California Ends Child Marriage with New Legislation

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California has put an end to child marriage, a practice still legal in many U.S. states. Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed the legislation to halt the practice, calling it a “long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors.” Newsom noted, “Today, California kids are safer than ever before.”

Courtney Stodden, an advocate and survivor of child marriage, stood by Newsom as he signed the bill. Stodden’s parents permitted her marriage to 50-year-old actor Doug Hutchison when she was 16. She describes the relationship as abusive. Stodden’s Instagram post, liked over 20,000 times, read, “i spent years wishing someone had protected the little girl i used to be. today, california protected the next one.” Previously, California was one of three states with no minimum marriage age.

Under the new law, marriage requires one to be 18 years old in California.

Why the Delay?

Efforts to outlaw child marriage in California spanned nearly a decade. Past attempts met resistance from groups like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, citing concerns over minors’ reproductive autonomy and healthcare access. In 2018, a law mandated judges assess for coercion and abuse instead.

Significant opposition waned in 2026 when Planned Parenthood adopted a neutral stance on the ban. This shift allowed the legislation to pass and gain Newsom’s approval.

Understanding Child Marriage

The United Nations defines child marriage as involving at least one party under 18, as children cannot provide full, free, and informed consent. UNICEF labels it a human rights violation, disproportionately affecting girls. According to UNICEF, girls married before 18 face higher risks of domestic violence and are less likely to complete their education.

“Girls who marry before 18 are more likely to experience domestic violence and less likely to remain in school,” a UNICEF advisory states.

Map of State Laws on Child Marriage

Advocates highlight the risks child marriage poses, leaving minors vulnerable with limited legal rights. In the U.S., differing state laws complicate matters, enabling minors to be wed in states where such laws exist.

In 2017, all 50 states allowed marriage under 18. As of now, 18 states and Washington D.C. have banned it by setting 18 as the minimum marriage age. From 2000 to 2018, nearly 300,000 children, some as young as 10, were legally married in the U.S. Most were girls marrying adult men, according to Unchained at Last, a nonprofit aiming to end U.S. child marriage.

Analysis of 2021 U.S. Census data by Unchained at Last showed over 8,000 California children, primarily girls, reported being married in the preceding year. Though child marriage persists in most U.S. states, lawmakers are actively pursuing change.

Legislation is progressing. Earlier this year, Oklahoma became the 17th state to ban child marriage, now mandating an age of at least 18 for marriage, with no exceptions.