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Does Nevada recognize common law marriages?

By Todd Butterworth
NO

According to the Legislative Counsel Bureau, Nevada does not recognize common law marriages begun after March 29, 1943. The National Conference of State Legislatures defines a common law marriage as "a legally recognized marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or had their marriage solemnized by a ceremony."

Since 2009, Nevada has recognized domestic partnerships, which confer most of the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriages, although a domestic partner cannot be covered by their partner's health insurance. Individuals who are not already in a marriage or domestic partnership, are over the age of 18, are not close relatives, and share a residence are eligible to enter into a domestic partnership.

As of March 2020, eight states recognized common law marriage. Six states allow domestic partnerships, while an additional five permit for civil unions, another type of legal union.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Conference of State Legislatures Common Law Marriage by State
National Conference of State Legislatures Civil Unions and Domestic Partnership Statutes
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