Learn about the legal age of marriage in each U.S. state and territory with links to relevant laws on underage marriage and child marriage, including parental or guardian consent requirements, court approval, and more. Wondering how old you have to be to get married in your state? Read on. Most states have a minimum age of marriage for minors with parental consent, which ranges from 12 to 17. However, California and Mississippi do not have a minimum age for minors to marry with parental consent. Massachusetts has the lowest minimum age of marriage with parental consent of 14 for boys and 12 for girls. Im spät 19. In the nineteenth century, a “social purity movement” of Christian feminist reform groups began advocating raising the age of consent to 16, with the goal of raising it to 18. In 1920, 26 states had an age of consent of 16, 21 states had an age of consent of 18, and one state (Georgia) had an age of consent of 14. [19] Most states have special provisions for underage marriages, such as a minimum age (usually between 14 and 16), a premarital education course, a one-on-one interview with a designated official, or the written consent of a parent, guardian, or judge. Some states do not allow exceptions for minors. “The concept of marriage, which I was going to marry, was a conversation we started having around the age of 11,” said one woman interviewed for the film.

In Massachusetts, the general age of marriage is 18, but minors can be married with judicial approval. Unlike many other states,[2] child marriage in Massachusetts does not automatically emancipate the minor or increase his or her legal rights beyond allowing the minor to consent to certain medical treatments. [3] “I am very encouraged by the legislation being considered by a number of different states, particularly the 18 clear line that would end child marriage in this state without exception,” said Kate Ryan, director of the documentary “Knots: A Forced Marriage Story.” Puerto Rico: 21 minors between the ages of 18 and 21 may marry with the written consent of both parents, a legal guardian or, in the absence of a legal guardian, a special guardian appointed by the court chosen by the court from among the minor`s closest relatives. If the parents or guardian refuse consent, a court may approve the marriage after a hearing. ( A 381, A 382, A 389) History is a joke, one man decided what we should do. I`m not saying I agree with that, but now we`re locking people up for things that were once legal. Meet Beverly Hillbillies. At a time when you weren`t married at 13, they were looking at you over the hill. Just say Learn more about loopholes that allow marriage before the age of 18 in most U.S. states. The legal age is 17 in 10 states, while another 21 set the standard at 16.

In Maryland, Hawaii and Kansas there are 15, North Carolina and Alaska allow them with 14. There is little variation over time or between states in laws without parental consent. [1] Prior to 1971, about 80% of states reported an age of 18 for marriage without parental consent for women and about 85% declared an age of 21 for men. [1] New Mexico: 18 minors aged 16 or 17 may marry if they are legally emancipated, or with the written consent of each living parent, as shown on their birth certificate, or with the permission of the district court at the request of a parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 16 may marry with the permission of a division of the Child or Family Court of the District Court at the request of a parent or guardian if certain conditions are met or if the child is pregnant, and a certified copy of the court`s approval shall be filed with the District Registrar. (§ 40-1-6) This is most common in West Virginia and Texas, where about seven in 15- to 17-year-olds were married in 2014, compared with five in 1,000 nationally. Several other southern and western states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Nevada and California, also have above-average rates of child marriage. Effective 10/1/22: Minors under the age of 17 cannot marry in the state. Minors under the age of 17 may marry with the permission of any living parent, guardian or legal guardian, or with proof of pregnancy or recent delivery.