How Old Must You Be to Get Married?
Asking how old must you be to get married seems like a simple question, the answer can be surprisingly complex. The minimum marriage age varies from one state or country to another, and can also depend on circumstances.
Most areas have both a legal minimum age for marriage, and a culturally acceptable minimum age for marriage, and these ages may or may not match.
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Geography
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In most of the United States, individuals must be at least 18 years old in order to marry without parental consent. In Nebraska, the minimum age is 19, and in Mississippi, it's 21. In most states, minors who are 16 or 17 may marry with the approval of parents or legal guardians. Some states allow earlier marriages for couples who are pregnant and have parental consent.
A few states, including California, Arizona and Kansas, have no set minimum age for marriage, as long as the parents or legal guardians and a court approve the marriage. The websites linked in the resource section below give minimum marriage ages for all of the United States and a variety of countries.
Identification
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Many states require people who meet the minimum age requirements for marriage to present proof of age when they apply for a marriage license, such as a birth certificate, passport or driver's license. Minors who wish to marry need proof of parental consent, which can vary from a simple signature on a form to a documented court order. Some states also require proof of premarital counseling for minors who wish to marry.
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Significance
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How old people must be to marry is a controversial topic in many cultures. Countries such as Ethiopia may allow girls as young as 6 to marry, and expect most females to marry by age 16. This can severely limit opportunities for education and career development, and impose family responsibilities at an early age. In Western cultures, people who marry at age 18 or younger typically have divorce rates nearly twice as high as those who marry later.
Considerations
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Although most states and countries have a legal standard for how old people must be to get married, these laws do not necessarily match cultural expectations, or the maturity level of specific individuals. Even though most states allow people to marry at age 18, or younger in certain circumstances, not all individuals this age are prepared for marriage, and may find they have difficulty fitting in with peers who are single, especially in cultures where average marriage ages are rising.
Time Frame
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Delaware and Georgia allow minors who have proof of pregnancy or a child together to marry without parental consent. Florida, Kentucky and Oklahoma allow the same, but require a court order. Maryland allows pregnant minors who are at least 16 to marry without parental consent.
Although being married automatically makes a minor emancipated, minors who have been emancipated by court order cannot marry without parental consent.
Since the minimum marriage age varies from state to state, and may change as new laws are enacted or repealed, people who wish to marry should contact their state or county for current requirements. County courthouses can also provide a list of documentation required, including specific requirements for minors.
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