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District of Columbia: common law marriage

Whether your state lets couples form a marriage without a license or ceremony, and when states that ended it did so.

Can a new one be formed?Yes
StatusRecognized
LawEast v. East (D.C. 1988)

Every state recognizes a valid common law marriage formed in a state that allows it. Living together for a set number of years does not by itself create a marriage anywhere.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in District of Columbia.

How District of Columbia compares

8 of 51 states and DC share this answer (Yes): Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas.

Alaska: NoAKMaine: NoMEVermont: NoVTNew Hampshire: LimitedNHWashington: NoWAIdaho: No new onesIDMontana: YesMTNorth Dakota: NoNDMinnesota: No new onesMNIllinois: No new onesILWisconsin: No new onesWIMichigan: No new onesMINew York: No new onesNYRhode Island: YesRIMassachusetts: NoMAOregon: NoORNevada: No new onesNVWyoming: NoWYSouth Dakota: No new onesSDIowa: YesIAIndiana: No new onesINOhio: No new onesOHPennsylvania: No new onesPANew Jersey: No new onesNJConnecticut: NoCTCalifornia: NoCAUtah: LimitedUTColorado: YesCONebraska: NoNEMissouri: No new onesMOKentucky: NoKYWest Virginia: NoWVVirginia: NoVAMaryland: NoMDDelaware: NoDEArizona: NoAZNew Mexico: NoNMKansas: YesKSArkansas: NoARTennessee: NoTNNorth Carolina: NoNCSouth Carolina: No new onesSCDistrict of Columbia: YesDCOklahoma: YesOKLouisiana: NoLAMississippi: No new onesMSAlabama: No new onesALGeorgia: No new onesGAHawaii: NoHITexas: YesTXFlorida: No new onesFL
  • Yes (8)
  • Limited (2)
  • No / No new ones (41)

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How we checked this

Status comes from a statute- and case-cited 50-state table verified in June 2026 and matches FindLaw's list of recognizing states. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.