Since 2016, 30 U.S. states have enacted legislative reforms to end or limited child marriage and this summary offers a concise look at the impacts of these reforms. Variations in minimum age of marriage, legal emancipation requirements, judicial responsibilities, and allowable age differences between spouses, among other legal limitations, are highlighted to give a complete view of what incremental progress has looked like in those states that have not yet set a bright line age of marriage at 18 without exceptions. This document complements the Map of Legislative Reforms to give more detailed information on current marriage laws in those 30 states that have initiated reforms.
See AllSummary of Marriage Age Reforms Achieved across the U.S.
Latest News
-
New Report: U.S. Government Plays Critical Role in the Elimination of Child Marriage
In Time to Lead: The Federal Government’s Role in Ending Child Marriage in the United States, Tahirih highlights the critical role of the federal government in our fight to end child marriage here at home.
January 26, 2023 -
New Report Compares Impact of Compromise Legislation To End Child Marriage in the U.S.
In Comparing Compromises: Varying Impacts of Laws that Limit, But Do Not End Child Marriage, Tahirih analyzes data from states that have recently passed a reform to limit child marriage.
January 26, 2023
-
Survivor Voices
-
Camila
“I hope my story is helpful to someone else…and can inspire many women to be stronger. We need to help young women identify toxic relationships, so that there are fewer Camilas that go through such difficult things, let alone have our children suffer.”
November 21, 2022 -
Brenda
When I was 15 years old, I left my parents’ home in Mexico. I was sexually abused by my stepfather, and I thought I would be safer moving out with […]
November 14, 2022
-