What is the Age Requirement to Get Married?

Getting legally married is a beautiful and significant milestone. But before planning the flowers, vows, or ceremony, one important question comes first: How old do you have to be to get married? The answer depends on where you’re getting married, whether you’re under 18, and whether you have parental or court consent.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the minimum marriage age laws in the United States, including state-by-state differences, exceptions for minors, and how Get Married Today helps couples—regardless of age or circumstance—legally tie the knot with ease and speed.

Minimum Age to Marry in the United States

In most U.S. states, you must be at least 18 years old to marry without any form of consent. However, there are exceptions in some states that allow individuals under 18 to get married with parental consent and/or judicial approval.

Here’s a general breakdown:

• 18 years old – Legal age to marry in all 50 states without parental or court consent.
• 16 or 17 years old – Can marry with parental consent in many states; some also require court approval.
• Under 16 – Generally not permitted, or only under exceptional circumstances with court order.

🡒 Check your state-specific marriage age laws to see what applies where you live.

California Marriage Age Requirements

If you’re getting married in California, here’s what the law says:

• The legal age to marry without consent is 18.
• Minors under 18 may marry only with both parental consent and a court order.
• The couple must attend premarital counseling and an interview with the judge, per California Family Code §302.

➡️ Learn more at the California Courts Self-Help Center.

Why Does Age Matter in Marriage?

Age restrictions in marriage laws exist to:

• Protect minors from being coerced or pressured into marriage.
• Ensure parties are capable of legally consenting to the union.
• Maintain consistent legal standards regarding adulthood, contracts, and civil responsibilities.

Even if two people love each other deeply, marriage is a legal agreement that carries major responsibilities—financial, emotional, and legal.

State-by-State Marriage Age Breakdown

Here are a few examples of age requirements across the U.S.:

👉 Refer to the U.S. Marriage Laws Summary by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Getting Married Under 18: What You Need

If you or your partner is under 18, you may still be eligible to marry, but you’ll need:

1. Parental Consent – Usually from both legal parents or guardians.
2. Judicial Approval – A judge’s review of the circumstances.
3. Proof of Emancipation – In some states, a minor can marry if they are legally emancipated.

Some states even mandate counseling or interviews before approving the marriage. Check with your local county clerk’s office for exact procedures.

Can Minors Get Married Through Get Married Today?

Yes—but only if all legal requirements are met. At Get Married Today, we serve couples from all walks of life, including younger couples with parental and court approval.

We:

• Issue legal marriage licenses
• Provide licensed officiants
• Offer same-day ceremonies
• File your marriage with the county
• Help with apostille certification for international recognition

Ready to start the process? Book your appointment now.

Dangers of Underage Marriage Without Oversight

Many states have been re-evaluating underage marriage laws due to risks such as:

• Coercion and forced marriages
• Power imbalances
• Lack of maturity or support systems
• Challenges with divorce, custody, and legal independence

Some states, like New York and Delaware, have entirely banned marriages under 18, regardless of parental or judicial consent. Read more at Unchained At Last, a nonprofit advocating against forced and child marriage.

Do You Need ID to Get Married?

Yes. All states require government-issued photo identification to prove your age and identity when applying for a marriage license.

Accepted forms of ID include:

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• State ID Card
• Military ID

🔗 Learn about ID requirements for marriage and how Get Married Today can assist even if your ID is lost or expired.

Can You Get Married at 18 Without Parental Consent?

Absolutely. Once you turn 18, you are legally an adult and can marry without permission from anyone. Just bring your valid ID and apply for a marriage license with your partner.

With Get Married Today, you can:

• Get a marriage license and be married on the same day
• Avoid long courthouse delays
• Choose your location—home, beach, park, or our office
• Receive legal filing and optional certified copies

See how our process works

What About Marriage Age and Immigration?

Marriage can serve as a basis for sponsoring a foreign spouse for immigration. However, both partners must meet the legal age requirements to qualify.

