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Marriage Age Requirements laws - Information on the law about Marriage Age Requirements

The laws regulating marriage are quite uniform. The right to marry is considered very personal, and once the "age of majority," or when one can marry without the permission of a parent or guardian, is reached, it is the couple's sole decision whether or not to marry. However, below this age, parental consent is required (though states do not require the consent of a parent or guardian who is not present in the country or who has abandoned his or her child). The age of majority is now universally eighteen, except in Mississippi, where the parties need to be twenty-one.

While only three states, California, Kansas, and Massachusetts, have no statutory minimum age under which marriage licenses will not be issued, many states with a minimum age requirement do permit marriages between minors under that age. Virtually all states allowing the marrying of minors require court approval in addition to parental consent. A growing number of states now require counseling for minors seeking to marry. Provisions for underage marriages exist in order to permit pregnant minor females and/or couples to marry, and prevailing code language still clearly reflects that bias. Ohio has the most explicit rule on this issue. In that state, the juvenile court is authorized to grant official consent to the marriage of underage persons, and the probate court issues the license. According to Ohio statutes, the probate court may delay issuing the license until the court is convinced that the female is pregnant and will carry the child to term or may even delay issuance of the license until the baby is born.

Table 29: Marriage Age Requirements

State Code Section Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent Comments
ALABAMA 30-1-4, 5 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Marriage under 16 is voidable, not void. Marriage between 16 and 18 without parental consent is not grounds for annulment.
ALASKA 25.05.171 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Superior court judge may grant permission for person over 14 at hearing with parents and minor.
ARIZONA 25-102 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may be allowed to marry with parental consent and approval of superior court judge.
ARKANSAS 9-11-102 to 105 Male: 17; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under minimum age may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child, with parental consent and judicial order.
CALIFORNIA Family §300-303 Male: No age limit; Female: No age limit Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 18 need parental consent and a court order obtained on the showing the court requires
COLORADO 14-2-106, 108 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may be allowed to marry with parental consent and/or approval of juvenile court judge (if parents not living together).
CONNECTICUT 46b-30 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may be allowed to marry with parental consent and consent of probate judge.
DELAWARE Tit. 13 §123 Male: 18; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under minimum age may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child with medical certification.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA §46-403, 411 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Parental consent not required if minor was previously married.
FLORIDA 741.0405 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Parental consent not required if minor was previously married or parents are deceased. Under age 18, a county judge has discretion whether or not to give license if the couple has a child or is expecting one (upon sworn affidavits that they are the parents).
GEORGIA 19-3-2, 19-3-37 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under minimum age may obtain license without parental consent in case of pregnancy or birth of child. Parents must appear before judge to consent to marriage.

Table 29: Marriage Age Requirements—Continued

State Code Section Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent Comments
HAWAII §572-1 (2), 572-2 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 In certain circumstances, 15 year olds may obtain license, but never under 15.
IDAHO 32-202 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under age 16 may obtain license with parental consent and order of the court.
ILLINOIS 750 ILCS 5/203, 5/208 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 If no parents to consent, judicial consent with finding that parties are capable of marriage. No provisions for marriage under age 16.
INDIANA 31-11-1-4 to 31-11-1-6 Male: 17; Female: 17 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors ages 15-17 may obtain license in case of pregnancy, birth of child and with approval of judge of superior or county court.
IOWA 595.2 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female:18 Minors 16-17 may obtain license without parental consent with approval of court if both parents dead or incompetent or marriage in parties' best interest.
KANSAS 23-106 Male: not specified; Female: not specified Male: 18; Female: 18 No statutory provision for minimum age with consent. Common law prevails. See State v. Wade, 766 P. 2d 811 at 815.
KENTUCKY 402.020 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under age 18 may obtain license without parental consent in case of pregnancy or birth of child and with permission of district court judge.
LOUISIANA Children's Code Art. 1545, et seq. Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minor under 16 must obtain both parental consent and authorization of court.
MAINE 19-A §652 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may be allowed to marry with parental consent and approval of court.
MARYLAND Fam. Law 2-301 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 15 yrs. old may not marry. Minors 15 yrs. old may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child with parental consent.
MASSACHUSETTS Ch. 207§7, 24, 25 Male: not specified; Female: not specified Male: 18; Female: 18 No statutory provision for minimum age with consent. Common law prevails. If parent deserted or incapable of consent, not necessary to obtain consent.
MICHIGAN MCLA §551.51 & 551.103; 551.201 Male: 16; Female: 16; (consent of 1 of the parents required of both sexes) Male: 18; Female: 18  

