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North Carolina: 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?No
StatusNever allowed
LawN.C.G.S. 51-1

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 North Carolina.

How North Carolina compares

23 of 51 states and DC share this answer (No): Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming.

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)

Also for North Carolina: Medicaid long-term care in North Carolina · Small estate limits in North Carolina · Will and trust rules in North Carolina · Estate and inheritance tax in North Carolina · Property tax rates in North Carolina · Medicaid expansion in North Carolina · Inheritance tax in North Carolina · Social Security tax in North Carolina · All North Carolina rules on one page

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.