Common Law Marriage in Iowa

In Iowa, a common law marriage is identical to traditional marriage except it takes place without a state-authorized ceremony. The necessary elements of a common law marriage are:

(a) the intention of both parties (freely given) to become married,

(b) the parties both hold themselves out to the public to be husband and wife,

(c) both parties continuously live together as husband and wife (which includes consummation of the marriage), and

(d) both parties must be capable of entering into the marriage relationship. No special time limit is necessary to establish a common law marriage. (IA 425.17).