Pennsylvania was one of the very few states that recognized a common law marriage. In a recent PA court decision, the court overruled the concept of common law marriage prospective to the court decision. Marriages that qualified prior to the court decision as valid are still valid. For a complete analysis, click here for the court decision. A "common law marriage" is one in which the parties may hold themselves out as a husband and wife, and under certain circumstances, be deemed married without a marriage license or ceremony.