Section 222.11 - Determination of marriage relationshipA claimant will be considered to be the husband, wife, or widow(er) of an employee if the law of the State in which the employee has or had a permanent home would recognize that the claimant and employee were validly married, or if a deemed marriage is established.
(a) Generally, State courts will find that a claimant and employee were validly married if-(1) The employee and claimant were married in a civil or religious ceremony (see § 222.12 ) or(2) The employee and claimant live together in a common-law marriage relationship which is recognized under applicable State law (see § 222.13 ), and no impediment to the marriage existed at the time it took place.(b) A deemed marriage relationship may be established as described in § 222.14 .