California has officially outlawed marriage for anyone under the age of 18, a move that eliminates legal loopholes that previously allowed minors to marry with parental or judicial consent. The legislation, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes into effect on January 1.
"This is a long overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors. Today, California kids are safer than ever before," Newsom stated after signing the bill. Advocates estimate that the law would have prevented approximately 35,000 minors, predominantly girls, from marrying in California between 2000 and 2021.
The decade-long effort to ban the practice aims to reduce risks associated with child marriage, including domestic violence, homelessness, financial dependency, and barriers to education and legal protection. With California's new law, only Mississippi and New Mexico reportedly have no minimum age for marriage, according to the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, a co-sponsor of the bill.
Dr. Rita Gallardo Good, a chair for the commission, noted the imbalance of power when children marry adults, stating, "When children are marrying adults, overwhelmingly girls marrying adult men, the imbalance of power is undeniable." Unchained at Last, another co-sponsor, characterized the law as a victory against statutory rape and human trafficking, asserting that existing marriage laws have previously provided legal workarounds for such offenses.
However, the bill faced opposition from groups like ACLU California Action. They argued that a total ban could negatively impact young pregnant mothers and parents by removing access to legal benefits, spousal support, and full health care autonomy. The organization also expressed concern that a ban could drive young people in abusive relationships further underground, away from social services.
Media personality Courtney Stodden, who has publicly shared her experience of marrying at age 16, was among those who advocated for the ban. She posted on Instagram after the bill signing, expressing gratitude that the state had protected future children.