California Bans Marriage Before 18 Without Exceptions

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1267 on September 30, making California the 18th state to prohibit marriage before age 18 without exceptions. The law removes provisions that had allowed minors to marry with parental consent and judicial approval, and also sets 18 as the minimum age for domestic partnerships. The signing followed years of efforts by survivors and advocacy groups. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin authored the measure, which was sponsored by Unchained At Last and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Advocate Courtney Stodden, who married at 16, joined Newsom at the signing. Pellerin said survivors’ accounts helped demonstrate how coercion and abuse can be concealed by the appearance of consent. Before the change, California had no statutory minimum marriage age, though minors needed parental consent and judicial approval. A 2018 law added judicial screening for possible coercion and abuse. Earlier proposals for an outright ban failed, including measures that died in committee in 2023 and 2024. The new law also removes the parallel exception that allowed minors to enter domestic partnerships.