Archive · 1 Oct 2026
California Bans Child Marriage as 32 States Still Allow It
California has passed a law banning marriage for anyone under 18.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law on September 30.
Before this law, children could marry if a parent agreed and a judge approved.
The new law removes those exceptions.
It will begin on January 1, 2027.
California is now the 18th state to completely ban child marriage.
Survivors and advocates said the change will help protect children from harmful situations.
They also want all 50 states to adopt similar bans.
Child marriage is still legal in 32 U.S. states.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1267 on September 30, making California the 18th U.S. state to completely ban child marriage.
The law sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnership, with no exceptions for parental consent or judicial approval.
AB 1267 takes effect on January 1, 2027, after California lawmakers approved it unanimously in both legislative chambers.
Unchained At Last estimates that nearly 315,000 children entered legal marriages in the United States between 2000 and 2021, most of them girls married to adult men.
Survivors and advocacy groups welcomed the change and urged nationwide action, while child marriage remains legal in 32 states and the United States has no federal minimum marriage age.
- Who
- California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1267 alongside child-marriage survivors and advocates, including Courtney Stodden and Sara Tasneen.
- What
- California banned marriage and domestic partnerships for people under 18 without parental-consent or judicial exceptions.
- When
- Newsom signed the law on September 30; it takes effect on January 1, 2027.
- Where
- California, United States.
- Why
- Survivors and advocacy groups said the law is needed to protect minors who may face significant barriers when trying to challenge or leave marriages entered into before adulthood.
- Legislation
- AB 1267
- Minimum age
- 18 for marriage and domestic partnership
- Effective date
- January 1, 2027
- California's status
- The 18th U.S. state to completely ban child marriage
- Remaining states
- Child marriage remains legal in 32 U.S. states
- National estimate
- Nearly 315,000 children legally entered marriage in the United States between 2000 and 2021
- Estimated California figure
- Unchained At Last estimated that more than 8,000 children married in California each year, although the state does not systematically track the ages of everyone marrying
