You may be required to provide evidence that your marriage ended if your right to benefits depends on:
The validity of a later marriage; or
The termination of a prior marriage.
If you are claiming benefits as a divorced spouse (see §311), you must establish that the marriage lasted for 10 years before the divorce became effective.
A valid ceremonial or common-law marriage ends only by death, divorce, or annulment.
Last Revised: Feb. 4, 2008