Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: Common Law Marriage

There is no common law marriage in Washington State. The only common law marriages that are recognized in Washington are those that have been achieved in other states where such marriages are recognized. However, all of the requirements for such a marriage must have been met in that other state before the couple moves to Washington. In Washington, couples living together are viewed by the courts as a domestic partnership and if the couple ends their relationship, then property and debts are divided along the lines of a partnership analysis.