SSR 71-21c: SECTIONS 202(e) and 216(c)(5). -- WIDOW'S INSURANCE BENEFITS -- "DURATION OF MARRIAGE" REQUIREMENT -- CONSTITUTIONALITY OF STATE'S NONRECOGNITION OF COMMON-LAW MARRIAGES

20 CFR 404.1104(E)

SSR 71-21c

Perez v. Finch, U.S.D.C., E.D. Wash., S. Div. Civ. No. 2574 (7/13/70); (CCH U.I.R. Fed. Par. 16,051)

Where the parties in 1960 obtained a marriage license in the State of Washington, did not thereafter reside outside the State (Washington does not recognize common-law marriages), but no civil or religious ceremony of marriage was performed until 3 weeks before worker's death in 1968, held, plaintiff does not qualify as a "surviving wife" under section 216(c) of the Act since that section requires that she be married to the worker for not less than 9 months immediately prior to his death. Further held, nonrecognition of common-law marriages by State of which parties were resident did not deprive claimant of "equal protection of the laws" guaranteed by the fourteenth Amendment.

POWELL, District Judge: The final decision of defendant disallowed plaintiff's application for widow's insurance benefits under 42 U.S.C.A. 402(e). Plaintiff maintains as the surviving widow of the decedent Jose Perez she is entitled to social security benefits. They were denied to her on the ground that she was not married to decedent "for a period of not less than nine months immediately prior to the day on which he died" as required by 42 U.S.C.A. 416(c). This action was brought under 42 U.S.C.A. 405(e).

The parties have filed cross motions for summary judgment. Jose and Petra Perez were from Mexico and could not read or speak English. They lived in Yakima County. Both had been married previously to others and the marriages had been dissolved. They applied for and obtained a marriage license on July 5, 1960. No civil or religious ceremony of marriage was performed thereafter until January 2, 1968 when Father Jose Ybarra married them in the Catholic Church. They are represented as sincere in their belief that they were married by civil authorities when they obtained their license. Jose Perez died January 21, 1968.

Plaintiff contends that since Washington does not recognize common law marriages and some states do, the decision herein results in depriving her of "equal protection" under the fourteenth Amendment. The law in Washington is clear that common law marriages have no legal standing. In re Gallagher's Estate, 35 Wn. 2d 512, 213 P.2d 621 (1950), In re Warren, 40 Wn. 2d 342, 243 P.2d 632 (1952).

Plaintiff and her deceased husband did not reside outside the State of Washington after they obtained their marriage license. The law seems settled that the validity of a marriage is to be determined by the law of the place where contracted. (See citations above.) The law of Washington must control. Since plaintiff was not legally married to the decedent until January 2, 1968 the plaintiff has not been married for the required nine months at the time of the death of decedent. Plaintiff does not qualify as a "surviving widow."

The "equal protection" clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in the fact pattern here would operate to protect citizens of other states from discriminatory laws in Washington. Here the law of Washington determines the validity of plaintiff's marriage. Marriages are valid in Washington if valid where contracted. There is no violation of the equal protection clause.

The statute requires that the marriage be for not less than nine months prior to the death of the wage earner in order for the widow to qualify as a "surviving widow." The Act creates the insurance benefits and Congress may impose such restrictions as it determines advisable. No question of the reasonableness of the nine months limitation is raised here.

Defendant's motion for summary judgment will be granted and plaintiff's be denied. Defendant is asked to submit an appropriate order.


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