted while an impediment exists, cohabitation of the parties in good faith after removal of the impediment establishes a valid common-law marriage.

Not recognized.

Not recognized.

For the possibility that a putative marriage may have been created, see GN 00305.085F.

While a common-law marriage, valid where entered into, is ordinarily recognized, a relationship originally bigamous and known to be such by the parties is not recognized as a common-law marriage in the absence of a new ceremonial marriage or specific marital agreement, even though continued cohabitation after removal of the impediment constitutes a common-law marriage under the laws of the state where entered into.

Not recognized.

Not recognized.

Not recognized.

However, by statute, if parties domiciled in Massachusetts enter into a ceremonial marriage while one party is barred from remarrying by a Massachusetts divorce, and one party entered into the marriage in good faith, a valid marriage arises upon removal of the impediment if the parties are domiciled in Massachusetts at that time. A new ceremonial marriage is not required.

Recognized before 01/01/1957.

If the parties agreed to be husband and wife in a state not recognizing common-law marriage, their mere cohabitation as husband and wife in Michigan would have established a valid common-law marriage.

Even though there was no evidence of an express agreement to be husband and wife before 01/01/1957, it is possible to infer such an agreement. This inference can be based on long cohabitation of the parties during which time they consistently held themselves out to friends, relatives, and to the public as husband and wife.

Michigan recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states.

A common-law marriage must be proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Proof of a common-law marriage includes:

• •

  the agreement to take each other as husband and wife;

• •

  cohabitation; and

• •

  holding themselves out to the world as husband and wife.

Notoriety is the most important element necessary to establish a common-law marriage.

Recognized before 04/27/1941. For the possibility that a putative marriage may have been created, see GN 00305.085G.

While Minnesota does not recognize common-law marriages that arise out of brief sojourns in common-law States, it does recognize a common-law marriage if the couple takes up residence (but not necessarily domicile) in another state that allows common-law marriages and the parties establish the public reputation in that state of having assumed the marital relationship as well as other elements of a common-law marriage applicable in that state.

Recognized before 04/05/1956.

Not recognized.

Recognized.

Under Montana case law, the party wishing to establish the existence of a common-law marriage must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:

1. 1. 

   the parties were competent to enter into a marriage;

2. 2. 

   the parties assumed a marital relationship by mutual consent and agreement; and

3. 3. 

   the parties confirmed their marriage by cohabitation and public repute.

Short periods of cohabitation and holding out as husband and wife are insufficient to establish the “public repute” required by the third element. See PR 05605.029 for an opinion with an example of short periods of cohabitation in Montana. If you still question whether a short period of cohabitation is sufficient to establish public repute, submit to OGC for a legal opinion.

Not recognized.

Recognized before 03/29/1943.

Recognized. Persons who are otherwise competent to contract marriage together, who cohabit and acknowledge each other as spouses, and who are generally reputed to be such for three years, and until one of them dies, are deemed legally married. Under New Hampshire law, a marriage is absolutely void where either party to the marriage has a former spouse still living and knows that the former marriage has not been legally dissolved. For further details, see PR 04805.032.

Recognized before 12/01/1939. Evidence of cohabitation of the parties after the agreement to be husband and wife is not required.

Not recognized.

Recognized before 01/01/1902. Not recognized from 1902 through 1907. Recognized from 1908 through 04/28/1933. Not recognized on or after 04/29/1933, unless the common-law marriage was validly contracted in a different state or country, and so long as the marriage does not violate New York positive law or natural law. Whether the marriage was validly contracted in the foreign jurisdiction is determined by the law of the jurisdiction in which the marriage allegedly was established.

New York positive law prohibits the recognition of marriages between:

1. 1. 

   an ancestor and descendant (e.g., a father and daughter);

2. 2. 

   a brother and sister of whole or half-blood;

3. 3. 

   an uncle and niece; or

4. 4. 

   an aunt and nephew.

A common-law marriage is also void if one of the parties to the marriage had a prior marriage that was not annulled or dissolved.

New York natural law generally prohibits polygamy, incest, and marriages offensive to the public sense of morality to a degree generally regarded with abhorrence.