Table 29: Marriage Age Requirements—Continued

State Code Section Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent Comments
MINNESOTA 517.02 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18  
MISSISSIPPI 93-1-5 Male: 17; Female: 15 Male: 21; Female: 21 Minors under minimum age may obtain license with parental consent and approval of court. Minor females age 15 yrs. and older and males 17 yrs. and older but under 21 may obtain license with parental consent and court order.
MISSOURI 451.090 Male: 15; Female: 15 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 15 may obtain license under special circumstances and for good cause.
MONTANA 40-1-213; 40-1-202 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors age 16 or 17 must participate in marriage counseling and must show capable of marriage.
NEBRASKA 42-102, 42-105 Male: 17; Female: 17 Male: 18; Female: 18  
NEVADA 122.020, 025 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license by parental consent and approval of court in extraordinary circumstances.
NEW HAMPSHIRE 457:4 to 457:6 Male: 14; Female: 13 Male: 18; Female: 18 Any marriage contracted by persons under 18 may, in discretion of superior court, be annulled at suit of the party who at the time of marriage was under 18. The parent or guardian can also annul, unless the parties confirm marriage upon reaching age of consent (18 years).
NEW JERSEY 37:1-6 Male: 16; Female: 16 (unless parents of unsound mind) Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license by parental consent and approval of court. If male under 18 yrs. old and has been arrested on charge of sexual intercourse with single female who thereby became pregnant, consent not required.
NEW MEXICO 40-1-5 to 6 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may only obtain license by order of children's court or family division of district court. Courts may authorize marriage in settlement of action to compel support, and establish parentage, or in case of pregnancy.

Table 29: Marriage Age Requirements—Continued

State Code Section Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent Comments
NEW YORK Dom. Rel. §§7, 15, 15a Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 must have approval of parents and court. Minors 16 and 17 must have only parental consent. No license to minors under 14.
NORTH CAROLINA 51-2, 51-2.1 Male: 16; Female: 16 (One or both parents' consent unless minor has certificate of emancipation) Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors 14-15 may obtain license with court order in case of pregnancy or birth of child.
NORTH DAKOTA 14-03-02 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 No license issued to persons under 16.
OHIO 3101.01 to 3101.05 Male: 18; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Parties under minimum age may marry with consent of juvenile court where female is pregnant and intends to have the child.
OKLAHOMA Tit. 43 §3 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child with parental consent and court authorization.
OREGON 106.010, 106.060 Male: 17; Female: 17 Male: 18; Female: 18 If parent is out of state and either party is a resident, parental consent not required.
PENNSYLVANIA Tit. 23 §1304(1) to (2) Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license with parental consent and approval of court if in best interest of applicant.
RHODE ISLAND 15-2-11 Male: 18; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Younger parties may obtain license in special circumstances.
SOUTH CAROLINA 20-1-250, 20-1-300 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Younger parties may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child (with proof of pregnancy from doctor) and with consent of one of the parents of the female.
SOUTH DAKOTA 25-1-9 Male: 16; Female: 16; (consent of 1 parent) Male: 18; Female: 18  
TENNESSEE 36-3-104 to 107 Male: 16; Female: 16; (3 day waiting period except for certain circumstances where waived) Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license in special circumstances.

Table 29: Marriage Age Requirements—Continued

State Code Section Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent Comments
TEXAS §2.102 §2.101, 2.103 Male: 14; Female: 14; (consent must be given during 30 day period immediately preceding the date of application for license) Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 18 can petition court in his own name for permission to marry
UTAH 30-1-2; 30-1-9; 30-1- 30, 31 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Exceptions may be made for persons who are 15 yrs. old with court approval. A minor who is 15 yrs. old and his or her parent must petition to the court for permission for the minor to marry.
VERMONT Tit. 18 §5142 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license with parental consent and court order that "public good" requires them to be married. Marriage when minor is under 14 is prohibited.
VIRGINIA 20-48, 49 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Parental consent not required if minor was emancipated. Minors under 16 may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child with parental consent and proof of pregnancy from a doctor.
WASHINGTON 26.04.010 Male: 17; Female: 17 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 17 may obtain license in special circumstances.
WEST VIRGINIA 48-2-301 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license with parental consent and court order.
WISCONSIN 765.02 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18  
WYOMING 20-1-102 Male: 16; Female: 16 Male: 18; Female: 18 Minors under 16 may obtain license in special circumstances.
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User Comments Add a comment…

