Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 15 Sec. 8

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • marriage: shall mean a civil marriage. See
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

§ 8. Marriage definition

Marriage is the legally recognized union of two people. When used in this chapter or in any other statute, the word “marriage” shall mean a civil marriage. Terms relating to the marital relationship or familial relationships shall be construed consistently with this section for all purposes throughout the law, whether in the context of statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or any other source of civil law. (Added 1999, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 25; 2009, No. 3, §§ 5, 12a, eff. Sept. 1, 2009.)