Not recognized.

Not recognized.

However, North Dakota recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states or nations.

Recognized until at least 2004. If common-law marriage is alleged, submit to OGC for a legal opinion.

Recognized before 10/10/1991. To contract a common-law marriage before 10/10/1991 the elements of a common-law marriage, which clear and convincing evidence must establish, were:

1. 1. 

   a mutual contract to take each other presently as man and wife;

2. 2. 

   cohabitation as man and wife; and

3. 3. 

   the treatment and reputation as being husband and wife in the community and in the circle in which the couple resides.

A temporary stay by nonresidents is insufficient to establish a recognized common-law marriage.

Common-law marriages established in Ohio on or after 10/10/1991 are not recognized. Ohio recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states or nations.

Recognized.

To establish a common-law marriage, the parties must:

1. 1. 

   have an actual and mutual agreement between the spouses to be husband and wife;

2. 2. 

   have a permanent relationship;

3. 3. 

   have an exclusive relationship, proved by cohabitation as man and wife; and

4. 4. 

   hold themselves out publicly as husband and wife.

A temporary stay by nonresidents does not suffice as grounds for establishing a common-law marriage.

Not recognized.

A relationship recognized as a marriage in another state where it was consummated is recognized in Oregon, even though such relationship would not be a marriage if the same factors were relied upon to create a marriage in Oregon. For details on surviving spouse under Oregon intestacy law, see GN 00305.086.

Recognized on or before 01/01/2005.

To contract a common-law marriage on or before 01/01/2005, Pennsylvania law required clear and convincing evidence that the parties exchanged words in the present tense, spoken with the specific purpose of establishing the legal relationship of husband and wife. Although Pennsylvania did not require the parties to exchange a specific form of words to create a common-law marriage, it was essential that the parties agreed to be husband and wife.

Where one party is deceased, or is otherwise unable to testify about the exchange of words necessary to have created a common-law marriage, Pennsylvania courts presume that a common-law marriage existed if there is sufficient proof that the parties lived together as husband and wife on a constant basis and had a general and broad reputation of being married. This presumption that a common-law marriage existed is rebutted where there is evidence indicating that the parties did not agree to be husband and wife.

Where the evidence shows that, when the relationship began, the parties were simply living together as an unmarried couple, or that one of the parties was already married and, therefore, could not agree to be another person’s spouse, Pennsylvania assumes that the relationship as an unmarried couple continued, until a change in the relationship to a valid common-law marriage is established by clear and convincing evidence, and the change occurred on or before 01/01/2005.

Pennsylvania law may recognize the existence of a common-law marriage where a ceremonial marriage was void because of a legal impediment. For details on void ceremonial marriages and removal of an impediment, see GN 00305.070A.1.

Where only one party to a ceremonial marriage knew it was void because of an impediment, the marriage is valid without a new agreement if the parties continued to live together and continued to hold themselves out as husband and wife, as of 01/01/1954, or the date of removal of the impediment, whichever is later.

Where both of the parties knew the marriage was void because of an impediment, a new agreement was necessary after the removal of the impediment and the parties had to continue to cohabit as husband and wife.

If neither party knew of the impediment to the marriage, mere cohabitation of the parties as husband and wife after removal of the impediment validates the marriage from the date the impediment was removed.

In situations where a common-law marriage contracted on or before 01/01/2005 was void because of a legal impediment to the marriage, request a legal opinion from OGC to determine whether Pennsylvania law would validate the marriage after the impediment was removed.

Not recognized.

Recognized.

In addition, where parties contracted a bigamous, ceremonial marriage, a valid common-law marriage arises from the parties' cohabitation as husband and wife, after removal of the impediment. No new agreement of marriage is required if the evidence establishes clearly and convincingly that the parties intended at all times to be husband and wife. It is not necessary to contract the bigamous marriage in good faith by either party. However, if a bigamous common-law marriage is involved and the parties were aware of the impediment, a new agreement is necessary.

