Key facts
- California has banned child marriage, setting 18 as the minimum age for marriage.
- The new law takes effect on January 1, 2027.
- Child marriage remains legal in 32 US states.
- California is the 18th state to ban child marriage since 2018.
- Previously, parental consent and a judge's approval allowed minors to marry in California.
- Advocacy group Unchained At Last estimates about 9,000 girls are married annually in California.
California has officially banned child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing legislation that sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage in the state. The new law will come into effect on January 1, 2027.
Newsom called the measure "long overdue" to protect young Californians. He signed the bill alongside Courtney Stodden, who was married at 16 and has been advocating for an end to the practice. Stodden described the change as a "victory" and expressed a commitment to continue fighting for protections in all 50 states.
Survivors of child marriage, including Brittany Bee and Sara Tasneen, celebrated the law. Bee, who was married at 17, stated that California's action sends a "message of hope" that children can be free from "systemic violence." Tasneen, who was forced to marry a man nearly twice her age at 15, called the recognition that child marriage should be banned "surreal."
California is the 18th state to ban child marriage since 2018. Previously, children could marry in California with parental consent and a judge's approval. Advocacy group Unchained At Last reports that approximately 9,000 girls are married each year in California, with most marriages involving girls wed to adult men. Advocates note that many in the US are unaware that child marriage is legal in many states and has been linked to allegations of abuse.