When a couple moves in together and especially if they are planning to get married, it is important they take the time to learn marriage laws. Even people who are not legally married may be considered as being partially married, for instance if they are common-law. If this is so, you will need to do your taxes differently and should be claiming yourself differently otherwise as well. It is surprising just how few people are actually aware of what their legal status is as a couple.
A couple is considered as falling under common-law marriage laws when they have been living together for a given amount of time or live together and have a child together. Common-law marriage is legally recognized in some jurisdictions. This means that you would technically be considered as married even if you had never gone through the process. A lot of people get common-law and ceremonial marriages confused but there are some important distinctions to be aware of.
Of course the most major difference is that the common-law marriages are not actually licensed by the government authorities. While you can be common-law marriage just by living with someone, if you actually want to be married you will need to go through the whole process. If you actually want to be married then you would need to say the vows and go through with an actual marriage ceremony. This makes it a lot more fun as well.
You can either check on this through the local head of government or by going online. By finding out the different marriage laws that apply in your state this is the only way that you will know what laws apply when you get married. Whether you are in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship, you will want to keep on top of this and make sure that you always know what the laws are. Marriage laws for transsexuals are much different and it depends on whether you have gone through reassignment surgery or not.
No matter what the laws may be on marriage, the most important thing is that you love the other person. You can also find information easily online by doing a search. Above all else though, the most important thing is that you are in it for the long run. This is the most special day in your life and you want to make sure that it goes perfectly.