This is question 16 on the paper FAFSA.

This question cannot be left blank.

Select the answer that describes your marital status as of the day you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If your marital status has changed or will change since the time the application was initially submitted, check with your college's financial aid office.

“Married / remarried” does not mean living together unless your state of legal residence recognizes the relationship as a common law marriage.

According to the Defense of Marriage Act (1996), “…the word ‘marriage’ means a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” Therefore, same-sex unions are not considered marriages for federal purposes, including the FAFSA.