In California, the applicable law is found in California Family Code Sections 302 and 304 (2019): “An unmarried person under the age of 18 may obtain a marriage certificate upon receipt of a court order authorizing the person or persons to marry in accordance with the requirements described in Section 304.” [11] Historically, Section 56 of the California Civil Code (1872) established 15 as the age at which a woman could marry without her parents` consent. In 1921, the age was raised to 18. [12] “We don`t even let people drink until they`re 21, and we let them marry at 16. It just doesn`t make sense,” said Brad Hutto, a South Carolina state representative. Legal rape occurs when one of the parties to the sexual activity has not reached the age of consent. It does not have to be violent because a minor is legally incapable of consenting. 18 U.S.C. Section 2243 (a) on sexual abuse of a minor applies when a person “knowingly engages in a sexual act with another person” between the ages of 12 and 16 and at least four years younger than the perpetrator. 18 U.S.C. Section 2243(c)(2) allows a defense against this crime if “the persons involved in the sexual act were married to each other at that time.” This means that child marriage is considered a valid defense against legal rape at the federal level. Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are the only states where 18 years of marriage are married. I don`t think the government should have enough power to throw people in jail for the rest of their lives, for something completely natural.
If 2 people want to be together and are willing to get married because it is necessary because the government already has too much power over people`s lives, then they should be allowed to get married. Man and nature, regardless of the development of law and government, are over time. Law and government are the problem, nature is natural. Marrying someone means a lot to me, and yes, I would love to be with a younger girl and I would never hurt her like my ex-wife did to me (she was my age, by the way). If a person has to marry just to be with whomever they want, especially because they are too young, then of course this should be allowed. And nature allows people to go through puberty at 11, long before government begins. The government should help people, not attack them and their property! 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. Georgia: 18 minors aged 17 may marry if they have been legally emancipated for at least 15 days (or are in the process of emancipation and meet certain conditions) and if their future spouse is not more than four years old and has completed the required premarital education. (§ 19-3-2, § 19-3-30.1) District of Columbia: 18 minors between the ages of 16 and 18 may consent to marriage if they have previously been married or if a parent or guardian gives sufficient oral or written consent (and testimony) to the clerk of the court. (§ 46-403, § 46-411) Virginia: 18 minors can marry if they have been legally emancipated by the court.
(§ 20-48) Many of the states that provided data included categories such as “14 and under,” without specifying exactly how much younger some of the bride and groom were. So while 12-year-old child brides have been found in Alaska, Louisiana and South Carolina, there may have been children under the age of 12 in America between 2000 and 2010. West Virginia: 18 minors between the ages of 16 and 18 may marry with the written consent of both parents (or custodial parent) or a legal guardian. Children under the age of 16 may marry with the consent of a district judge if the judge considers it to be in the best interests of the child and has the written consent of the child`s parents or legal guardian. Marriages contracted by minors without legal consent (illegally) can be ratified and validated when the child reaches the age of 18, if certain conditions are met. (§ 48-2-301) But you have a hard time protecting her and look for that partner and sign a legal prenuptial agreement to protect your daughter and baby! Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and its inhabitants are U.S. citizens. In Puerto Rico, the general age of marriage is 21, as that is the age of majority. The general age of marriage in Puerto Rico is 21 or 18 with parental consent. [35] In Guam, the general age is 18, but 16-year-olds may marry with the consent of at least one parent or guardian. [36] In American Samoa, the age of marriage has been 18 for both sexes since September 2018.
Previously, the age of marriage for women was 14. [37] American Samoa does not allow marriages with minors. In the District of Columbia, the general age is 18, but 16-year-olds may marry with exceptions. [35] In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the age of marriage is 14 for women and 16 for men. [38] In the Northern Mariana Islands, men must be 18 to marry, while women can marry at 16 with parental consent. [39] I agree that children are not allowed to marry.