How legal is common law marriage?

The legality of common law marriage varies by jurisdiction. In the United States, for example, only a minority of states recognize common law marriage. In states that do recognize it, couples must generally demonstrate that they have lived together for a certain period of time, intend to be married, and hold themselves out to the public as a married couple. Once a common law marriage is established, the couple is treated as legally married for all purposes, including property rights and estate planning. Other countries have different rules regarding common law marriage or similar relationships. In Canada, for instance, common law relationships are recognized after cohabitation for a certain period of time. It’s important to understand the specific laws in the relevant jurisdiction regarding common law marriage, and to be aware that not all jurisdictions recognize these unions.