Common-law marriage, also known as non-ceremonial, sui iuris, informal or de facto marriage, or marriage by habit and repute, is a marriage that results from a couple's agreement to consider themselves married, followed by cohabitation, rather than through a statutorily defined process. Not every jurisdiction permits common-law marriage, though most will respect the validity of one lawfully entered into in another jurisdiction.
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Common-law marriage and civil union are both institutions that grant some legal recognition to a couple relationship without a formal marriage ceremony.
Historic Scottish handfasting functioned as a form of trial or common-law marriage, cohabitation under a public pledge preceding or substituting for formal solemnization.
Common-law marriage is an informally constituted alternative to solemnized marriage, recognized in some jurisdictions after a period of cohabitation.
Sources
Common-Law Marriage (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sectionQuote, Lead section
Common-law marriage, also known as non-ceremonial marriage, sui iuris marriage, informal marriage, de facto marriage, more uxorio, or marriage by habit and repute, is a marriage that results from the parties' agreement to consider themselves married, followed by cohabitation, rather than through a statutorily defined process.
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