16 days ago

"V"

How can anyone allow their child to marry at the age of 14 or even 16 in today’s world? How much does one know about life, financial responsibility, or even how important it is to finish school at that age?!?!? I speak from experience... I was married at the age of 15 because I had a terrible relationship with my mother and my father was not in the picture, so I wanted out! I lasted 8 long years in an abusive relationship and literally had no one to turn to and no where to go because I was given the choice at one point - It was either him or my family and I chose him. I have now been divorced for two years and am now a whole new person who has experienced a lot for my age. If I had the opportunity to talk with young girls, I would tell them all to reconsider making the same mistake I did! Enjoy what it is to be young and put marriage off for when you are absolutely ready to be settled. Good luck to all of you!

21 days ago

ray martin

I'm a 16 years old female and my fiance is 18. We have been together almost 5 years, he asked me to marry him and I said yes but I don't know if I can legally marry him without the constent of my mother. But I am moving out the month of my 17th birthday, so if I am moved out at 17 does she still have to sign the constent forms?

4 months ago

Diana Puente

Im 16 about to turn 17 in august and my fiance is 18. We never really get to see eachother because of my parents but what they don't understand is that we love eachother we've been through alot this past 2 years and they still don't understand. Now that im pregnant i want to know how we can get married without my parents consent. Because my parents don't even want for him to see the baby at all [ they just want for him to pay child support and not see the baby]. He's leaving to the army for four years but wants me and the baby to be there with him living at the base. If you can help me asap i would mean alot to me. {To us!}, especially if someone is willing to help us.

5 months ago

Dylan Marshall

Im 17 turning 18 on october 17th, My fiance is 16 turning 17 on october 14th. We want to get married so she can legally come live with me, SHe lives in Texas and I live in Florida, We never get to see each other, Her parents don't understand anything, my mom gives concent for us to marry but her parents don't...Is their anywhere we can go to get married without her parents concent..If not, is their another way it could be legal for her to come back with me without getting emancipated...Please let me know, It means everything to me, I have to be with her...Thank you

6 months ago

velai

what kind of permission does the court give in order for a 17 year old could get married with a adult?

7 months ago

NINA

HEY IM 15 AND MY BOYFRIEND IS 19 AND I WE WANT TO GET MARRY BUT I DNT KNOW HOW.. MY PARENTS WONT LET ME AND I BEEN PREGNANT BY HIM BEFORE WHERE CAN WE GET MARRIED.. PLZ TELL ME ASAP

7 months ago

delana

i think no matter what age you are as long as you love eachother and your sexually active expecially if you have a child together or one on the way you should be able to get married w/ a parents concent

7 months ago

Brittany Nicole Overton

Can someone move out of their house at the age of 17 from Delaware and move to Indiana with someone who is over 21 without any trouble from the law if you have Parental consent?

9 months ago

Val

(2-19-09) hey im 14 (turning 15 on july 5th). my parents dont like my current boyfriend (16 turning 17 on july 25) but i love him with all my heart. i cant picture myself spending the rest of my life with anyone else but him and i want to do anything i can to marry him but then again i know that the only i can marry him without my parents approving is by me getting pregnate. some people think that once i turn 16 that we should just move to a state where we can get married young. i am confused about what to do. please i need some advise.

9 months ago

Laura

I am very upset. I am a mother of a 16 and 18 year old. My 18 yr. old son wants to be with a 16 year old and she is not pregnant. She lives in NJ and we live in Michigan. The laws are basically the same in all states. If You are under the age of 18, male or female you can not get married without parental consent. He is almost willing to do anything to be with her it scares me how depressed he is. But even though it may seem hopeless and all you can do is think about taking drastic measures just to be with each other, trust me you will be better off just waiting. There are way to many obstacles these days and uncertainties to worry about, than jumping the gun and getting married before you are both 18.

