Marriage Without the Hoopla! Texas Common Law Marriage is a Thing

Common Law Marriage does exist in Texas, but there is more to it than you might think.

Get our free mobile app

What is Common Law Marriage or Informal Marriage?

a legally recognized marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or had their marriage solemnized by a ceremony

When you think of Common Law Marriage, you think, "oh y'all have been together and lived together so you're Common Law. "

That's not exactly how it works. There are some things you do have to do and have to follow.

Here is what you have to do to be Common Law married:

You cannot already be married to anyone else at the time your marriage was created.
Each person in the marriage must be over 18 years of age when you created the marriage.
You both agree to be married
You have represented yourself in public as married
Live as a married couple

For your marriage to be legally recognized you'll need a Declaration of Informal Marriage.

If you don't want all the hoopla of a wedding, getting a marriage license or even going to the Justice of the Peace, all you have to do to be married, is say I am married to you, and your partner has to agree, you have to let friends, family, and the public know you're married, and you have to live together as a married couple. Congratulations, you're Common Law.