[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 20, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 20CFR222.13] [Page 432] TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS CHAPTER II--RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD PART 222_FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS--Table of Contents Subpart B_Relationship as Wife, Husband, or Widow(er) Sec. 222.13 Common-law marriage relationship. Under the laws of some States, a common-law marriage is one which is not solemnized in a formal ceremony, but is generally evidenced by a consummated agreement to marry between two persons legally capable of making a marriage contract, followed by cohabitation. The laws of the various States which recognize common-law marriage delineate specific factors which must be present in order to establish a valid common-law marriage in those States.