# For the IPUMS MEPS: How do I identify couples?

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/for-the-ipums-meps-how-do-i-identify-couples/2131>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [January 30, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/for-the-ipums-meps-how-do-i-identify-couples/2131 "2018-01-30T19:08:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![talkdatatome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@talkdatatome](https://forum.ipums.org/u/talkdatatome)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/for-the-ipums-meps-how-do-i-identify-couples/2131/1 "2018-01-30T19:08:00Z")

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What is the equivalent of SPLOC in ACS? Or will we have to use the RELATE variable only?

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**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/for-the-ipums-meps-how-do-i-identify-couples/2131/2 "2018-01-30T21:51:00Z")

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IPUMS MEPS does not currently offer a SPLOC variable, but you can identify most couples using the [RELATE](https://meps.ipums.org/meps-action/variables/RELATE#description_section) and [MARSTAT](https://meps.ipums.org/meps-action/variables/FAMSIZE#description_section) variables within dwelling units (DUID). The MEPS sample is a subsample of households that responded to the previous year’s NHIS, more information about MEPS can be found [here](https://meps.ipums.org/meps/userGuide.shtml).