Fembot said:
Thanks Lewis!
Interesting stuff. I don't think their is a definite age to get married. However, it would make sense that starting a family at a younger age would build a stronger foundation. With the grandparents having more time with their grandchildren and vice versa, as well as the support older children can give parents as they age.
What do you think about an appropriate age to get married?
Well in Biblical times in the region of God's people 13 was the age for females, and around 16 for the men. Now over here in the USA, things are so messed up you might not be able to trust a marriage that young, and lets not forget the perverts out there. But if there was a all Christian community I don't see why they can't follow the same ages as in Biblical times. The Bible has not changed, when the ovaries fill up with eggs and she has that time of month every month, she would be able to marry and mate back then. God would not allow that body change unless it was time for you to bear children. But if you say these things today, you will be run out of the country. If you tell a man that you want to marry his 13 year old daughter, you will get shot to death, these days, even if the guy is 15 or 16. So I would say 16 and up, because if they want to have sex, they are going to do it anyway, I know I did. And if they came up under the word of God, that's a plus. the youngest that you can get married in the USA is 13 in New Hampshire. I am posting marriage laws by the state. I made a extra post so that it could all fit, but every state teen marriage law is covered in these 2 post's. The next post starts with the state letter M
Teen Marriage Law Trends
As a teenager considering marriage, you should know the legalities and requirements concerning teen marriage in the locale where you want to get married. Many states' teen marriage laws are making it harder for teens to marry.
There are recent studies that indicate that teen marriage is simply not a good idea. Marriage license laws in the United States are reflecting that belief.
In the United States, all but one state requires that a couple be 18 in order to marry without parental permission. Nebraska sets the age of majority at 19. Although a few states will waive this requirement if there is a pregnancy, teenage couples may still have to have court approval.
A few states allow pregnant teens or teens who have already had a child to get married without parental consent but these couples must have permission from a court.
Even with parental approval, many states require court approval when a person is 16 years old or less.
State Listing of Teen Marriage License Laws
Alabama: If either of you are under eighteen (18), you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. Both parents must be present with identification, or if you have a legal guardian they must be present with a court order and identification. The state requires a $200 bond to be executed, payable to the State of Alabama. If one or both parents are deceased, proper evidence of such must be provided. Individuals under the age of 14 may not marry.
Alaska: If either of you are under eighteen (18), you will need certified copy of birth certificate, both parents must be present with identification, or if you have a legal guardian they must be present with a court order and identification.
Arizona: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have the notarized consent of your parents or legal guardian. If you are under sixteen (16), you must have the notarized consent of your parents or legal guardian as well as a court order.
Arkansas: Parental consent is needed if under eighteen (18) years of age. You need to present a state certified copy of your birth certificate, an active Military ID card, or a valid passport. Your parent must be present to sign the marriage book with the applicants when the license is issued. If a parent is unable to sign, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, you must produce certified papers for verification of those circumstances. Males under the age of seventeen (17) and females under (16) cannot marry without a court order. This is usually given only in extreme circumstances, such as if the female teen is pregnant or the teenage couple already has a child together.
California: If either of you is under eighteen (18) years of age, you will need to make an appointment with a counselor, appear before a superior court judge, show certified copies of your birth certificates, and have one parent appear with you when you apply for the marriage license.
Colorado: If you are sixteen (16) or seventeen (17), you need consent of both parents (or parent having legal custody), or guardian, or seek judicial approval. If you are under sixteen (16), a Judicial Court Order along with parental consent is necessary. As of 6/15/06, there is a controversial ruling regarding minimum age in Colorado.
Connecticut: If under sixteen (16) years of age, a written consent of the judge of probate for the district where the minor teen resides must be obtained. Written parental consent is needed if under eighteen (18) years of age.
Delaware: You need signed parental consent forms provided by the Clerk of the Peace office if you are under eighteen (18) years of age.
District of Columbia: You need signed parental or guardian consent forms if you are under eighteen (18) years of age. If you are under sixteen (16) years of age, you cannot marry in the District of Columbia.
