Marriage Age Requirements by State

In most states, you must be a legal adult to get married. The legal age for marriage is 18 years old in most states. However, there are exceptions for court approval, parental approval, or emancipated minors.

Below, we provide marriage age requirements by state. But each state may have other requirements before anyone under 18 can get married. Marriage laws differ in every state. Contact an experienced family law attorney for legal advice about your state’s marriage age requirements.

What Is the Legal Age To Get Married?

There aren’t many requirements to legally marry someone. Generally, you must be old enough and not already married. However, the legal age to get married varies by state. Some states allow younger people to get married if they meet certain exceptions. The minimum marriage age by state is as follows:

• Alabama: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Alaska: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Arizona: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent)
• Arkansas: 18 years old; 17 years with parental consent
• California: 18 years old; no minimum with parental consent
• Colorado: 18 years old; 16 years old with judicial and parental approval
• Connecticut: 18 years old
• Delaware: 18 years old
• Florida: 18 years old; 17 years old with parental consent
• Georgia: 18 years old; 17 years old with parental consent
• Hawaii: 18 years old; 15 years old with parental and court consent
• Idaho: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Illinois: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Indiana: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Iowa: 18 years old; 16 years old with judicial consent
• Kansas: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent; 15 with judicial approval
• Kentucky: 18 years old; 17 years old with court approval
• Louisiana: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental and judicial consent
• Maine: 18 years old; 17 years old with parental or judicial consent
• Maryland: 18 years old; 17 years old with court consent
• Massachusetts: 18 years old
• Michigan: 18 years old
• Minnesota: 18 years old
• Mississippi: 21 years old; 15 years old for females; 17 for males or younger with court approval
• Missouri: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Montana: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Nebraska: 19 years old; 17 years old with parental consent
• Nevada: 18 years old; 17 years old with parental consent and judicial approval
• New Hampshire: 18 years old
• New Jersey: 18 years old
• New Mexico: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent or younger with court approval
• New York: 18 years old
• North Carolina: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• North Dakota: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Ohio: 18 years old; 17 years old with judicial consent
• Oklahoma: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent or younger with court approval
• Oregon: 18 years old; 17 years old with parental consent
• Pennsylvania: 18 years old
• Rhode Island: 18 years old
• South Carolina: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• South Dakota: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Tennessee: 18 years old; 17 years old with parental consent
• Texas: 18 years old; 16 years old for emancipated minors
• Utah: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental and judicial consent
• Vermont: 18 years old
• Virginia: 18 years old
• Washington: 18 years old
• West Virginia: 18 years old
• Wisconsin: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Wyoming: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent
• Washington, D.C.: 18 years old; 16 years old with parental consent

There may be other regulatory requirements for someone under 18 to get married. Check your state laws or contact a lawyer to learn about all the legal requirements for marriage.

Can You Get Married if You Get Your Parents’ Permission?

Most states have a lower marriage age of consent if the person gets parental permission. In most states, 16-year-olds can get married if their parents consent. In some states, the parents have to go with their minor children to apply for a marriage license.

Some states allow younger people to get married with parental consent and judicial consent. The court may require the prospective spouses and their parents to appear in court. Some states require younger couples to get counseling and parenting education before approving marriages under 18. Some states also have a waiting period before minors can get married.

If the court finds that underage marriage is in the best interests of the person, they can approve a younger marriage. The court may also have to talk to the parents to make sure there’s no coercion or abuse.

Can You Get Married if You’re Pregnant?

In some states, younger people can get married if one is pregnant or gives birth to a child. For example, in New Mexico, people under 16 can get married if one partner is pregnant and the court approves.

Can Emancipated Minors Get Married?

Several U.S. states also have an exception for emancipated minors. An emancipated minor gets a court order that they’re legally considered an adult. Emancipated minors are legally responsible for themselves and their decisions. The child’s parents are no longer liable for their care or well-being.

For example, a 16-year-old in Arizona can get married if they have parental consent or are emancipated. In Georgia, 17-year-old emancipated minors can marry, but they have to complete the required premarital education.

Are States Changing Child Marriage Laws?

Lawmakers in some states are trying to change the laws to ban child marriages. State legislators want to increase the marriage age to the age of majority (18 years old). Make sure you check your state statutes for the most up-to-date information. You can ask a local family law lawyer about the current marriage requirements.

Is Divorce Different for Minors Who Had Parental Consent To Marry?

Divorce laws also vary by state. Each state has different legal requirements for divorce. In some states, a minor can’t legally file for divorce because they are still considered a minor. If they need parental permission to marry, they may need permission to file for divorce.

Alternatively, a court could approve a divorce filed by a married minor. In many states, a married minor is a legal adult. They can file for divorce without their parents’ permission. Talk to a divorce lawyer to find out about the divorce process in your state.

Can Minors Get Common Law Married?

Common law marriage means the state will consider a couple to be married even if they never got a marriage certificate. It generally requires a minimum marriage age, cohabitation for a number of years, and the couple presenting themselves publicly as married. However, only a few states still recognize common law marriage.

What Age Do Most People Get Married at in the U.S.?

The average age couples get married has increased over the past few decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age for marriage in 1950 was 23 for men and 20 for women. In 2020, the average age of marriage was 28 for women and 30 for men.

In contrast, more people are cohabitating with their partner instead of getting married. Some reasons people put off marriage are economic concerns, their job or profession, and even student loan debt.

Where Can You Get Legal Advice About Marriage Age Requirements?

The legal age to get married depends on state law. A local family law attorney can give you legal advice about marriage requirements and what you need to get a marriage license. Contact a local family lawyer for more information about legal marriage requirements.