The state definitely has a vested interest in your marriage, LH. Number one, the welfare of the children. Number two, YOUR welfare and HER welfare. It's a 50/50 deal here in Canada. It's the only way a divorce can be settled resonably. And, it stops a lot of people from killing each other.... mentally as well as physically.

BTW, as far as "making a marriage legal", you have no choice. I don't know what the law is in your province, but every province has a time limit on it... it's called "common law marriage".