(TASTEOFCOUNTRY.COM) According to the National Conference of State Legislature a common law marriage means you're considered legally married without having a marriage license or a ceremony, and yes, you do get the same rights as a couple who took the traditional method according to Unmarried Equality.
If you live in one of the following 10 states and/or Washington, D.C. you can have a common law marriage. This means as long as you live as if you're married by telling the community you're married, calling each other husband and wife, using the same last name, and filing joint income tax returns to name a few things.
- Colorado
- Washington, DC
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Montana
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- South Carolina
- Oklahoma
According to The Knot website, each state and D.C. may have some specific requirements as well.
Read More: Did You Know Common Law Marriage Only Exists in 10 States?