Most US states allow marriage under 18 with parental permission, but the process can be difficult. Underage couples must go through the same process as adults, including obtaining a marriage license and finding a licensed minister. Conflicting state and federal laws can also complicate matters.
The laws of each state determine the minimum age requirements for getting married. In almost all states it is not strictly illegal for someone to get married under the age of 18, although few states make the process painless. Some form of parental permission or supervision is required for most teenagers to get married in the United States. Exceptions are generally only made for legally emancipated adolescents who are no longer under adult supervision.
Under most current state laws, an underage couple seeking to marry must go through the same process as adults seeking legally married status. In many states, a couple must first obtain a marriage license through a local probate office or magistrate. Underage couples may struggle with this process, as the application often requires a valid photo ID. A 14- or 15-year-old looking to get married may not have a valid driver’s license to establish identity.
Even with a valid marriage license and parental consent form, a teen looking to get married can still have trouble finding a licensed minister to perform the marriage. Because the rate of failed marriages among underage couples is so high, many religious leaders often advise teen couples to wait several years before getting married. Underage couples can still apply for a civil marriage through the municipal or county magistrate’s office, but there may still be several legal hurdles to overcome.
The problems faced by under-18s trying to get married are often compounded by conflicting state and federal laws. Having sex, consensual or non-consensual, with someone under the age of 18 is often considered a crime called statutory rape. Some states may lower the age of consent to 16, but a 19-year-old male can be jailed for having consensual sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend. If the couple were legally married, however, the same act between husband and wife would not be criminally liable.
Few parents would like to see their 14-year-old daughter get pregnant, but this scenario is becoming more common as teenagers become sexually active at an earlier age. Being able to marry would provide a means for the young couple to qualify for the services available.
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