How must a couple married under common law in another state be treated in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a couple married under common law in another state is treated as having a legitimate marriage. This means that North Carolina recognizes the validity of the marriage if it was validly established in the state where the couple lived, even though North Carolina itself does not permit new common law marriages to be formed.

The legitimate status is essential for various legal purposes, including rights related to property, inheritance, and family law. Therefore, a couple with a valid common law marriage from another state retains their marital status in North Carolina, which allows them the same legal rights and responsibilities as couples married through traditional means.

The other responses do not apply because they either incorrectly devalue or mischaracterize the couple's legal marriage status. Thus, recognizing them as having a legitimate marriage aligns with the principles of acknowledging marital rights and responsibilities across state lines.