Sixteen states recognize common law marriages, though several of these states have repealed their laws and only recognize these marriages entered into prior to a certain date. Unmarried cohabitants should check with the state and local laws in their jurisdictions to determine what rights may be available to them.

ALABAMA: The state recognizes common law marriages.

ALASKA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

ARIZONA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

ARKANSAS: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

CALIFORNIA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

COLORADO: The state recognizes common law marriages.

CONNECTICUT: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

DELAWARE: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

FLORIDA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

GEORGIA: The state recognizes common law marriages entered into before January 1, 1997.

HAWAII: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

IDAHO: The state recognizes common law marriages enter into before January 1, 1996.

ILLINOIS: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

INDIANA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

IOWA: The state recognizes common law marriages.

KANSAS: The state recognizes common law marriages.

KENTUCKY: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

LOUISIANA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MAINE: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MARYLAND: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MASSACHUSETTES: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MICHIGAN: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MINNESOTA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MISSISSIPPI: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MISSOURI: The state does not recognize common law marriages.

MONTANA: The state recognizes common law marriages.

NEBRASKA: The state does not recognize common law marriages.