Yandy Smith rejects state marriage license, says covenant is enough

Yandy Smith told the Social Proof podcast this week that she does not plan to obtain a legal marriage license for her partnership with Mendeecees Harris. The reality star stated that she prefers to keep the government out of their personal relationship while maintaining that Harris is her husband.

Smith and Harris exchanged vows in a televised ceremony on the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop. The couple appeared to celebrate a formal union in front of family and friends. However, they never completed the civil paperwork required to establish a legal marriage under state law. That gap between their public celebration and their legal status became a major storyline on the show.

Smith explained on the podcast that she views their bond as a covenant based on faithfulness and shared history. She said the couple has raised children together and built a life that outweighs the value of a state-issued document. She emphasized that her commitment to Harris remains unchanged regardless of the missing certificate.

The couple has established separate legal arrangements to protect their family and financial interests. Smith did not provide specific details about those documents during her interview. She said these measures address the practical needs that a standard marriage license would otherwise cover.

Legal experts note that unmarried partners often lack automatic protections for inheritance, property division, and medical decision-making. These rights depend heavily on state laws and specific estate-planning documents. Smith’s approach separates the spiritual commitment of marriage from the legal obligations of a civil contract.

The debate over their status has played out publicly for years. Viewers of the show questioned why the couple held a wedding without finalizing the legal process. Some fans argued that a religious ceremony should suffice, while others pointed to the practical risks of an unmarried partnership. Smith’s latest comments confirm that her position has remained steady since the initial revelation.

Smith continues to refer to Harris as her husband in public appearances. She believes the integrity of their promise matters more than the statutory definition of marriage. The couple’s arrangement relies on their personal agreement and private legal instruments rather than state recognition.