Video:Common Law Marriage Requirements
with Sheri & Bob StritofMany people assume that living together for a long period of time qualifies them for common law marriage, but it's not that simple. Learn about the requirements for common law marriage.
Transcript:Common Law Marriage Requirements
Common-law marriage is not as common as many people believe. Living together does not mean you have a common-law marriage. There are strict requirements that have to be met for common-law marriages to be considered valid.Common Law Marriage in the United States
Additionally, only a few states in the United States recognize common-law marriages. Ascertain if the state/country you are living in recognizes common-law marriages. Only a few states plus the District of Columbia recognize common-law marriages.Requirements for Common Law Marriage
Generally, there are four requirements for a valid common-law marriage. Just living together isn't enough to validate a common-law marriage.Requirement One for Common Law Marriage
You must live together.Requirement Two for Common Law Marriage
You must present yourselves to others as a married couple. Some ways of doing this are by using the same last name, referring to one another as husband or wife, and filing a joint tax return.Requirement Three for Common Law Marriage
Although the time frame is not defined, you have to be together for a significant period of time.Requirement Four for Common Law Marriage
You must intend to be married.Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit About.com