Oklahoma recently became the 17th state in the United States to prohibit child marriage. Child marriage involves at least one individual under 18, viewed by the United Nations as a human rights violation and a form of forced marriage.
In 2017, all 50 states allowed marriage for those under 18. As of now, 17 states and Washington, D.C., have raised the legal marriage age to 18 for everyone under all circumstances.
Between 2000 and 2018, approximately 300,000 children, as young as ten, were married in the U.S. Most were girls married to adult men, based on data from the nonprofit Unchained at Last, dedicated to ending child marriage in the country.
Oklahoma Bans Child Marriage
Oklahoma has passed a bill requiring everyone wishing to marry in the state to be at least 18, without exceptions. The state Senate unanimously approved the bill, while the House experienced some debate before it passed by one vote.
Previously, state law allowed minors to marry with parental or guardian consent, and those 16 or younger required court approval.
States Where Child Marriage Is Still Legal
According to Unchained At Last, the following states still permit some form of child marriage:
- 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
Despite legality, numerous lawmakers work to eliminate these laws. In Wisconsin, Democratic lawmakers proposed a bill to abolish child marriage, ensuring all individuals marrying must be 18 and older, with no exceptions.
Advocates argue child marriage makes minors vulnerable to abuse due to limited legal rights. A concern is state law inconsistencies allow minors to get married in states where child marriage remains legal.
Which States Have Fully Banned Child Marriage
The following states fully prohibit marriage for individuals 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
The new law in Oklahoma will take effect on November 1.