If one party is under 18:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may not recognize the marriage for immigration purposes.
• It may affect the validity of the application for a spousal visa or green card.

🡒 Consult the USCIS Green Card Through Marriage Guide for more.

Are There Federal Marriage Age Laws?

Marriage laws in the U.S. are primarily governed by state, not federal, law. However, there are national efforts to standardize the minimum marriage age and eliminate child marriage entirely.

Some recent developments include:

• The REACH Act, a federal bill to set 18 as the minimum marriage age nationwide.
• Campaigns by Human Rights Watch and Tahiri Justice Center to raise awareness.

Can You Get Married Without a Ceremony at 18?

Yes. Some states allow a “license-only” marriage where the legal signing of the license is sufficient. In California, you can:

• Sign your marriage license
• Have it officiated by a licensed officiant
• File it with the county—no traditional ceremony required

At Get Married Today, we offer this service to simplify the legal process. Schedule now.

How Fast Can an 18-Year-Old Get Married?

With us—same day.

Here’s how:

1. Bring a valid ID to your appointment
2. We issue your marriage license on the spot
3. Choose your ceremony type—formal or private
4. We officiate, file, and order your certified copies

🡒 Same-day marriage license and ceremony available 24/7, even on holidays and weekends.

What if I Just Turned 18?

Congratulations! If your birthday was today, you are legally allowed to marry right now.

📌 Just bring proof of birthdate (your ID must show you are 18+), and we’ll take care of the rest.

Check this guide from the CDC for marriage trends by age.

Common Questions About Marriage Age

Is 17 too young to get married?

In many states, yes—without court or parental consent. Some states completely prohibit marriage under 18.

👉 Check here to learn about age limits in your state.

Can you marry someone under 18 if you’re over 18?

Yes—in some states—but it often requires court approval and both parties must meet eligibility. Some jurisdictions prohibit it entirely to prevent exploitation.

📖 Learn more from Child Marriage in America.

Can I get married at 16?

Only in certain states with both parental and court consent. Most counties will also require counseling and legal guidance before granting the marriage.

Get more info from your local clerk-recorder’s office.

How Get Married Today Helps Couples of Legal Age

At Get Married Today, we specialize in fast, legal marriages for adults of all ages:

✅ Issue confidential or public marriage licenses
✅ Provide an officiant for your ceremony
✅ Handle all legal filings
✅ Offer apostille certification for international use
✅ Meet you at your preferred location: beach, home, park, hospital, etc.

🡒 Start your marriage journey today

Final Thoughts: Age Matters, But So Does Simplicity

Whether you’ve just turned 18 or you’re well into adulthood, understanding the legal age requirement to marry is essential to making your union official and valid.

If you meet the age requirement, the rest is simple—with Get Married Today, you can:

• Skip the courthouse
• Get married quickly and privately
• Receive full legal documentation
• Add same-day apostille service if needed for another country

📞 Contact us at Get Married Today and let’s help you say “I do” today.

25 Helpful Resources for Age Requirements and Legal Marriage

Here are trusted links for additional information:

1. California Courts – Marriage Requirements
2. NCSL – Marriage Age Laws by State
3. California Family Code §302
4. CDC Marriage Data
5. USCIS – Marriage-Based Green Card
6. Pew Research – Child Marriage in the U.S.
7. Tahiri Justice Center
8. Human Rights Watch – Child Marriage
9. Unchained At Last
10. Equal Rights Trust – Marriage Rights
11. California Legislative Information
12. County Clerk Offices in California
13. Get Married Today – Book Now
14. Get Married Today – Same Day Services
15. Get Married Today – Apostille Services
16. Get Married Today – How It Works
17. Get Married Today – Contact
18. Get Married Today – Home
19. U.S. Marriage Laws
20. Marriage License ID Requirements
21. Marriage Laws by State – Cornell Law
22. National Center for Health Statistics
23. Child Marriage in America Report
24. Marriage Age Data Sheet – UNICEF
25. United Nations Child Marriage Overview