Alabama To End Common-Law Marriage In 2017

A recently signed bill will make it illegal for couples to enter common-law marriages starting in 2017.

All common-law marriages established before 2017 will still count but moving forward, couples will no longer be able to make a matrimonial agreement between them.

There is no time frame for a couple to live together to declare themselves to be common-law married which is contrary to current held beliefs about the criteria.

Attorney Brian Huff told WVTM there are three criteria: both parties must be eligible for marriage, evidence of intention to be married has to exist, such as filing joint taxes and the marriage has to have been consummated.

Current laws make it possible to become common-law married within one day Huff said.

Beginning January 1, 2017, couples who want Alabama to legally recognize their marriages will have get a marriage certificate from a courthouse.