About a dozen or so states in the United States recognize what is known as "common law marriages." Under the common law marriage system, a formal ceremony is not required for there to be a valid marriage. Instead, common law marriage has the following three requirements:

• Present agreement: The couple must have an agreement to marry. No particular types of words or contracts are required. The actions of the parties, however, must show that the parties held the intent to be married couples.

• Cohabitation: Couple must live together for a certain period of time. It is unclear how long the couple must stay together. A few courts have considered a brief cohabitation to be sufficient.

• Holding Out: The couple must have the reputation in the community of being married. This element can be met if the couple have same last names, wear wedding rights, etc.