common-law marriage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Only eight states recognize common-law marriage, and California is not one of them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2024

Murray said the bad blood is rooted in a common-law marriage between his sister and Sottile’s brother.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2017

Knight, a confederate army deserter, was in a common-law marriage with a former slave.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2015

This was just enough time to run down to the courthouse for a civil ceremony, which formalized what was already a common-law marriage.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2013

In our own law and usage a common-law marriage is valid, but people of dignified and serious conduct, still more people of religious feeling, do not seek the minimum which the law will enforce.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by Sumner, William Graham