Minimum Age to Marry is Now 16

By Alex Miller, Wanzer Edwards PC

Effective July 1, 2020, the minimum age to marry is now 16 years old, which is raised from 15 years old. House Bill 1006 provides that those who are 16 or 17-years-old may only marry if their intended spouse isn’t more than four years older than them, they get an order from a juvenile court allowing them to marry, complete all premarital counseling required by the order, apply for a marriage license “not sooner than” 15 days after the order, and include a certified copy of the order with their application for a marriage license. The law also requires juvenile courts that issue an order to allow anyone at least 16 years old to be married must then also issue an order that fully emancipates them. The legislation also repeals provisions to require individuals younger than 18 to obtain permission from their parent or legal guardian.

If you would like to submit content or write an article for the Family Law Section, please email Kara Sikorski at ksikorski@indybar.org.

Subscribe to Family Law Section news here!