9 months ago

Kyle

I'm 20 and my girlfriends is 17 bout to be 18.She is in foster care and she is about to be sent away.We want to get married so we can be together.If anybody can help us PLEAS let us know it means the world to us.To Me.I DONT WANT TO LOOSE HER.

9 months ago

jerri lee

i am 15 going on 16 i live in ohip and my fiance is 18 he is in the marines and we need to get married so my child and i can live with him in north carolina. can my da have it natarized and not be there for us to get married.

10 months ago

Lisa

I'm 15 and my boyfriend is 18 and will be 19 this year. My Mom has given him permission to date me but does my dad need to give him permission also? He wants to be sure so that if someone finds out then we won't get in trouble. Is it still legal for us to date as long as my parents give him consent?

10 months ago

Teenbride

Hello I got married at 16 to a 18 year old two years ago and if never been happier in my life he's a fabulous husbant and we live a great life we got married young cause we are Christians and we don't belive and living together or having sex also I don't think that you should wait till your 35 to get married your waisting your life away the bible don't say go to school for 20 years then hook up live together for a few yeas then get married let's get real you are all berry upset that children want to get married cause you would rather them got to. Clubs and play with echother and get STDS then be happy with one person thatnk for reading me I hope I effected you positivly GOD BLESS

11 months ago

stephanie

i need help

i am 16 i will be 17 in april i just had a kid 1 month ago my fiance is 17 and we wanna get married. i havbent been living at home since i have been with him and so i can move out legaly with out getting in trouble we have to be married and we want to but my dad wont sign for me is there any state you dont need your parents signature?

please help me

11 months ago

Amber

Ok, Im 14. Im Turning 15 In 1month. My Boyfriend Is 16. We Have Been 2gether 4 3years going on 4. We have been Engaged 2times and they didnt Work Out. Well Now We Are Engaged Agian and He Is Afraid That If We Dont Get Married Soon We Wont Last. So Is There ANY State That will Allow Us To Get Married WITHOUT a Parents Consint, Cause Neither Of Our Parents Will Allow Us To Be 2gether. and I Hurd That There Is 1State That Will Allow It But Only If You Are Pregnet n I Dont Wanna Do That But I Really Want To Be With Him.. Please Help Me! Im So Confused!!

11 months ago

smart

you can't even spell & you want to get married??????

11 months ago

mr.L

im 18 year old im tryimg to get maried to a 14 year old i dont know wat happend but i love her and she says she loves me to. and i see that she wants to i want to get maried. and is something that i never tought i could say... now i know that her mom will sing the papers and the dad loves me like a son he knows that we like each other but i got the fear that i could go to jail if the police figured out that we could be thogheter i havent toach her sexualy but i think it steel been wrong. and i want to know wat rights i have in case of an intervention of a police officer. and how i can deal with the situation atleast until we get maried.

12 months ago

i have to get out

i have to get out of my house and im also planning on married soon to my fiance... im 17 and he is 18 his parents love me and i cant wait to be in thier family but i have to get out of my house, its is a mental and emotional asylm. I need to findout if i can marry him now and move out as soon as possible. This is of the up most importance. Please get back to me if you have any info!!!

about 1 year ago

angel eyes

in the state of pueblo colorado is it legal for a 15 year old female and a 21 year old male to be together if they have a child together?

about 1 year ago

JL

I am 15 & turn 16 Jan. 28. My boyfriend is over 18. We just had a child 1 month ago. We want to get married but only my mom will agree. My parents are divorced & I dont really associate with my dad. He has half custody of me. Do I have to have his consent to get married or only 1 parent?? Plz help me...

about 1 year ago

Lizeth

Am 17yo my finance is 20 his allow to get marry...am under age...and my parents wont allow me..am down to go with him without given a dam of the other ppl...do you think is a bad decision..???

about 1 year ago

clayton

i need help...me and my finance are hoping to get married soon..im 17..and she is 23..im gonna be joing the military soon and my parents are not to happpy about me and her but she is my soul mate...i just know it..we are hoping to get married in virgina...can you tell me what i may need to do please??? this is really important!! thank all ya'll

about 1 year ago

anonymous

im 17 y.o. i got married june 20th of 2008. my husband is 25. i understand all states have different laws. but im sure that in alot of states it goes the same way. just have both your parents or your guardian, for the one that is underage, get a slip from the court house and have them fill it out or just take them to the court house and sign it and bring all the information back to the person requesting it. and there will be a fee for the marriage liscense...so good luck

about 1 year ago

TN

Ok I have met someone that is 17yo in TN and Im 32, this person is being kicked out of the house not because of us but because of other reasons...what rights now does he have by being 17 and no where to go? Can he make his decisions as an adult?