Florida: If a teen is under eighteen (18) years of age, but older than sixteen (16) years of age, a marriage license can be obtained with parental consent. If a parent has sole custody or the other parent is dead, the permission of one parent is sufficient. If a person is under the age of 16, the marriage license has to be issued by a county judge, with or without parental permission. If a minor's parents are both deceased and there is not an appointed guardian, he/she may apply for a marriage license. A minor teen who has been previously married may apply for a license. A minor who swears that they have a child or are expecting a baby, can apply for a license if the pregnancy has been verfied by a written statement from a licensed physician. A county court judge may at his/her discretion issue or not issue a license for them to marry.
Here are the teen marriage license laws for states G-L. If you are a teenager under the age of 18 considering marriage, it is important for you to understand the legalities and requirements concerning marriage of minors in the locale where you want to get married.
Georgia: Georgia changed the laws in 2006 concerning the minimum age to get married and the minimum age to get married in Georgia is 16. Most Georgia county websites are stating that in order to apply for a marriage license, both of you have to be 18 years of age. Some of the county websites are stating that if either of you are 16 or 17 years of age, both parents (either biological or adoptive) or legal guardians must give their consent to your marriage in person and provide a certifified copy of your birth certificate along with valid identification. In some counties, a probate judge also has to approve the marriage license application of individuals who are 16 or 17 years old. Anyone under the age of 16 cannot obtain a marriage license in Georgia.
Hawaii: If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you must have the written consent of both of your parents, legal guardian, or the family court. If you are 15 years old, you will not only need the written consent of both of your parents or legal guardian, but also the written approval of a judge of the family court. You can obtain the necessary consent forms from a marriage license agent.
Idaho: If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you will need to have a certified copy or your original birth certificate, or a passport, or a driver's license or state I.D. card. You must be accompanied by one of your parents or your legal guardian and have written parental consent on the Affidavit of Consent to Marriage of Minor. If you are under 16 years of age, you will also need a court order.
Illinois: If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you will have to provide a copy of your birth certificate along with some other sort of identification showing your date of birth. You will also need to have the sworn consent from each parent, each legal guardian or a judge - in person - before the county clerk at the time of application. Your parents or guardians will need to provide identification like a driver's license, state identification card, Illinois Department of Public Aid card, or passport. If your parent is deceased, you will need to show a death certificate or proof of guardianship, or a court order waiving consent. A legal guardian will also need to show a certified copy of the guardianship papers. If you are under sixteen (16) years of age, you cannot get married in Illinois.
Indiana: A certified copy of your birth certificate is required. If you are 17 years old you must apply for the license with both parents (or the person with legal custody). They will need to sign the consent portion of the application. If you are 16 or 15 years old, you must petition the Circuit Court via a "Permission to Marry" form. The cost for filing this petition is $120.00 even if the Judge refuses to allow the couple to marry.
Iowa: Under 18 applicants (16 or 17 years of age) need to have parental consent.
Kansas: The minimum age to get married is 15 in Kansas. This legislation can be waived only by a district court judge who thinks that getting married at such a young age would be in that individual's best interest.
Teens who are 16 or 17 years old need to obtain one of the following in order to get married in Kansas:
* Obtain parental or legal guardian permission and judicial consent.
* Receive permission from both parents or legal guardian.
* If the minor's parents are dead, or if there is no legal guardian, permission must be received from a judge.
Kentucky: If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must have the consent of your parents or legal guardian. Custody papers are required if your parents are divorced. The form that you need to have completed is the Consent to Marriage Form (84-FCC-501). It has to be witnessed by two witnesses who are at least 18 years old, signed by your parent or legal guardian, and sworn by the deputy clerk. If you are a pregnant minor you may apply to a district court judge for permission to marry without parental consent. If you are under 16, you must get approval to marry from the District Court. Minors cannot get married in Kentucky if parents or guardians are not residents of Kentucky.
Louisiana: Applicants aged 16 and 17 will need the appearance of their parents at the clerk's office at the time of the marriage application. If your parents were divorced, you will need to have them show a certified copy of the custody judgment. A court order is necessary for anyone under the age of 16 to receive a marriage license. Continued .
