California Will Ban Child Marriage in 2027
Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that sets the legal marriage age at 18 starting January 1, 2027.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Divorce
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Should states implement an absolute ban on marriage for individuals under 18?
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 on September 30, 2026, officially banning child marriage across California. The law establishes 18 as the minimum age for legal marriage, voiding any ceremonies performed after the legislation takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The legislation aims to protect minors from potential coercion and abuse often associated with underage unions. By establishing this threshold, California will become the 18th state in the nation to outlaw child marriage.
California currently allows minors under 18 to marry with parental consent and a court order. This new law mandates that all individuals must be at least 18 to marry, ending a practice that saw previous legislative attempts fail in 2018 and 2023.
The players
Gavin Newsom
He is the Governor of California who signed Assembly Bill 1267 into law.
Gail Pellerin
She is a California Assemblymember who authored the bill after witnessing child marriages while working as a clerk.
Courtney Stodden
She is a child advocate and public figure who famously married at 16.
The details
Authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, the bill was introduced to close loopholes that previously permitted minors to marry under specific legal conditions. The signing event in the governor's office included child advocate Courtney Stodden, who shared her own experience of marrying at 16.
Timeline
Courtney Stodden married at 16 in 2011.
Child marriage legislation failed to pass in 2018.
Legislation stalled in committee during 2023.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 on September 30, 2026.
The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Roadmap
Assembly Bill 1267 effectively aligns California with a growing national movement to eliminate legal pathways for child marriage. This law marks a definitive shift in the state's family code by overriding long-standing statutes that allowed minor marriages via court order.
Starting January 1, 2027, all marriage applicants in California will be required to be at least 18 years old. This change eliminates the previous option for minors to obtain marriage licenses through parental permission and court intervention.
The takeaway
This law ensures that all future marriages in California require both parties to have reached the age of majority. Residents planning to marry should be aware that the legal age requirement becomes absolute on the first day of 2027.
Further reading
For more information on legal shifts regarding unions in the state, visit Divorce.
Live Poll
Should states implement an absolute ban on marriage for individuals under 18?
