Legal Marriage Age in USA by State

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If you’re thinking about marriage, knowing the legal rules matters. The marriage age in America depends on the state you are in, and sometimes you need parental consent if you or your partner are under 18. It’s also important to understand the age of consent in USA, especially if you plan to marry someone you met online. In this guide, we’ll break it down in a simple way and answer common questions about marriage laws across the states. Here are the legal marriage age ranges by state:

1. Alabama: 16-17 with parental consent or 18 without
2. Alaska: 16 with parental consent or 18 without
3. Arizona Dating: 16-17 with parental consent or 18 without
4. Arkansas: 16-17 with parental consent or 18 without
5. California Dating: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
6. Colorado: 16-17 with parental consent or 18 without
7. Connecticut: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
8. Delaware: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
9. Florida: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
10. Georgia: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
11. Hawaii Dating: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
12. Idaho: 16-17 with parental consent or 18 without
13. Illinois Dating: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
14. Indiana: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
15. Iowa: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
16. Kansas: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
17. Kentucky: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
18. Louisiana: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
19. Maine: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
20. Maryland: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
21. Massachusetts: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
22. Michigan: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
23. Minnesota: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
24. Mississippi: 21 or older, or 17 with parental consent and court approval
25. Missouri: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
26. Montana: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
27. Nebraska: 19 or older, or 17 with parental consent and court approval
28. Nevada: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
29. New Hampshire: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
30. New Jersey: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
31. New Mexico: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
32. New York Dating: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
33. North Carolina: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
34. North Dakota: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
35. Ohio: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
36. Oklahoma: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
37. Oregon: 18 or older, or 17 with parental consent and court approval
38. Pennsylvania Dating: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
39. Rhode Island: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
40. South Carolina: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
41. South Dakota: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
42. Tennessee: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
43. Texas Dating: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
44. Utah: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
45. Vermont: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
46. Virginia: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
47. Washington: 18 or older, or 17 with parental consent and court approval
48. West Virginia: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
49. Wisconsin: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval
50. Wyoming: 18 or older, or 16-17 with parental consent and court approval

Ronique Bastine Robinson

Family Lawyer Serving Texas

It is important to note that these age ranges may be subject to change, and the specific requirements for marriage in each state can vary depending on individual circumstances. It is always recommended to consult with a legal professional for guidance on the specific requirements and procedures involved in obtaining a marriage license in any state.

What About Other Countries and Marrying Foreign Women?

While the marriage age in America is usually between 16-18 with parental consent and 18 without, it’s very different around the world. For example:

• In Mexico, the marriage age is 18, though some states allow marriage at 16 with parental permission.
• In the Philippines, you must be at least 18 to marry, but those under 21 need parental consent.
• In Ukraine, the legal marriage age is 18 for both men and women.
• In Thailand, you need to be 17 to marry, but parental approval is still required if you are under 20.

If you meet a woman through a dating site and plan to marry her, it’s important to remember that the marriage must follow U.S. immigration and marriage laws. When marrying someone from another country, you usually need a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, which allows your future wife to come to the United States legally. After arriving, you must marry within 90 days.

Also, the IMBRA (International Marriage Broker Regulation Act) helps protect foreign brides by requiring background checks on U.S. citizens who use dating sites to find wives. It ensures safety and honesty for both sides.

Besides that, marriage to a foreign woman does not affect the basic marriage rules inside the U.S. She must meet the marriage age in America too — meaning, she has to be at least 18 (or the state’s lower limit with consent). If you respect these rules and complete the paperwork properly, marrying a woman from abroad is fully legal and protected under U.S. law.

Just be sure you use a trusted dating platform and take your time getting to know each other. Marriage is a big step, and knowing the legal path makes it a lot easier to enjoy your new future together.

Conclusion

Marriage laws in the USA are clear once you know the basics. The marriage age in USA varies slightly depending on the state, but if you and your partner follow the rules, the process is pretty straightforward. Whether you meet someone locally or fall in love with a woman from another country, understanding the legal side makes everything smoother and less stressful. Always double-check state laws or talk to a legal expert to avoid surprises.

Rico Gibson

Online Dating Industry Analysis | Journalist | Editor

Rico Gibson is a 32-year-old editor at UsaMailOrderBrides.com. He has just started working here, but in a couple of months, his ideas and innovations have changed the way the articles are written. He is an excellent addition to the team!