Literal question
[Questions 1.6-1.8 for persons 16 years old and older only]
1.6 What is your/ [the respondent's] legal marital status? For example, are you/is [the respondent] married, divorced, widowed or never married?
[] 1 Married
[] 2 Divorced (go to question 1.8)
[] 3 Widowed (go to question 1.8)
[] 4 Legally separated (go to question 1.8)
[] 5 Never married (go to question 1.8)
[] 9 Not stated
Interviewer instructions
5.45 Questions 1.6-1.8: Marital and union status
[Persons age 16 and older. If, however, it is clear that the individual although younger than 16 years is married (as for example among Hindus), then ask the questions and make a note in the visitation record]
Marital status refers to the legal status of the relationship, while union status refers to the actual type of relationship in which a person may be involved. A man or woman can be involved in either of the following relationships:
(1) He or she could be legally married and living with the person to whom he or she is married.
(2) He or she could be living with a partner to whom he or she is not legally married. This is referred to as living common-law.
5.46 Question 1.6
Married: Score this for all persons [who are] formally married, whether or not they are living with the partner to whom they are legally married. In those cases where East Indians have been married according to the Hindu custom (that is, under the bamboo) or the Muslim rites, score whether or not the marriage has been legally registered.
The remaining four categories -- "Widowed", "Divorced", "Legally separated", and "Never married" -- are self-explanatory. Please note the following:
(i) Married persons who are separated but who have not been through the courts are to be scored as married
(ii) A "Decree absolute" must be granted for the person to be considered divorced.
