No Exceptions for Minors
California Governor Signs Law Setting 18 as Absolute Minimum Marriage Age
Anonymous
Key Points
1
California lawmakers had pursued a full ban for nearly a decade. A 2018 law added judicial safeguards for assessing coercion and abuse, and the ban advanced after Planned Parenthood shifted to a neutral position in 2026; the bill then passed both legislative chambers unanimously.
2
Advocate and survivor Courtney Stodden, who married actor Doug Hutchison at 16, wrote after the signing: “i spent years wishing someone had protected the little girl i used to be. today, california protected the next one.”
3
Advocacy groups’ data indicate that 314,000 minors were legally married in the United States from 2000 to 2021, including girls as young as 10. Unchained At Last said at least 66,415 of those marriages involved brides below the age at which sexual relations would be considered a crime.
4
Before the new law, California required written consent from only one parent—even a non-custodial parent—in addition to judicial approval for a minor to marry.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning marriage and domestic partnerships for anyone under 18, with no exceptions Newser. The ban takes effect January 1, 2027, and makes California the 18th state to prohibit child marriage since 2018. Previously, minors could marry with parental consent and a judge's approval Fox5SanDiego.
Survivor and advocate Courtney Stodden, who married actor Doug Hutchison at 16, celebrated the law: "i spent years wishing someone had protected the little girl i used to be. today, california protected the next one." Newser The move comes after California lawmakers pursued a full ban for nearly a decade, with the bill passing both chambers unanimously.
A Decade-Long Fight Ends With Unanimous Vote
California had been one of only three states without a specified minimum marriage age. A 2018 law added judicial safeguards to assess coercion and abuse, but advocates pushed for a complete ban Fox5SanDiego. The breakthrough came when Planned Parenthood shifted to a neutral position in 2026, removing a key obstacle to passage.
Before the new law, California required written consent from just one parent—even a non-custodial parent—plus judicial approval for minors to marry Fox5SanDiego. That low bar meant children could be married off without full family agreement or strong protection from abuse.
314,000 American Minors Married Over Two Decades
Advocacy groups found that 314,000 minors were legally married in the United States from 2000 to 2021 MensJournal. Some girls were as young as 10. At least 66,415 of those marriages involved brides below the age at which sexual relations would be considered a crime Newser.
Child marriage often traps young people in abusive situations and derails education and futures NDTV. Survivors report long-term harm including isolation, limited job prospects, and health complications from early pregnancy and childbirth.
32 States Still Permit Marriage Involving Minors
California's ban puts it ahead of most of the nation. According to advocacy groups, 32 states still allow some form of marriage involving people under 18 Tyla, often with parental consent or judicial approval MensJournal. Experts say these loopholes enable coercion and abuse.
Some civil-liberties groups opposed California's absolute ban, citing concerns about young people's autonomy and access to legal protections in certain circumstances Newser. Advocates, however, argue that the harms of child marriage far outweigh these concerns and that 18 is the appropriate legal threshold.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
24
Articles
47
Reach
71
A
AnonymousAuthor
