Types of Marriages

The different types of marriages include a ceremonial marriage, common law marriage, putative marriage, successive marriage and proxy marriage.

Ceremonial Marriage-
The traditional marriage in the United States is a ceremonial marriage.

Common Law Marriage-
A common law marriage is an agreement between a man and a woman to enter into a marital relationship, to cohabitate, and who hold themselves out as husband and wife without complying with the formalities of a ceremonial marriage. Only thirteen states currently allow common law marriages. These include Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and in the District of Columbia.
If a common law marriage is created, it is recognized as valid by most other states. If the couple separates they must obtain a divorce to terminate their legal relationship because of this.

Putative Marriage-
A putative marriage is one in which at least one of the parties contracted to marry in good faith and without knowledge that some legal impediment existed to prevent a valid marriage. In a putative marriage, the innocent spouse makes a good faith commitment and goes through the ceremonial requirements for marriage.

Successive Marriages-
When a party is still married in the eyes of the state and marries another person, successive marriage exists. When there is evidence of more than one marriage, the law presumes the most recent one to be valid. This presumption may be rebutted by proof from the first spouse that the marriage never was terminated legally.

Proxy Marriage-
A proxy marriage is contracted or solemnized by one or more agents of the parties rather than by the parties themselves. These types of marriages are more likely during a war.