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Utah recognizes unsolemnized marriage under Utah Code 30-1-4.5 / 81-2-408, but it requires a court order. File within one year after the relationship ends. The process is abolished after May 5, 2027.
Washington does not recognize common law marriage. RCW 26.04 requires a license. Washington does recognize the committed intimate relationship (CIR) for property division, and recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages.
Texas recognizes common-law marriage as "informal marriage" under Tex. Fam. Code section 2.401. Learn the three requirements, the Declaration of Informal Marriage option, and the 2-year separation rule.
South Dakota does not recognize new common law marriages. SDCL 25-1-29 abolished formation after July 1, 1959. South Dakota does recognize valid out-of-state CLMs.
Virginia does not recognize common law marriage formed within the state. Va. Code section 20-13 requires a license and solemnization. Virginia does recognize a valid common law marriage formed in another state.
Tennessee does not allow couples to form a common-law marriage. Under Tenn. Code Ann. section 36-4-104, marriage requires a license. Tennessee does recognize valid common-law marriages from other states.
South Carolina abolished new common law marriages on July 24, 2019, in Stone v. Thompson. Pre-2019 CLMs remain valid but require clear and convincing proof. Learn the rules.
Ohio abolished common law marriage on October 10, 1991 under ORC 3105.12. Pre-cutoff Ohio CLMs remain valid. Ohio recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages.
North Dakota does not recognize common law marriage formed in-state. NDCC 14-03-10 requires a license and solemnization. North Dakota does recognize valid out-of-state common law marriages.
North Carolina has never recognized common law marriage formation. N.C.G.S. Section 51-1 requires a ceremony. NC recognizes valid out-of-state CLMs. Learn the rules.
Oregon does not recognize common law marriage -- ORS Chapter 106 requires a license and ceremony. Learn what rights unmarried partners have in Oregon and when Oregon recognizes out-of-state common law marriages.
Rhode Island still recognizes new common law marriages under Sardonis v. Sardonis (1970). Learn the two-part test, how to prove it, the 7-year myth, and how a CLM ends.