Recognized before 07/24/2019

Beginning 07/24/2019, no common-law marriages may be entered into in South Carolina. However, common-law marriages entered into in South Carolina before 07/24/2019, are recognized and continue to be valid. A common-law marriage must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. Thus, even after 7/24/2019, a couple can still prove a common-law marriage if they prove by clear and convincing evidence that their marriage began before 7/24/2019.

A common-law marriage requires mutual assent to be married. Mutual assent means each party must intend to be married to the other and understand the other’s intent. Factors to consider in determining the parties’ mutual assent to be married include cohabitating, introducing one another as spouses in public, filing joint tax returns, identifying one another as spouses in documents filed under penalty of perjury, holding joint bank accounts, and raising children together. The parties are not required to have known that South Carolina recognized common-law marriage or what was required to constitute a common-law marriage in South Carolina, but they both must have mutually intended to be married.

Legal Authority: Stone v. Thompson, 833 S.E.2d 266 (S.C. 2019)

Recognized before 07/01/1959.

South Dakota recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states.

Not Recognized.

However, where parties free to marry lived together for a long time and held themselves out to the public as husband and wife, both parties, as well as third parties, are in law not permitted to deny that they were validly married, provided there is an affirmative showing that:

1. 1. 

   both parties acted in good faith in that they each honestly believed the relationship constituted a valid legal marriage; or

2. 2. 

   the party seeking benefit of estoppel relied in good faith upon the representation of the other that the relationship constituted a valid ceremonial marriage; or

3. 3. 

   the cohabitation followed a defective ceremonial marriage, which the parties believed constituted a valid ceremonial marriage.

This relationship, in effect, gives the survivor and children of the marriage inheritance rights in Tennessee; it has no effect outside Tennessee.

Recognized.

The passage of time and ceasing of cohabitation will not terminate a common-law marriage once it is in existence.

IMPORTANT: A temporary stay in Texas by nonresidents does not establish a common-law marriage.

Prior to 01/01/1970:

Good faith at the inception of the relationship on the part of at least one of the parties, or a new agreement after removal of the impediment, is required. Good faith means intent to marry, together with the belief that there is no impediment to such marriage.

If the parties enter into a relationship and all elements for a valid common-law marriage are present, except there is a prior undissolved marriage known to the parties, there is no need for a new express agreement to give rise to a valid common-law marriage after removal of the impediment. Such agreement may be implied from continued cohabitation of the parties and their holding out to the public that they are husband and wife if, during their relationship, they maintained a continuous matrimonial intent.

Effective for applications filed between 01/01/1970 and 07/31/1994:

If the claimant’s common-law marriage was not valid because there was a prior undissolved marriage, a common-law marriage becomes valid when the prior marriage is dissolved (i.e., by death, annulment, or divorce) if, since that time, the parties lived together as husband and wife and presented themselves to others as being married (commonly referred to as “holding out”).

A claimant applying for benefits based on the existence of a common-law marriage must prove the validity of the marriage by:

1. 1. 

   Presenting a Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage that is:

   1. a. 

      on a form prescribed by the Bureau of Vital Statistics (BVS), and

   2. b. 

      signed under oath by both parties, and

   3. c. 

      certified and dated by a county clerk.

   The execution of a Declaration is prima facie evidence of the marriage and affirms the elements of a common-law marriage as shown within this subsection. Further development of the common-law marriage relationship is unnecessary unless other facts indicate that the Declaration may not be valid.

   OR

2. 2. 

   Providing evidence (for development of evidence instructions, see GN 00305.065B.3.) that the couple agreed to be married and thereafter:

   1. a. 

      cohabited in Texas as husband and wife; and

   2. b. 

      represented to others that they were married (commonly referred to as “holding out”).

NOTE: From 01/01/1970 until 09/01/1989, the couple’s agreement to be married could be inferred if (a) and (b) were proven. Effective 09/01/1989, we can no longer infer an agreement to be married based on proof that the parties to an alleged marriage lived together as husband and wife.

Effective for applications filed between 08/01/1994 and 08/31/1995:

A claimant applying for benefits based on the existence of a common-law marriage must prove the validity of the marriage by:

1. 1. 

   Presenting a Declaration and Registration of Informal Marriage that is:

   1. a. 

      on a form prescribed by the BVS, and

   2. b. 

      signed under oath by both parties, and

   3. c. 

      certified and dated by a county clerk.

