HB332 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Common law marriage, abolished, on or after January 1, 2017, prior marriages recognized

Summary

The bill ends new common-law marriages in Alabama starting January 1, 2017, while keeping valid pre-2017 common-law marriages in place.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits entering into a new common-law marriage on or after January 1, 2017. It preserves and continues to recognize any common-law marriage that was entered into before January 1, 2017. It becomes effective on January 1, 2017.

Who It Affects

• People who might otherwise form a common-law marriage after January 1, 2017: they would not be able to enter into a new common-law marriage in Alabama.
• People who were in a common-law marriage before January 1, 2017: their existing marriage remains valid and recognized.

Key Provisions

• No common-law marriage may be entered into in this state on or after January 1, 2017.
• An otherwise valid common-law marriage entered into before January 1, 2017 shall continue to be valid in the state.
• The act takes effect January 1, 2017.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Marriage