Thanks,



D

about 1 year ago

Levi

Seriously... 50% of all marriages end in divorce... do you really want to make this decision anytime under the age of about 35 after dating for a minimum of 5 to 8 years?



And to the person who wants to put an 18 year old in prison for dating a 17 year and 11 month old person... please stop wearing your seat belt and take up smoking if you haven't already.

about 1 year ago

Sarah

Thank god people dont care about what other people have to say about this subject, if its legal live life be happy never mind what others think.

about 1 year ago

raven

i have this to say about this subject......if you are over the age of 18 and you are dating someone under the age of 17 male are female....you are a child molester...no matter how u look at it are how much you care for one another...and you should go to prison....point blank

about 1 year ago

rmh07

I am currently 17 years old. I am living with my fiance and his mother and I already have a 8 1/2. There is a possibility that I am pregnant again. I understand that because of our age we need parental consent. I have a few question. The first is do I have to have both of my parents consent to marry? THe second question is that if we do get consent to marry are my parents able to anul it?

about 1 year ago

RIVA

ok...im really confused..im 15 and my boyfriend is over 18...we want to get married but both of my parents left me....what can i do...im sure iwant to spend the rest of my life with him....help me please....what can i do??

about 1 year ago

anna m

ok in nc you cant getr maried without a court order but in sc and virginia you can as long as your pregnent and you have parental consent so im hoping that i can get married to my childs father any ideas.....? by the way in 15 and hes 19 so i really need help!!!!

about 1 year ago

Vany

im only 16 and my boyfriend is 18 yrs old. we want to get married because we already were sexually involved. My parents dont like him and they told me they wont give me the concent. We live in the state of PA please tell me what do i need to do... and if i cant get married because i cant get any concent what would happen if i move out with him... and if i move out with him can we get married?????

about 1 year ago

Mike M

I'm 17 and my girlfriend is 16 and we don't know what to do. Cuz we found out this morning that she is pregnant, but neither her parents or my parents will give either of us consent to marry. And we plan to have the child. So how would I have to go about this in court????

about 1 year ago

anonymous

I'm 17 and my fiance is 18 but my mother does not like us dating and we want to get married soooo desperately. We are not sure what to do and i love him with all my heart. It's difficult when your parent doesn't like your fiance because she refuses to give me parental consent. What should we do a.s.a.p????

about 1 year ago

Officer Phil

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/FA/content/htm/fa.001.00.000002.00.htm

Texas appears to be 16 with parental consent, not 14, according to the Texas state website above...

about 1 year ago

undecided love

I want to get married but the state of arkansas won't let me get married at the age I am now. I wondered if I get married in another state and come back to arkansas will I still be married???????

about 1 year ago

tapscott

im 17 going on 18 my girlfriend is 16 and wants to get married will state of ohio let us get married

about 1 year ago

Britney B.

well, here's the thing, i am 17 years old. and im in the army. my boyfriend is going to be 21 in march. i was woundering how that would work out if we want to be married a.s.a.p. because my aunt that i live with(guardian) doesn't like us dating because of his age, and if she found out that i might be pregnant she will never let me see him again. i love him dearly, and i want us to be married but i don't know how it would work, cause i won't get parent consent, please help...

about 1 year ago

Zoe M.

I have a question concerning underage marrage in New Mexico. I am seventeen and he just turned nineteen. My parents don't want me to get married right now. However, I am one month pregnant and we love each other more than anything. Would we be allowed to get married? What would we need to do to be able to get married through a court system?

about 1 year ago

Whitney

I live in the state of New Mexico. Can two people who are both 17 get married if they both have perental consent? Or does one of them have to be 18?

about 1 year ago

emma

how old are you aloud to get married in uk

over 2 years ago

Diamond Bentley

I'm just gone give everybody my opinion. Everyone knows that this day in time teenagers are going be sexually active. I also belive that you should be married to do that. But most people fall into their temtations. So i believe that as long as your parents will sign, you should be able to get married with out an age minumum limit.