Minimum Age to Get Married, by State
Eighteen is the baseline everywhere we have researched, but what happens under 18 varies enormously — and it is changing fast. In 5 of the 24 states we cover, there is no way to marry under 18 at all.
The short answer
- No exceptions under 18 (5 states): Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York.
- 18 without a court order (a court route exists for younger applicants): Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia.
- 17-year-olds only, with consent or approval: Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington.
- 16–17 with parental consent or a court order: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin.
Minimum marriage age by state
| Arizona | 16–17 with parental/guardian consent or an emancipation order, and the other applicant may not be more than 3 years older. Under 16 cannot marry. |
|---|---|
| California | 16–17 only with a superior court order plus parental/guardian consent. Under 16 cannot marry. |
| Florida | 17-year-olds may marry with written consent from both parents or a legal guardian. |
| Georgia | 18 to marry without a court order. |
| Hawaii | 16–17 with written consent from both parents, a guardian, or family court. |
| Illinois | 16–17 with parental consent. Under 16 cannot marry. |
| Indiana | 17-year-olds need written consent from both parents (or guardian) plus juvenile court approval. No one under 17 may marry. |
| Maryland | 17-year-olds need consent of each living parent/guardian/custodian, or (without consent) a medical certificate of pregnancy or childbirth plus a certified court order. No one under 17 may marry. |
| Massachusetts | No exceptions — eliminated in 2022. |
| Michigan | 16–17 with notarized written parental or guardian consent. |
| Minnesota | No exceptions — abolished August 1, 2020, with no parental-consent or court pathway. |
| Missouri | No exceptions — eliminated August 28, 2025, including parental-consent and judicial pathways. |
| Nevada | 18 without consent. 17-year-old Clark County residents require a Nevada District Court order. |
| New Jersey | 18, with no exceptions. |
| New York | No exceptions — eliminated for all minors in 2021. |
| North Carolina | 16–17 only with written consent from a parent with legal custody or a guardian filed with the Register of Deeds, or a certified district court order. Under 16 cannot marry under any circumstance. |
| Ohio | Some 17-year-olds may marry with parental consent or judicial approval. |
| Pennsylvania | 18 to marry without a court order. |
| Tennessee | No one under 17, with no exceptions or judicial waiver. A 17-year-old may marry only someone not more than 4 years older, and needs a parent or guardian’s in-person or notarized consent. |
| Texas | Under 18 requires a court order removing the disabilities of minority (Texas Family Code Ch. 31). |
| Utah | 16–17 with signed parental or guardian consent. |
| Virginia | 18 to marry without a court order. |
| Washington | 17-year-olds may marry with parental consent. Under 17 cannot marry. |
| Wisconsin | 16–17 with written parental or guardian consent given before the county clerk or notarized. Under 16 cannot marry. |
The recent wave of change
Several states have closed the under-18 pathway in the last few years: Minnesota in 2020, New York in 2021, Massachusetts in 2022, and Missouri effective August 28, 2025. New Jersey has no exceptions either. Because the trend is moving in one direction, an older blog post or a relative’s memory of “you just need a parent’s signature” may simply be out of date. If a source predates 2020, do not rely on it.
What the different requirements actually mean
- Parental consent. The form of consent differs: written and notarized in Michigan, given in front of the county clerk or notarized in Wisconsin, filed with the Register of Deeds in North Carolina, and required from both parents in Florida.
- Court order. In California a superior court order is required in addition to consent; in Texas a court order removing the disabilities of minority is what allows anyone under 18 to marry.
- Age-gap limits. Tennessee limits a 17-year-old to a partner no more than 4 years older; Arizona limits a 16–17-year-old to a partner no more than 3 years older.
- Absolute floors. Several states say flatly that no one under 16 or 17 may marry, whatever the consent: Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee and Washington.
Which state’s rule applies?
The rules that apply are those of the state that issues the license — generally the state where the ceremony will take place, not where you live — so a stricter destination state applies its own rule to your license. If you are under 18 and planning to marry, read the specific state page above and then contact the county office directly before making any plans, because the required documents and court steps are county-specific. For adults, the age rule is simple: 18 is enough everywhere we cover, with ID as the only requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 17-year-old get married with parental consent?
In many states, yes — in our research Florida, Indiana (plus juvenile court approval), Maryland, Nevada (Clark County residents need a District Court order), Ohio, Tennessee and Washington allow it in some form. It is not possible at all in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey or New York.
Which states banned marriage under 18?
In our research: Minnesota (effective August 1, 2020), New York (2021), Massachusetts (2022), Missouri (effective August 28, 2025), and New Jersey has no exceptions either.
Do I need ID showing my age?
Yes. Every county we have researched requires valid photo ID for both applicants, and some also require a birth certificate or passport as proof of age. See the county guide for the exact documents.
What is the youngest age anyone can marry?
It depends on the state. Several states, including Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee and Washington, do not allow anyone under 17; others, such as Arizona, California, Illinois and North Carolina, set the floor at 16.
Does the rule change if I marry in a different state?
Yes. The license is issued by the state where the ceremony takes place, and that state’s law applies to the license. Check the destination state’s page.
Last verified: September 2026
Related guides
Marrying out of state · Waiting periods by state · How long a license is valid, by state · Premarital course discounts · Marriage license cost by state · Getting married in a different county