Research Guides

• Marriage in Connecticut

• Common-Law Marriage - 2013-R-0264  You asked for (1) an overview of common-law marriage under Connecticut law, including palimony matters and (2) a summary of all states that allow common-law marriage.
• Effect of Undissolved Civil Union on Subsequent Marriage - 2012-R-0409  This backgrounder summarizes Elia-Warnken v. Elia, 463 Mass. 29 (2012), the case in which the Massachusetts Supreme Court invalidated a same-sex marriage because one of the celebrants was in an undissolved civil union when marriage took place.
• States that Recognize Common Law Marriage - 2010-R-0112
  You asked (1) how many states recognize common law marriage and (1) the basic standards for forming them.
• Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health - 2008-R-0585
  You asked us to summarize Kerrigan v. Department of Public Health, 289 Conn. 135 (2008), the recent state Supreme Court case holding it to be unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the right to marry.
• License to Perform Marriage - 2006-R-0322
  You asked if a recently ordained minister must obtain a state or municipal license to perform marriages.
• History of Civil Marriage in CT: Selected Changes - 2002-R-0850

• P.A. 09-13 - An Act Implementing the Guarantee of Equal Protection Under the Constitution of the State for Same Sex Couples. [Bill Analysis]

  • To implement the decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, provide for the recognition of marriages and relationships providing substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities entered into in another state or jurisdiction and provide for the merger of existing civil unions into marriages.

Selected Statutes:

Marriage - Chapter 815e

• Sec. 46b-21. Kindred who may not marry.
• Sec. 46b-22. Who may join persons in marriage. 
• Sec. 46b-22a. Validity of marriages performed by unauthorized justice of the peace.
• Sec. 46b-23. Joining persons in marriage knowingly without authority.
• Sec. 46b-24. License required. Period of validity. Penalty.
• Sec. 46b-24a. Validation of marriage occurring in town other than town where license issued.
• Sec. 46b-25. Application for license.
• Sec. 46b-28. When marriages in foreign country valid.
• Sec. 46b-28a. Recognition of marriages and other relationships entered into in another state or jurisdiction.
• Sec. 46b-28b. Recognition by another state or jurisdiction of marriages entered into in this state.
• Sec. 46b-29. Marriage of persons under conservatorship or guardianship.
• Sec. 46b-30. Marriage of minors.