North Dakota Cohabitation

United States: Polygamy is illegal in all 50 states however in Utah, in February 2020, the law was significantly changed in the House and Senate to reduce polygamy to the status of a traffic ticket.4 It is still illegal federally according to the Edmunds Act.

In light of these dramatic social changes, you may be surprised to learn that cohabitation is technically still illegal in 4 U.S. states. As it currently stands, Mississippi, Michigan, Florida, and Virginia currently have laws on the books banning cohabitation.

Five states allow for civil unions: Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont and New Jersey. California, District of Columbia, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin allow for domestic partnerships while Hawaii allows for a similar relationship known as reciprocal beneficiaries.

Under the California Insurance Equity Act, carriers can only require documentation of domestic partnership if they also require proof of marriage.Employers may allow employees to add their domestic partner to their coverage outside of the open enrollment period when they enter into a new domestic partnership mid-year.

Polygamous marriages violate the strong public policy of North Dakota. In situations where polygamy has occurred, the first marriage is considered valid in North Dakota if the marriage meets the criteria in #1, 2 or 3 above. Any additional spouse(s) claimed after the first marriage are considered non-relatives.

Common ownership of a car or other property (joint deed or mortgage agreement) Driver's licenses listing a common address. Proof of joint bank accounts or credit card accounts and loans.

A North Dakota partnership (domestic partnership) is composed of two or more partners. A foreign partnership is a partnership created under laws other than the laws of North Dakota. More information regarding the types of partnerships is available through the links below: General Partnership.

Unlike other states, court orders for marriage between underage persons are not given.Common law marriage is not recognized in North Dakota. This is when a couple lives together as man and wife without the benefit of a legal marriage. Cousins are not allowed to marry in North Dakota.

Legal status In California, such couples are defined as people who "have chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring," including having a "common residence, and are the same sex or persons of opposite sex if one or both of the persons are over the age of 62".