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Connecticut Law About Marriage
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Research Guides

   Connecticut Public Acts and Current Orders

Research guide prepared by the Connecticut Judicial Branch law librarians:

OLR Research Reports - Office of Legislative Research: 

  • Race Requirements on Marriage Licenses - 2020-R-0061
    Provide information on (1) Connecticut's law that requires individuals to disclose their race on marriage license application forms and (2) a recent court challenge to a similar law in Virginia.

  • Justices of the Peace - 2016-R-0004
    How are justices of the peace selected and what are their duties?

  • Common-Law Marriage - 2013-R-0264
    You asked for (1) an overview of common-law marriage under Connecticut law, including palimony matters and (2) a summary of all states that allow common-law marriage.

  • Effect of Undissolved Civil Union on Subsequent Marriage - 2012-R-0409
    This backgrounder summarizes Elia-Warnken v. Elia, 463 Mass. 29 (2012), the case in which the Massachusetts Supreme Court invalidated a same-sex marriage because one of the celebrants was in an undissolved civil union when marriage took place.

  • States that Recognize Common Law Marriage - 2010-R-0112
    You asked (1) how many states recognize common law marriage and (1) the basic standards for forming them.

  • Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health - 2008-R-0585
    You asked us to summarize Kerrigan v. Department of Public Health, 289 Conn. 135 (2008), the recent state Supreme Court case holding it to be unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the right to marry.

  • License to Perform Marriage - 2006-R-0322
    You asked if a recently ordained minister must obtain a state or municipal license to perform marriages.

  • History of Civil Marriage in CT: Selected Changes - 2002-R-0850

Information from United Way 211 Connecticut:

U.S. Department of State International Judicial Assistance

Library Materials

Search the online catalog for availability and locations.  

  • Louise Truax, Editor, Connecticut Family Law, LexisNexis Practice Guide.
  • 7 Arnold H. Rutkin and Kathleen A. Hogan, Connecticut Practice Series, Family Law and Practice with Forms, 3rd edition. 
    • Chapter 3. Marriage Generally
  

    COVID-19 Executive Orders Affecting State and Local Government Operations and Elections - 2020-R-0112 (See Marriage Licenses, page 13)

    P.A. 17-54 - An Act Concerning the Legal Age to Marry in this State. [Summary]

    P.A. 15-214 - An Act Concerning the Validity of Marriages. [Summary]

    P.A. 09-13 - An Act Implementing the Guarantee of Equal Protection Under the Constitution of the State for Same Sex Couples. [Bill Analysis]

    • To implement the decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, provide for the recognition of marriages and relationships providing substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities entered into in another state or jurisdiction and provide for the merger of existing civil unions into marriages.

Connecticut Statutes

Selected Statutes:

Marriage - Chapter 815e

  • Sec. 46b-21. Marriage of persons related by consanguinity or affinity prohibited.

  • Sec. 46b-22. Who may join persons in marriage. Penalty for unauthorized performance. 

  • Sec. 46b-22a. Validation of marriages performed by unauthorized justice of the peace or family support referee.

  • Sec. 46b-23. Joining persons in marriage knowingly without authority.

  • Sec. 46b-24. License. Period of validity. Penalty for solemnization without license. Validity of marriage ceremony.

  • Sec. 46b-24a. Validation of marriage occurring in town other than town where license issued.

  • Sec. 46b-25. Application for license.

  • Sec. 46b-28. Validity of marriages celebrated in a foreign country.

  • Sec. 46b-28a. Recognition of marriages and other relationships entered into in another state or jurisdiction.

  • Sec. 46b-28b. Recognition by another state or jurisdiction of marriages entered into in this state.

  • Sec. 46b-29. Marriage of persons under conservatorship.

  • Sec. 46b-30. Marriage of minors.

Connecticut Case Law

U.S. Supreme Court Case Law

 Connecticut Law by Subject