Living together and marriage - legal differences

Summary

As a charity, your donation helps us provide free advice to the millions of people who need us. Donate to support our work. Although there is no legal definition of living together, it generally means to live together as a couple without being married. Couples who live together are sometimes called common-law partners. This is just another way of saying a couple are living together. You might be able to formalise aspects of your status with a partner by drawing up a legal agreement called a cohabitation contract or living together agreement. A living together agreement outlines the rights and obligations of each partner towards each other. If you make a living together agreement, you should also make a legal agreement about how you share your property - this is called a ‘declaration of trust’. If you want to make a living together agreement or a declaration of trust, you should get help from a family law solicitor. You can contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help to find a solicitor. You can choose a civil or religious marriage, but in some cases, a religious marriage alone will not be valid and you will also need a civil marriage. * a certified copy of an entry in a UK.

Key information

• •a certified copy of an entry in a UK register of marriages; or
• •a marriage certificate issued in the country where the marriage took place.
• •rent from a private landlord
• •rent from the council or a housing association
• •there is a conflict of interest between you, for example, you are on opposing sides in the court case, or
• •you live apart and at least one of you considers the relationship to be over.
• •cases of domestic violence against you
• •cases involving violence against someone under 16
• •cases involving a sexual offence against someone under 16.
• •As a charity, your donation helps us provide free advice to the millions of people who need us. Donate to support our work.
• •Although there is no legal definition of living together, it generally means to live together as a couple without being married. Couples who live together are sometimes called common-law partners. This is just another way of saying a couple are living together.
• •You might be able to formalise aspects of your status with a partner by drawing up a legal agreement called a cohabitation contract or living together agreement. A living together agreement outlines the rights and obligations of each partner towards each other. If you make a living together agreement, you should also make a legal agreement about how you share your property - this is called a ‘declaration of trust’.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Living together and marriage - legal differences](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/living-together-marriage-and-civil-partnership/living-together-and-marriage-legal-differences/)

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