It's called common law marriage. The number is irrelevant to the truth value of my assertion. Yes it is. Husband and wife each have a legitimate expectation of performance from the other pursuant to the covenant, but the gov't has none whatsoever. It is not federal law in the US, but it is countenanced by any jurisdiction which presumes to codify it into law.
So it's still recognised in law then. So then your problem is with the word "contract." I thought that you were saying that the government never got involved in marriage. What is Obergefel if not federal law which mandates that states must recognise same sex marriage?
In some states, yes. A court ruling, which wouldn't qualify as law under the Constitution even if it didn't flout the Constitution.
How is Common LAW marriage not recognised in LAW by every state? Well it is effective law isn't it? Otherwise, why hasn't any state challenged it?
And why does that mean that you had no choice but to get the government involved in your marriage/relationship?
No state is obligated to do so. As far as that goes, no state is obligated to make any laws regarding marriage.
If a common law marriage is consummated in a state that recognizes it, and the couple moves to a state that does not, does that annul the marriage?
Exactly, you decided to get the government involved, even though you don't think that the government should be involved. That really makes a lot of sense.
