No, a couple cannot enter into a common law marriage in Arizona. Some states do recognize common law marriages between a man and a woman. When a couple has a valid common law marriage in another state, and later moves to Arizona, their marriage may be recognized here. In that situation, a divorce of the common law marriage is possible in Arizona.
The District of Columbia and the following 15 states allow couples to create common law marriages:
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Georgia — only if created before Jan. 1, 1997
- Idaho — only if created before Jan. 1, 1996
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Montana
- New Hampshire — only for inheritance purposes
- Ohio — only if created before Oct. 10, 1991
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania — only if created before Jan. 1, 2005
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
Related posts:
- 25-312. Dissolution of Marriage The court shall enter a decree of dissolution of marriage if it finds each of the following: 1. That one of the parties, at the time the action was commenced,...
- How and where is a petition for dissolution of marriage filed? To get a divorce, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed with the Superior Court in the county where the petitioner or the respondent resides. Unless a fee waiver...
- What is a covenant marriage? In contrast to a standard marriage, a covenant marriage has additional requirements and formalities. The marriage license reflects the couple’s covenant election. Entering into a covenant marriage requires premarital counseling....
- Is free marriage counseling available to Arizona couples? Yes, free counseling is available to married couples through the Family Court’s Conciliation Services. This marital counseling is available when either spouse wants to attempt reconciliation or resolution of the...
- 25-314. Pleadings for Dissolution of Marriage A. The verified petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation shall allege that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that one or both of the parties...
