Feeling romantic? Today is your last chance to enter into a common law marriage with your significant other before a new state law abolishing the centuries old legal contract takes effect Jan. 1, 2017.  

The Alabama Legislature passed a bill this summer doing away with common-law marriage — which doesn’t require any license, but a just simple agreement between two adults of sound mind — at the suggestion of Cullman’s own Terri Willingham Thomas, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Judge. 

Any common law marriages entered into prior to Jan. 1, 2017 will be legally valid and recognized by authorities. There are three requirements for a common-law marriage: the couple must be of age and sound mind, show they intend to eventually get formally married and present themselves to the public as being husband and wife.