California Bans Child Marriage, Joining 17 Other US States 2026

California has officially outlawed child marriage, joining 17 other US states where the practice is also banned. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 into law on Wednesday, marking a significant victory for child marriage survivors and advocacy groups. The new law prohibits minors from obtaining a marriage license or establishing a domestic partnership, with no exceptions.

What the New California Law Means

Under previous California law, minors of any age could obtain a court order for marriage with parental consent. This loophole allowed thousands of children to be married each year. Assembly Bill 1267 closes that loophole entirely, making California the 18th state to ban child marriage. The law takes effect immediately and applies to all minors under 18.

“This is a long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors. Today, California kids are safer than ever before,” Newsom said in a statement. The law has no exceptions, meaning even parental consent or judicial approval cannot override the ban.

The Role of Advocates and Survivors

Courtney Stodden, who was thrust into the public eye in 2011 when at 16 she married 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison, joined Newsom on Wednesday. Stodden has since reflected on the union with deep regret and has become an outspoken advocate against child marriage.

“Governor Newsom’s action today made clear to me and to survivors of child marriage everywhere that we should never have been expected to carry this burden,” Stodden said. “I’m deeply grateful to Unchained At Last and every survivor who fought to make this possible – California is a victory, but I’m not stopping here. I will keep fighting until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states.”

Unchained At Last, the advocacy group that pushed for the legislation, estimates that 9,000 children are married in California every year. The organization has been instrumental in getting similar laws passed in other states.

Child Marriage by the Numbers

Child marriage remains a significant issue in the United States. While California now bans the practice, many states still allow minors to marry under certain conditions. The following table shows the status of child marriage laws across the country.

As of 2023, 18 states have banned child marriage with no exceptions. These states include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, among others. However, many states still allow minors to marry with parental consent or judicial approval.

Key Takeaways from California's Ban

• No exceptions: California now prohibits marriage for anyone under 18, regardless of parental or judicial consent.
• Domestic partnerships included: The law also bans minors from establishing domestic partnerships, which provide spousal protections.
• Advocacy works: Survivors and groups like Unchained At Last played a crucial role in passing the legislation.
• More work ahead: 32 states still allow child marriage under certain conditions, and advocates vow to continue fighting.

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