Oklahoma Bans Child Marriage, Joining Growing List of States Raising Legal Age
Oklahoma is now the 17th state in the U.S. to prohibit child marriage. This type of marriage involves at least one individual under the age of 18. The United Nations considers it a human rights violation and a form of forced marriage.
In 2017, individuals under 18 could marry in all 50 U.S. states. Less than a decade later, 17 states along with Washington, D.C., have increased the minimum age to 18 without exceptions. From 2000 to 2018, about 300,000 children, some as young as 10, were legally married in the U.S. Most were girls marrying adult men, based on data from the nonprofit organization Unchained at Last that aims to stop child marriage in the nation.
Oklahoma Bans Child Marriage
Oklahoma has passed new legislation making 18 the minimum age for marriage. The state Senate supported the bill unanimously, although the state House saw debate among some Republicans before it passed by a single vote. Previous laws in Oklahoma allowed minors to marry with parental or guardian consent. Those aged 16 or younger needed court approval.
States Where Child Marriage Remains Legal
According to Unchained at Last, child marriage is still legal in several states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Efforts continue to change this situation. In Wisconsin, Democratic lawmakers have proposed a law to end child marriage entirely by setting the minimum age at 18.
Advocates argue that child marriage exposes minors to abuse due to their limited legal rights. They also highlight that varying state laws allow minors to be moved to states where child marriage is still allowed.
States with Full Bans on Child Marriage
The following states have completely banned marriage for those under 18:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
What Happens Next
Oklahoma’s new law will take effect on November 1.