What "procedures" are you referring to?  Common-law refers to couples (usually only male/female couples) who have lived as husband and wife for a particular period of time.  The laws pertaining to these relationships differ from state-to-state, and common-law relationships are not recognized in some states.  Your best bet would be to address this question to your local court of law, or possibly search the internet (although you should be wary of information found there).