A common law marriage happens when a man and a woman, both 18 and over:
- agree to be married
- live together as husband and wife; and
- represent to other people that they are married
There is no set time period for two people to be together to be considered common law married.
A common law marriage may also occur if a man and a woman, both 18 and over, sign a Declaration of Informal Marriage provided by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or the County Clerk.