{"id":376528,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/common-law-marriage-in-texas.html"},"modified":"2019-12-27T14:17:31","modified_gmt":"2019-12-27T19:17:31","slug":"common-law-marriage-in-texas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/common-law-marriage-in-texas.html","title":{"rendered":"Common Law Marriage in Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Common Law Marriage in Texas<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A valid common law marriage<\/a> in Texas is where a couple legally is married without getting a marriage license or having a marriage ceremony. Once established, a common law marriage has the same legal effect as a ceremonial marriage. Under Texas law<\/a>, to have a common law marriage, you must do three things:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Agree to be married<\/li>\r\n
  2. Live together as a couple<\/li>\r\n
  3. Tell others ("hold yourselves out") that you are married<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    In What Ways Do People \u201cHold Themselves Out\u201d as Married<\/b>?<\/h2>\r\n

    Simply put, by telling others that they are married. Examples of telling other people you are married include:<\/p>\r\n