Introduction
The minimum marriage age in the United States varies from state to state, with some states allowing marriages at a much younger age than others. Most states have a minimum marriage age with parental consent of 16 years old, some states have a minimum marriage age that goes as high as 18 years old such as Kentucky and Louisiana, while other states go as low as 14 like Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The general marriage age, without parental consent, is consistent at 18 in most states except for Nebraska, where it is 19, and Mississippi, where it is 21.
It is worth noting that while the minimum marriage age is set by state law, there are federal laws that prohibit marriage between certain individuals, such as close relatives. In addition, states also implement regulations about the age of consent, which refers to the age at which a person is considered legally able to consent to sexual activity. In some states, the age of consent is lower than the minimum marriage age, which means that while someone may be legally allowed to engage in sexual activity, they are not legally allowed to get married. On the other hand, in some states, the age of consent is higher than the minimum marriage age, which means that someone may be legally allowed to get married but not legally allowed to engage in sexual activity. This can create a conflict between the two laws.
Legal Marriage Age by State
| State | Minimum Marriage Age |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 14 Years Old |
| New Hampshire | 14 Years Old |
| Hawaii | 15 Years Old |
| Missouri | 15 Years Old |
| Alabama | 16 Years Old |
| Alaska | 16 Years Old |
| Arizona | 16 Years Old |
| Colorado | 16 Years Old |
| Connecticut | 16 Years Old |
| Delaware | 16 Years Old |
| Florida | 16 Years Old |
| Georgia | 16 Years Old |
| Idaho | 16 Years Old |
| Illinois | 16 Years Old |
| Iowa | 16 Years Old |
| Kansas | 16 Years Old |
| Maine | 16 Years Old |
| Maryland | 16 Years Old |
| Michigan | 16 Years Old |
| Minnesota | 16 Years Old |
| Montana | 16 Years Old |
| Nevada | 16 Years Old |
| New Jersey | 16 Years Old |
| New Mexico | 16 Years Old |
| New York | 16 Years Old |
| North Carolina | 16 Years Old |
| North Dakota | 16 Years Old |
| Ohio | 16 Years Old |
| Oklahoma | 16 Years Old |
| Pennsylvania | 16 Years Old |
| Rhode Island | 16 Years Old |
| South Carolina | 16 Years Old |
| South Dakota | 16 Years Old |
| Tennessee | 16 Years Old |
| Texas | 16 Years Old |
| Utah | 16 Years Old |
| Vermont | 16 Years Old |
| Virginia | 16 Years Old |
| Wisconsin | 16 Years Old |
| Wyoming | 16 Years Old |
| Arkansas | 17 Years Old |
| Indiana | 17 Years Old |
| Nebraska | 17 Years Old |
| Oregon | 17 Years Old |
| Washington | 17 Years Old |
| Kentucky | 18 Years Old |
| Louisiana | 18 Years Old |
| West Virginia | 18 Years Old |
Minimum Marriage Age by State
The minimum marriage age with parental consent varies significantly by state in the US. In total, there are 36 states that allow marriages at 16 years old. There are 5 states that allow marriage at 17 years old – Arkansas, Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington. Three states have a minimum marriage age at the age of 18 – Kentucky, Louisiana, and West Virginia. Two states have a minimum marriage age of 15 years old, Hawaii and Missouri, and two states have the lowest minimum marriage age, which is 14 years old. Those states are Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Age of Marriage by State
Alabama
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Alabama, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Alaska
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Alaska, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Arizona
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Arizona, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 18 years old.
Arkansas
Minimum Marriage Age
17 Years Old
In Arkansas, the minimum marriage age is 17 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Colorado
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Colorado, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 17 years old.
Connecticut
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Connecticut, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Delaware
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Delaware, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 18 years old.
Florida
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Florida, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 18 years old.
Georgia
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Georgia, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Hawaii
Minimum Marriage Age
15 Years Old
In Hawaii, the minimum marriage age is 15 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Idaho
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Idaho, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 18 years old.
Illinois
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Illinois, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 17 years old.
Indiana
Minimum Marriage Age
17 Years Old
In Indiana, the minimum marriage age is 17 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Iowa
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Iowa, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Kansas
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Kansas, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Kentucky
Minimum Marriage Age
18 Years Old
In Kentucky, the minimum marriage age is 18 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Louisiana
Minimum Marriage Age
18 Years Old
In Louisiana, the minimum marriage age is 18 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 17 years old.
Maine
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Maine, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Maryland
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Maryland, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Massachusetts
Minimum Marriage Age
14 Years Old
In Massachusetts, the minimum marriage age is 14 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Michigan
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Michigan, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Minnesota
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Minnesota, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Missouri
Minimum Marriage Age
15 Years Old
In Missouri, the minimum marriage age is 15 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 17 years old.
Montana
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Montana, the minimum marriage age is 16 years old, the general marriage age is 18, and the age of consent is 16 years old.
Nebraska
Minimum Marriage Age
17 Years Old
In Nebraska, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 17 years old, and without parental consent, it is 19 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
Nevada
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Nevada, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
New Hampshire
Minimum Marriage Age
14 Years Old
In New Hampshire, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 14 years old for males and 13 years old for females, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
New Jersey
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In New Jersey, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
New Mexico
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In New Mexico, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 17 years old.
New York
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In New York, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 17 years old.
North Carolina
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In North Carolina, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
North Dakota
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In North Dakota, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 18 years old.
Ohio
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Ohio, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
Oklahoma
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Oklahoma, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
Oregon
Minimum Marriage Age
17 Years Old
In Oregon, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 17 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 18 years old.
Pennsylvania
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Pennsylvania, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
Rhode Island
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Rhode Island, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
South Carolina
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In South Carolina, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
South Dakota
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In South Dakota, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
Tennessee
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Tennessee, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 18 years old.
Texas
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Texas, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 17 years old.
Utah
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Utah, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 18 years old.
Vermont
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Vermont, the legal marriage age with parental consent is 16 years old, and without parental consent, it is 18 years old. The age of consent is 16 years old.
Virginia
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Virginia, the legal marriage age is 16 years old with parental consent and 18 without consent, while the age of consent is 18 years old.
Washington
Minimum Marriage Age
17 Years Old
In Washington, the legal marriage age is 17 years old with parental consent and 18 without consent, while the age of consent is 16 years old.
West Virginia
Minimum Marriage Age
18 Years Old
In West Virginia, the legal marriage age is 18 years old both with and without parental consent, while the age of consent is 16 years old.
Wisconsin
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Wisconsin, the legal marriage age is 16 years old with parental consent and 18 without consent, while the age of consent is 18 years old.
Wyoming
Minimum Marriage Age
16 Years Old
In Wyoming, the legal marriage age is 16 years old with parental consent and 18 without consent, while the age of consent is 17 years old.
FAQs
What is the legal age to get married ?
The legal age to get married in the US varies by state, with most states having a minimum marriage age of 16 years old with parental consent.
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