There was a time when many states in America recognized common-law marriages, but that has changed. Now, these marriages are considered an archaic form of arrangement and only allowed in 8 states. If your state does not recognize common-law, you and your spouse may face challenges in establishing your marriage.
Still, if you wish to establish a common law in ct marriage, you might have an option left. Consult with a family attorney to discuss your legal options.
My spouse and I do not live in a common-law state. Can we still be married?
Only a few American states allow common-law marriages, and the numbers keep decreasing. An additional 5 states also allow such marriages, but only if they were formed before a specific date. More and more states have banned it because they realized common law marriage causes more problems than it is worth.
The states that fully recognize common-law marriages are:
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
The states that allow common-law marriages established before a specific date are:
- Pennsylvania (Jan 1, 2005)
- Ohio (Oct 10, 1991)
- Indiana (Jan 1, 1958)
- Georgia (Jan 1, 1997)
- Florida (Jan 1, 1968)
- Alabama (Jan 1, 2017)
It is impossible to establish your marriage in a state where it has been legally banned by the government. The only way you can get married under common law is if you and your spouse move to a state that allows it and validate your relationship there.
According to the law, if a couple established a common-law marriage in a state that recognizes it, all the other states are required to recognize the marriage. The law of the state where the marriage was originally established and validated will determine the existence of your relationship.
Eight states in America still allow such marriages, and you still have time to grab this opportunity. We would suggest you not waste time and get married as soon as possible as the number of states that allow common-law marriages only keep on decreasing with time.
While the process of moving to a whole other state just to establish your marriage can seem hectic, it does the work. To make the process a little less complex, make sure you hire an attorney to explain the details to you.
Shifting to another state can be a stressful process. You may need to leave your job, family, and friends. An experienced lawyer can assist and guide you through the process and protect you from making any mistakes that delay the process.