Common-Law Marriage Guidelines

A common-law marriage relationship is defined as two adults of the opposite sex who have chosen to share their lives in an intimate and committed relationship, reside together and share mutual obligations of support for the basic necessities of life. To be recognized as a qualified as a qualified common-law relationship, the two individuals must attest to the fact that they are (1) living together; (2) mutually responsible for the costs of basic living expenses (financially interdependent); (3) not related by blood to a degree that would prohibit marriage; (4) are age 18 or older.

To document that the partners reside together, the parties must provide evidence such as: (1) a lease, deed or mortgage showing both partners as parties to the transaction; (2) drivers licenses for both partners showing the same address; (3) utility bills showing the same address; and/or (4) passports for both partners showing the same address.

To document that the partners are financially interdependent, the partners must provide evidence such as: (1) joint checking account; (2) credit cards with the same account number in both names; (3) copy of the most recent tax year federal tax return filed as “married filing jointly” or “married filing separately” and/or (4) joint wills.

Oklahoma recognized common law through case law as opposed to statute. The employee applicant and the partner must also sign and have notarized an official Statement for Common-Law Marriage available from Rulissa Trout with Maschino, Hudelson & Associates.

Employee may add common-law spouses only during the Annual Open Enrollment Period, or upon initial employment with the City of Oklahoma City as a firefighter. The Voluntary Employee Benefits Association (VEBA) Trust Board will review all applications and approve or deny based on the documentation the employee has provided.