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Common Law Marriage and Coverage

Rhode Island is one of a few states that recognizes Common Law Marriages. And if your company offers family coverage, you need to know who qualifies.
The most common misperception is that a relationship lasting seven years or more is considered a common law marriage. Not true. Under RI law, a common law marriage occurs when the parties intend to enter into a "husband and wife" relationship, conduct themselves as if they are husband and wife, consider themselves to be married, and represent themselves in the community to be "husband and wife" to such a degree that their friends, relatives and others believe them to be married. The common law requirements include some form of exchange of vows or present intentions to actually be husband and wife. The parties mutually consent and contract to become husband and wife now, not at some future time.

A bonafide common law marriage makes a couple eligible for family coverage. To qualify, we require that the couple complete and sign in the presence of a Notary Public an affidavit testifying to their common law status. (Email Customer Service for an affidavit.) The completed affidavit is then submitted along with the employee's Enrollment Form.