In West Virginia, a Common Law Spouse or Marriage Declaration or Affidavit is a legal document that helps individuals establish their status as a common law spouse or to prove the existence of a common law marriage. Common law marriage refers to a valid marriage that is not formally recorded or solemnized through a ceremonial marriage. To create a Common Law Spouse or Marriage Declaration or Affidavit in West Virginia, individuals need to provide specific details and evidence. This document serves as a declaration of their relationship status and helps protect their rights and benefits as a married couple in the absence of a formal marriage license. There is no specific type of Common Law Spouse or Marriage Declaration or Affidavit in West Virginia, but it generally requires the following information: 1. Identifying Details: Both partners must provide their full legal names, addresses, contact information, date of birth, and Social Security numbers. 2. Relationship Duration: The affidavit should include the date when the couple initially started living together as well as the duration of their cohabitation, indicating the timeframe of their common law marriage. 3. Mutual Consent: Both individuals must declare that they have mutually consented to being married and have represented themselves as a married couple to others. 4. Public Declaration: The affidavit may require a statement indicating whether the couple has publicly declared themselves as married, such as introducing each other as spouses, filing joint tax returns, sharing bank accounts, or acquiring joint property. 5. Witnesses: It is usually necessary to have at least two witnesses who can confirm the existence of the common law marriage and the couple's intentions to be married. 6. Legal Acknowledgment: Both partners should affirm that they understand the legal implications of declaring their common law marriage and that they are aware of the rights and responsibilities that come with it. It is important to note that the requirements and specific content for a Common Law Spouse or Marriage Declaration or Affidavit may vary depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction within West Virginia. Consulting with an attorney or seeking legal advice is highly recommended ensuring compliance with the state's laws and requirements. In summary, a Common Law Spouse or Marriage Declaration or Affidavit in West Virginia is a document that allows individuals to establish their common law marriage. By providing essential details, such as relationship duration, mutual consent, public declarations, and witness testimonies, this legal document protects the rights and benefits of individuals in relationships recognized as common law marriages by the state of West Virginia.