   The execution of a Declaration is prima facie evidence of the marriage and affirms the elements of a common-law marriage as shown within this subsection. Further development of the common-law marriage relationship is unnecessary unless other facts indicate that the declaration may not be valid.

   OR

2. 2. 

   Providing evidence that he or she proved the existence of the common-law marriage in a judicial, administrative, or other proceeding (for examples, see GN 00305.076A) and such proceeding was initiated no later than one year after the date on which the relationship ended (usually separation or death). Such proceedings include filing a Social Security benefit application and providing evidence that the couple agreed to be married and thereafter:

   1. a. 

      Cohabited in Texas as husband and wife, and

   2. b. 

      Represented to others that they were married (commonly referred to as “holding out”).

KEY: One-Year Time Limit:

If a claimant fails to initiate a proceeding proving the validity of a common-law marriage prior to the expiration of the one-year time limit, consider such marriage void. For an explanation of this one-year time limit policy, see GN 00305.076C.

CAUTION: If a claimant attempts to prove that he or she initiated a proceeding to prove a common-law marriage between 08/01/1994 and 09/01/1995, submit the claim to OGC for a legal opinion following procedures in GN 01010.815.

Effective for applications filed between 09/01/1995 and 01/16/2003:

A claimant applying for benefits based on the existence of a common-law marriage must prove the validity of the marriage. See requirements listed under the previous period 08/01/1994 and 08/31/1995, numbers 1 and 2.

KEY: Two-Year Time Limit:

If a claimant fails to initiate a proceeding proving the validity of a common-law marriage prior to the expiration of the two-year time limit, consider such marriage void. For an explanation of this two-year time limit policy, see GN 00305.076C.

Change of Position effective for applications filed or pending on or after 01/17/2003:

A claimant applying for benefits based on the existence of a common-law marriage must prove the validity of the marriage. See requirements listed under the period 08/01/1994 and before 09/01/1995, numbers 1 and 2.

KEY: Two-Year Time Limit and Rebuttal Presumption:

If a claimant fails to initiate a proceeding proving the validity of a common-law marriage prior to the expiration of the two-year time limit, presume such marriage void. A claimant can rebut this presumption by proving that the criteria for establishment of a common-law marriage occurred by a preponderance of the evidence.

To meet the preponderance of evidence standard, evidence of cohabitation and holding out must prove the establishment of a common-law marriage. If a claimant cannot rebut the presumption in accordance with Texas law, we consider the parties never to have been married. For an explanation of this change of position with respect to the two-year time limit policy, see GN 00305.076C.

References:

• •

  GN 00305.125 Void Marriages

• •

  GN 00305.130 Voidable Marriages

Recognized.

Effective 04/27/1987, a common-law marriage is recognized in Utah if it arises out of a contract between a man and a woman who:

1. 1. 

   are of legal age and capable of giving consent;

2. 2. 

   are legally capable of entering a solemnized marriage under Utah law;

3. 3. 

   have cohabited;

4. 4. 

   mutually assume marital rights, duties, and obligations; and

5. 5. 

   hold themselves out as, and have acquired a uniform and general reputation as, husband and wife.

Utah recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states.

The determination or establishment of a marriage by court or administrative order must be initiated during the relationship, or within one year following the termination of that relationship. Evidence of a marriage may be manifested in any form.

For application of the one-year time limit and the effective date, see GN 00305.076D.

Not recognized.

Not recognized.

Recognized before 09/01/1957.

Not recognized. Washington recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states.

Not recognized.

Not recognized after 1917.

Wisconsin recognizes common-law marriages validly entered into in other states. If parties enter into a common-law marriage in good faith in a state where such marriages could be contracted during a period when an impediment to their marriage exists, Wisconsin recognizes their marriage as valid if they later live in Wisconsin and cohabit as husband and wife after removal of the impediment. A valid marriage arises without any new agreement of marriage by the parties.

Wisconsin does not recognize a common-law marriage of its domiciliaries that arises out of brief sojourns to common-law marriage States.