Summary
- In 2026, new common law marriages can be formed in eight states and the District of Columbia, including Colorado, Iowa, and Texas.
- States like Utah require court orders for recognition, while New Hampshire has limited recognition for inheritance after death.
- Common law marriage requires mutual agreement, cohabitation, and public representation as spouses—there's no "seven-year rule."
- Valid common law marriages grant full marital rights, but ending them necessitates a formal divorce.
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