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Washington D.C. Common Law Marriage

What is Common-Law Marriage in the District of Columbia?

Common-law marriage is a situation where two persons living in Washington D.C can get married without having to conduct a formal marriage. The District of Columbia allows for common law marriages to be created within the jurisdiction. It also provides for the recognition of common-law marriages created in other states or jurisdictions. Washington D.C allows for the creation of common law marriages as per state statutes. This statute gives legitimacy to all kinds of marriages formed in the District of Columbia, so long as:

  • The two persons involved in the marriage are not closely related in a manner that would invalidate the marriage.
  • The persons involved are not married to another person
  • The two persons involved are above the age of consent of 16.

To successfully contract a common-law marriage in the District of Columbia, the union must meet the following criteria:

  • The two persons involved must share a current mutual and express agreement to be married to each other. This would include referring to each other as husband and wife or spouse. Couples can also file taxes jointly, state each other in wills, or name each other as survivors or beneficiaries in relevant legal papers.
  • The two persons involved must cohabit and live together.
  • Parties must have the mental and physical capacity to agree to a marriage, must be above the age of consent of 16, and must not be in any marriage with any other party at the time of the contraction of the common-law marriage.

For common-law marriages contracted outside the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, such a marriage must have been contracted following the rules and regulations guiding the formation of common law marriage in the originating jurisdiction. The burden of proof is solely on the couple to show that they met all the criteria necessary to have formed the common-law marriage.

Marriage in District of Columbia

In 2019, the marriage rate in the District of Columbia was 7.8 marriages per 1,000. This figure was higher than the federal average of 6.1 marriages per 1,000. The divorce rate in the District of Columbia was 2.4 marriages per 1,000, which was lower than the national average of 2.7 marriages per 1,000.

Does the District of Columbia Recognize Common-Law Marriages?

The District of Columbia recognizes common-law marriages contracted in the jurisdiction where such marriages are legally recognized. The marriages must follow the laid down rules and regulations regarding common law marriages in the jurisdiction where it was held. Common law marriages are valid if the parties are not below the age of consent, are not related by blood in a way that invalidates the marriage, and are physically and mentally able to get into such a marriage agreement.

Common law marriages in the jurisdiction attract the same rights and privileges that would normally accrue to a civil marriage contracted in the District of Columbia. Since common law marriage is no different in the eyes of the law to other forms of marriage, common-law marriage offers an inexpensive and easier way to get into marriages in the District of Columbia.

What Is a Domestic Partnership in the District of Columbia?

A domestic partnership is a relationship between “domestic partners” where both parties maintain a committed relationship, familial relationship, mutual care sharing, and a mutual residence. To be recognized as domestic partners in the District of Columbia, both partners must register with the District of Columbia as per state statutes - §32–702. Domestic partnership registration and termination procedures. The registration guideline stipulates that the domestic partners involved must be at least 18, able to get into a contract, be the sole domestic partner of the other person, and must not be married.

A domestic partnership ends when either party files a termination with the mayor and upon a judicial decree terminating the marriage, or the other domestic partner has left the mutual residence for more than six months. It may also end if either partner dies or by a judicial decree declaring the domestic partnership null and void.

What Is a Cohabitation Agreement in the District of Columbia?

A cohabitation agreement is an agreement detailing the terms and conditions of a relationship. A cohabitation agreement cannot stipulate child custody or child support obligations after the termination of a relationship. In the District of Columbia, a cohabitation agreement can serve as an instrument to state that a couple does not wish to be married. This is important in determining the validity of common law marriages in cases of termination of such a marriage.

District of Columbia Common-Law Marriage and Palimony

When an unmarried couple in a “committed intimate relationship” terminates their relationship, the District of Columbia courts can decide to share assets and liabilities fairly and equitably. The courts have a sole responsibility to administer and share assets and liabilities of unmarried couples in the District of Columbia.

What Are the Requirements for a Common-Law Marriage in the District of Columbia?

The requirements for the common law to be recognized in the District of Columbia are as follows:

  • The two parties must be of age and must be of legal and sufficient age to enter into marriage.
  • The two parties must not be in a marriage.
  • There must be a mutual agreement by both parties to enter into marriage.
  • The two parties must cohabit as man and wife.
  • The two parties must make attempts to show themselves to their immediate community as husband and wife.
  • The two parties must not be related by blood.
  • There must be a current intent and agreement to marry.

The couple must prove their marriage by providing and documenting proof of all of the above.

How Many Years Do You Have to Live Together for Common-Law Marriage in the District of Columbia?

In the District of Columbia, there are no time restrictions or limitations on how long couples must live together before their common-law marriage is viewed as legal in the eyes of the law. However, to contract a common-law marriage, the couple must meet the requirements stipulated by the statutes of the District of Columbia.

