Please check your state though - in Ohio Common Law marriages were done away with in 1989 (or some year around then...) There is no such thing around here any longer. Check your state law.

P

I noticed you live in Texas. You're in luck, as Texas recognizes common law marriage and it sounds like you fit the criteria:

"Three elements must be present to form a common law marriage in Texas.
First, you must have "agreed to be married."
Second, you must have "held yourselves out" as husband and wife. You must have represented to others that you were married to each other. As an example of this, you may have introduced you partner socially as "my husband," or you may have filed a joint income tax return.
Third, you must have lived together in this state as husband and wife."

I copied that from the web page below. Click on the link for more details...