So, does South Carolina have common law marriage anymore?

If you've been living with your partner for a long time and wondering, "does south carolina have common law marriage," the answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. For decades, South Carolina was one of the few states where you could basically wake up one day and be considered legally married just because you acted like it. But things changed big time in 2019. Nowadays, if you're looking to start a common law marriage, you're essentially out of luck, but if you were already in one before the law shifted, you might still be "grandfathered" in. ...

May 3, 2026 · 7 min · Jaimee Grupo