What Is an Informal Marriage in the District of Columbia?

Informal marriage is a term that is equivalent to common-law marriages in Texas law. The statutes of Texas - Texas Code section 2.401 -2.405 describes informal marriages and their implications in Texas. Common-law marriages and informal marriages in Texas are similar in terms of implications and guidelines, although the District of Columbia does not use the term.

What Does it Mean to Be Legally Free to Marry in the District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia permits adults who are not related by blood to get married so long as such a marriage does not contravene any state legislature. Any person that meets the above criteria is legally free and allowed to marry in the District of Columbia.

What Is Intent to Marry in the District of Columbia?

In the District of Columbia, a couple must show intent to marry by acting like a couple, filing taxes together, living together, and showing themselves to the community as husband and wife. Intent to marry is very key to determining the validity of common-law marriages in the District of Columbia.

How Do You Prove Common-Law Marriage in the District of Columbia?

In the District of Columbia, common-law marriages are proven by documents like - wills, documents stating spouses as beneficiaries, and next of kin. The union can also be proven by financial documents, news articles, and other relevant documents. Documents that can aid in proving common-law marriages include:

  • Joint mortgage filing, joint property tax identification, or joint tenancy agreements enacted in the other jurisdiction
  • Joint bank account details
  • Joint liabilities such as credit cards, joint mortgage
  • Joint ownership of property such as vehicles, real estate, boats, planes, etc.
  • Written agreements indicating obligations
  • Wills and other such documents

Couples can also prove cohabitation and mutual residency by providing the following documents:

  • Proof of residency
  • Identification cards or passports indicating similar addresses

Third-party websites provide an alternative to obtaining public vital records. These non-governmental platforms come with intuitive search tools that help simplify the process of accessing single or multiple records. However, record availability on third-party sites tends to vary because they’re independent of government sources. To obtain public marriage records, requesters may need to provide:

  • The full name of both spouses ((include first, middle, and last names)
  • The date the marriage occurred (month, date and year)
  • The location where the marriage occurred (city and county)

Do Common-Law Marriages Require a Divorce?

Common law marriages in the District of Columbia cannot be terminated based on mutual consent alone. Common-law marriages must be terminated by a divorce procedure in the District of Columbia. Common-law marriages attract the same rights, privileges, and obligations as other kinds of marriages contracted in the District of Columbia. A divorce proceeding must be conducted to mark the end of any common-law marriage contracted in the District of Columbia.

Does a Common-Law Wife Have Rights in the District of Columbia?

Common-law wives have all the rights that should accrue to a formal marriage conducted in the District of Columbia. This is because of state statutes - Chapter 4. Marriage - § 46–401. Equal access to marriage stipulates that all marriages contracted within the confines of the law attract the rights and privileges given to married persons in the state.

Can a Common-Law Wife Collect Social Security in the District of Columbia?

The right to collect social security is guaranteed to common-law spouses in the District of Columbia so long as the claimant is older than 62 years. This right ensures that wives are taken care of in the case of the demise of a spouse and old age.

Are Common-Law Wives Entitled to Half in the District of Columbia?

The District of Columbia does not enforce a 50/50 property sharing right. A family judge is responsible for examining divorce cases and allocating assets between parties fairly and equitably.

How Do You Get a Common-Law Marriage Affidavit in the District of Columbia?

There are no clear-cut methods stipulated in the state statutes for retrieving a common-law affidavit in the District of Columbia. However, the District of Columbia courts provide an option for applying online for a marriage license. The courts in the District of Columbia also allow for the retrieval of marriage certificates after the online completion of the marriage records order form.

What Is Considered Common-Law Marriage in the District of Columbia?

Common-law marriage is a legal situation where a couple can identify as husband and wife without going through a formal state or religious proceeding to solemnize such a marriage. It is very legal in the District of Columbia and offers a cheaper alternative to creating a marriage union in the District of Columbia.

Is a Domestic Partnership the Same As a Common-Law Marriage?

Although domestic partnerships and common-law marriages are legal in the District of Columbia, domestic partnerships created in the jurisdiction do not confer the same rights as would a common-law marriage. However, common-law marriages attract all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that would usually accrue to civil marriage in the District of Columbia.

Does the Federal Government Recognize District of Columbia Common-Law Marriage

Common law marriages contracted in the District of Columbia are legal and are rightly recognized by the federal government as legal marriages. Other states that allow for the creation of common law marriages include - South Carolina, Texas, New Hampshire, Utah, Rhode Island, Kansas, Iowa, Montana, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Common-law marriages contracted in the above-named states are duly recognized by the federal government.