Arkansas Raises Minimum Marriage Age

You won’t be hearing wedding bells chiming for anyone under the age of 17 in Arkansas anymore. Governor Asa  Hutchinson signed a bill into law increasing the state’s minimum age to 17 for everyone.

Previously, 16-year-old girls and 17-year-old boys could get married with the consent of their parents. If the girl was pregnant, a judge could approve a marriage regardless of her age.

The new law raises the marriage age to 17 regardless of circumstances, and parental consent is still required.

Last year, Delaware became the first state in the U.S. to ban marriage for anyone under 18.