California Bans Child Marriage, Setting Minimum Age at 18
Bareen Media – California has banned child marriage, becoming the 18th U.S. state to prohibit marriage involving minors.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 on September 30, removing previous provisions that allowed minors to marry with parental consent and a court order. The new law sets the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnership at 18, with no exceptions.
Under the previous law, minors of any age could marry under certain conditions. The new legislation prohibits marriage licenses and domestic partnerships from being issued to anyone under 18.
The change follows years of advocacy by survivors and child-protection groups. Unchained at Last says around 9,000 children are married in California each year.
The new law brings California into line with 17 other U.S. states that have completely prohibited child marriage without exceptions.
