What Is the Legal Age for Marriage in Ohio

In Massachusetts, the general age of marriage is 18, but minors can be married with judicial approval. Unlike many other states,[2] child marriage in Massachusetts does not automatically emancipate the minor or increase his or her legal rights beyond allowing the minor to consent to certain medical treatments. [3] “We`re giving families some leeway” that this is what the family wants to do,” Carey said. “I don`t remember these particular cases, so I don`t remember the circumstances I would have considered.” Interviews with judges provided similar answers: most felt uncomfortable playing a role in approving marriages that, statistically, have little chance of survival. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a law in May that would have made New Jersey the first U.S. state to ban marriage before the age of 18 without exception. Demonstrators dressed as chained brides demonstrated outside the New Jersey Statehouse to protest the veto. Ohio counties typically maintain online marriage license registration services and hold civil ceremonies for a fee of about $60. “I really think Ohio`s laws are pretty good,” she said. They had marriage counseling for her. Of course, we had to go to court to grant permission because he was only 17 years old. I think the law is good, as it is now.

A new marriage law banning children under 17 from marrying in Ohio went into effect Monday. Connecticut, New York and Texas recently passed laws raising the minimum age of marriage, and several other states are considering legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the group Unchained. The 2012 Hamilton study found that a high percentage of child marriages occur after the girl becomes pregnant. Yet court records show that Kuntz has signed eight underage marriages since 2001, including Hatfield and Bostwick. In response to the newspaper`s questions, Kuntz reviewed the circumstances of Hatfield and Bostwick`s marriage, saying they raise some concerns. As a judge, Kuntz is required by law to report allegations of child abuse and neglect, but he does not recall prosecutors or child protection services being called in to review the case. With the exception of Ohio, which allows young pregnant teenage girls or mothers of children to marry, the question of “when he is too young to marry” rests with juvenile judges and parents of minors, who must first give their consent. Once the juvenile court has given its consent, the probate court issues the marriage certificate. Mother Moraine, who agreed to marry her son in 2009, said there was no need to change Ohio`s law.

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] Note: State laws are constantly changing – contact an Ohio family law attorney or do your own legal research to review the state laws you`re looking for. During his 13 years at the bank, Capizzi approved the marriage to minors, according to court records: a 16-year-old pregnant girl and her 17-year-old boyfriend in December 2009. Related: Clark County Judge`s Name Will Not Appear on Same-Sex Marriage Licenses In many states (but not Massachusetts),[2] a minor`s marriage automatically emancipates the minor or increases his or her legal rights, which go beyond the minor`s consent to certain medical treatments. [3] 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 be issued a marriage license after obtaining a court order authorizing the minor 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] Many states have updated their age of marriage laws in recent years, including Ohio. In the state of Ohio, the minimum age of marriage is 17 and requires court approval. The parties may also not be more than four years old. The age of marriage in the United States is the age at which a person can marry in the United States as a right or with parental consent or other authorization.