California has become the 18th US state to completely ban child marriage after Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation establishing 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage, without exceptions.
The legislation, Assembly Bill 1267, was signed on September 30, 2026, following years of campaigning by child marriage survivors, lawmakers and advocacy organisations.
The new law will take effect on January 1, 2027, eliminating provisions that previously allowed minors to marry with parental consent and judicial approval.
The move places California among states that have established an absolute minimum marriage age of 18, closing legal exceptions that advocates say exposed children to forced marriages, exploitation and abuse.
What Does California's New Law Change?
Under California's previous legal framework, individuals younger than 18 could marry after obtaining court approval and written consent from at least one parent or guardian.
Assembly Bill 1267 repeals those provisions, preventing individuals under 18 from obtaining marriage licences or establishing domestic partnerships.
The legislation was authored by Democratic Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and received bipartisan legislative support.
According to the California Governor's Office, 17 other states had already completely prohibited child marriage without exceptions before the legislation was signed.
California's addition brings the total to 18.
Nearly a Decade of Campaigning
The legislation follows nearly a decade of efforts to eliminate child marriage in California.
Advocates, including survivors of underage marriages, argued that children can face significant barriers when attempting to escape marriages involving coercion, abuse or exploitation.
They highlighted concerns about interrupted education, financial dependence and the difficulty minors may face when seeking legal assistance or alternative accommodation.
California was previously one of three US states without a statutory minimum marriage age, alongside Mississippi and New Mexico.
The new legislation establishes a clear minimum age and removes the previous legal exceptions.
Courtney Stodden Attends Signing Ceremony
Child marriage survivor and advocate Courtney Stodden attended the signing ceremony alongside Governor Newsom and lawmakers.
Stodden married actor Doug Hutchison in 2011, when she was 16 and he was 50.
She subsequently became an advocate for ending child marriage and worked with organisations campaigning for stronger legal protections.
Following the signing, Stodden said the decision was a victory for survivors and pledged to continue campaigning until children are protected from marriage across all 50 states.
Newsom described the legislation as a long-overdue measure to protect young Californians.
How Many US States Still Allow Child Marriage?
California's decision brings the number of states with an absolute ban to 18.
The remaining 32 states continue to permit some form of underage marriage under varying legal conditions.
These exceptions differ by state and may involve parental consent, judicial approval or other specific circumstances.
Mississippi and New Mexico are expected to remain the only two states without a statutory minimum marriage age after California's law takes effect.
The wider US debate over child marriage continues, with campaigners calling for nationwide legal protections.
When Will the California Ban Take Effect?
Assembly Bill 1267 will become effective on January 1, 2027.
From that date, California will prohibit marriage and domestic partnerships involving anyone under 18, without parental or judicial exceptions.
The legislation marks a significant change in California's marriage laws after years of advocacy and legislative debate.
It also adds momentum to efforts to establish 18 as the minimum marriage age throughout the United States.
