California has officially prohibited child marriage, ending a practice still legal in many U.S. states. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard young Californians. He stated, Today, California kids are safer than ever before.
Courtney Stodden, a child marriage advocate and survivor, attended the signing. Stodden was married to 50-year-old actor Doug Hutchison at 16, which she calls an abusive relationship. On Instagram, Stodden expressed relief, noting that California protected the next one.
Previously, California was one of three states without a minimum marriage age. The new law mandates that individuals must be 18 to marry. Earlier attempts to ban child marriage faced opposition from groups like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, which expressed concerns about reproductive autonomy for minors. In 2018, a law required judges to evaluate potential coercion and abuse. Planned Parenthood neutralized its stance in 2026, leading to the legislation’s passage.
What Is Child Marriage?
The United Nations defines child marriage as involving at least one person under 18. UNICEF labels it a human rights violation, with young girls disproportionately affected. Child brides are more likely to face domestic violence and less likely to continue their education.
In the U.S., a patchwork of state laws allows for child marriage in certain areas, risking the transportation of minors to states where child marriage is permitted. In 2017, all 50 states allowed marriage for those under 18. As of now, 18 states and Washington D.C. have set 18 as the minimum marriage age, no exceptions.
Between 2000 and 2018, nearly 300,000 children, some as young as 10, were legally married in the U.S., mostly girls to adult men. According to Unchained at Last, over 8,000 California minors reported marrying in the previous year.
States That Have Banned Child Marriage
The following states have banned marriage for those under 18:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New York
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
California’s law takes effect on January 1. Oklahoma’s ban starts on November 1.