When Can You Legally Get Married in Arizona?
There are so many jokes about how people in more rural areas often marry very young. We commonly think of southern states like Arkansas and Mississippi as having a very young age of consent for marriage.
I was surprised to learn that in Arkansas, you can't just run off and elope at 14 years old. In the Natural State, you have to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent.
In Mississippi, you can be slightly younger. If you're at least 17 years old, you're good to run off and get hitched.
READ: Polygamy in Arizona: A Controversial and Criminal Practice
Which States Have the Youngest Age of Consent for Marriage in the US?
What surprised me was that Massachusetts and New Hampshire are the states with the youngest marriage age in the United States. The revelation that you can marry at the tender age of only 14 (with parental consent) was eye-opening.
A few more states with young marriage ages are Hawaii and Alabama. If your parents are cool with it, you can marry at 15 years old in Hawaii. With parental consent, you can tie the knot at 16 in Alabama.
READ: Can You Legally Marry Your First Cousin in Arizona
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married in Arizona?
So, how old do you have to be to get married in the Grand Canyon State?
In Arizona, if you're under 18 years old, the legal age to get married depends on parental consent. According to Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 25-102, "individuals who are at least 16 years old can marry if they have parental consent. Without parental consent, the minimum age is 18 years old. Persons under 16 cannot marry under any circumstances."
Marriage at such a tender age is not necessarily for everyone. The level of maturity of the individuals involved and a solid means to support yourself and your spouse should be considered if you're considering getting married so young.
Otherwise, it might be a good idea to wait a few years!
Sources: Zola Law | AZ Revised Statutes | FindLaw | Wikipedia
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