State Senate opposes common-law marriages

Tuesday, May 11, 2004
BY JAN MURPHY
Of The Patriot-News
The century-old practice of a man and woman declaring themselves married in Pennsylvania without obtaining a license may be headed for the history books.

Legislation passed by the state Senate yesterday by 49-1 vote would ban couples from entering into common-law marriages after Jan. 1, 2005.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration, where it is likely to be altered to include more controversial regulations that would apply to same-sex couples.

Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that still recognize common-law marriage. Couples can declare themselves in one of these marriages by mutually expressing vows to each other and presenting themselves to others as a wedded couple, regardless of how long they have lived together.

more: http://www.pennlive.com/statehouse/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1084267207198190.xml