Basic (09-87)

GN 00302.570 Marriage Records

A. Introduction

The application for a marriage license filed before a license is issued will normally call for the bride's and groom's DB or age. The age or DB may also be shown on the marriage certificate itself.

B. Purpose of chart

The chart which follows in E. below shows the minimum legal age for marrying without consent of parent or guardian in effect in each State at various time internals since 1900. This chart will alert you to those situations in which the applicant may have given an incorrect age in order to marry without parental consent.

C. Warning

The chart is furnished solely for use in considering the probative value of a marriage record as proof of age. It should not be used to determine the validity or invalidity of a particular marriage.

D. Comment

No information is given regarding certain specific exceptions in some State laws such as previous marriages, pregnancy, no parent or guardian competent to act, etc.

E. Chart : Minimum age for marriage without parental consent

State Age of Male Age of Female Effective Dates
Alabama 21 18
Alaska 21 18 1917 - present
Arizona 21 18
Arkansas 21 18
California 21 18 7/29/21 - present
18 15 through 7/28/21
Colorado 21 18
Connecticut law not specific
Delaware 21 18
District of Columbia 21 18 1901-present
Florida 21 21
Georgia 17 18
Hawaii 20 18 6/6/69 - present
20 20 1929 - 6/5/69
20 18 through 1928
Idaho 18 18
Illinois 21 18
Indiana 21 18
Iowa 21 18
Kansas 21 18 1905 - present
Kentucky 21 21
Louisiana 21 21
Maine 21 18
Maryland 21 18 1920 - present
21 16 through 1919
Massachusetts 21 18
Michigan 18 18
Minnesota 21 18
Mississippi no requisite age from 7/1/58 - present
21 18 through 6/30/58
Missouri 21 18
Montana 21 18
Nebraska 21 21 1921 - present
21 18 through 1920
Nevada 21 18
New Hampshire 20 18 1923 -present
18 16 1907-1922
New Jersey 21 18
New Mexico 21 18
New York 18 18 9/1/74 -present
21 18 1907 - 8/1/74
North Carolina 18 18
North Dakota 21 18
Ohio 18 18 1974 -present
21 21 1923 - 1973
21 18 through 1922
Oklahoma 21 18
Oregon 21 18
Oregon 21 18
Pennsylvania 21 18
Rhode Island law not specific
South Carolina 18 18 1911 -present
South Dakota 21 18
Tennessee 16 16 1937 -present
18 18 1919 - 1936
16 16 through 1918
Texas 21 18
Utah 21 18
Vermont 21 18
Virginia 21 21
Washington 21 18
West Virginia 21 21
Wisconsin 21 18
Wyoming law not specific
Puerto Rico 21 21

NOTE:  There is no provision for consent by parents and the age referred to is the minimum marriageable age fixed by statute in the following States:

  • Georgia

  • Michigan

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee (for 1919 - 1936 and 1937 - present records).


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200302570
GN 00302.570 - Marriage Records - 04/24/2001
Batch run: 02/01/2021
Rev:04/24/2001