Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Missouri has impressed me

Mo. Town Denies Unmarried Couple Permit

2 comments:

PB said...

I thought that after so many years of residing under the same roof the couple became "common law" married?

Anonymous said...

pb- great point to bring up.
Not all states recognize/approve common law marriage.
I found this information:
Not every state permits common law marriages. For example, Michigan has elimated common law marriage by statute, and no period of cohabitation will result in marriage. At the same time, where a couple became married under the common law of a different state or country, their marriage is likely to be recognized even in a state such as Michigan. The "full faith and credit" rule of the U.S. Constitution ordinarily compels the recognition of a marriage made valid under the laws of a sister state.

Not every state permits common law marriages. For example, Michigan has elimated common law marriage by statute, and no period of cohabitation will result in marriage. At the same time, where a couple became married under the common law of a different state or country, their marriage is likely to be recognized even in a state such as Michigan. The "full faith and credit" rule of the U.S. Constitution ordinarily compels the recognition of a marriage made valid under the laws of a sister state.

States Permitting Common Law Marriage
Alabama
Colorado
District of Columbia
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
States Permitting Certain Common Law Marriages
Georgia (if the elements were satisfied before January 1, 1997)
Idaho (if the elements were satisfied before January 1, 1996)
New Hampshire (for inheritance only)
Ohio (if the elements were satisfied before October 10, 1991)



So apparently Missouri is one of the states that does not permit common law marriage. (which again impresses me)