You may be able to file as Married Filing Jointly if you live in a state that recognizes common law marriage. Currently, the following jurisdictions recognize common law marriage:
Colorado
District of Columbia
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
New Hampshire
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Alabama (2017), Georgia(1997), Idaho(1996), Ohio(Oct. 1991), and Pennsylvania(2005) are grandfathered for the marriages before the year indicated. Living together in a common law state is usually insufficient - you need to hold yourself out as married including owning property together, having joint bank accounts, etc. To find out your state’s rules see:
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common-law_marriage_in_the_United_States">https://en.wikipedia.org/wik...>
