California Bans Child Marriage, Protecting Minors

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California has officially prohibited child marriage, joining the growing list of states that have taken this step. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, declaring it a crucial action to safeguard minors in the state.

“Today, California kids are safer than ever before,” remarked Newsom, emphasizing the importance of this change. He was accompanied by Courtney Stodden, an advocate and survivor of child marriage, who married actor Doug Hutchison at 16. Stodden has described this past relationship as abusive.

Stodden expressed her relief on Instagram, sharing with her followers, “i spent years wishing someone had protected the little girl i used to be. today, california protected the next one.” Her post resonated widely, garnering over 20,000 likes.

The Journey to Change

Previously, California was one of just three states without a minimum marrying age. The new law requires individuals to be 18 to marry. This legislative change follows nearly a decade of efforts. Past attempts faced resistance from organizations like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, who were concerned about reproductive rights and healthcare access for minors. In 2018, a law was passed to ensure judicial review of potential coercion and abuse in underage marriage cases.

In 2026, however, Planned Parenthood adopted a neutral stance on the matter, easing one of the major points of opposition. With this hurdle removed, the legislation successfully passed and received Governor Newsom’s signature.

Understanding Child Marriage

Child marriage involves at least one participant being younger than 18, a situation recognized by the United Nations as infringing on children’s rights. UNICEF notes that girls face a higher risk, with marriages involving boys occurring at a significantly lower rate. Affected girls often face domestic violence and interrupted education.

Advocacy groups point to the vulnerability of minors in these marriages. While state laws vary, some minors are still transported across state lines to wed where laws are less strict. Since 2017, while all fifty states allowed marriage under 18, 18 states, along with Washington D.C., have since set the bar at 18 with no exceptions.

The Ongoing Fight Against Child Marriage

Between 2000 and 2018, reports from the nonprofit Unchained at Last indicate that approximately 300,000 children as young as ten were wed in the U.S., predominantly girls. California’s U.S. Census data from 2021 revealed over 8,000 minors, mostly girls, had married in the preceding year. Despite the ban in some states, child marriage persists.

On the legislative front, the fight continues. Oklahoma recently became the 17th state to raise the marriage age to 18 without exceptions, taking effect on November 1.