A status of married means that a person was wed in a manner legally recognized by their jurisdiction.
Whether a cohabiting couple (such as in a domestic partnership) have a civil status of "married" depends on the circumstances and the jurisdiction.
In addition to those who have never married, single status applies to people whose relationship with a significant other is not legally recognized.
In a person's medical history, civil status is considered to have both quantitative and qualitative significance.
Historically, inquiries into marital status have appeared on applications for employment, loans, and credit.