Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

Civil marriage is a marriage performed, recorded, and recognized by a government official. (Wikipedia)

The original concept of a common-law marriage is a marriage that is considered valid by both partners, but has not been formally registered with a state or church registry, or a formal religious service. In effect, the act of the couple representing themselves to others as being married acts as the evidence that they are married. (Wikipedia)