20 CFR § 222.13 - Common-law marriage relationship.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s222.13"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 222.13 - Common-law marriage relationship."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "222.13"
section_name: "Common-law marriage relationship."
chapter_name: "RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT"
part_number: "222"
part_name: "FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "45 U.S.C. 231f."
regulatory_source: "54 FR 42949, Oct. 19, 1989, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "222"
---


# 222.13 Common-law marriage relationship.

Under the laws of some States, a common-law marriage is one which is not solemnized in a formal ceremony, but is generally evidenced by a consummated agreement to marry between two persons legally capable of making a marriage contract, followed by cohabitation. The laws of the various States which recognize common-law marriage delineate specific factors which must be present in order to establish a valid common-law marriage in those States.