Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

minimum age for marriage, even with parents consent

What is the absolute minimum age for marriage with parents and a judge's consent. This is for both Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.


Asked on 12/20/05, 5:37 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

Re: minimum age for marriage, even with parents consent

In Pennsylvania a marriage license will be issued to an applicant under 18 years old if there is parental consent. However, even will parental consent, a marriage license will not be issued for anyone under 16 years of age unless the court decides that it is the best interest of the applicant and authorizes the issuance of the license. See 23 PA C.S.A. 1304.

As for Mass. you would have to check the law there.

How old is the person in question.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

{John}

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Answered on 12/20/05, 7:44 pm
Raymond P. Bilodeau Law Office of Raymond P. Bilodeau

Re: minimum age for marriage, even with parents consent

In MA, a person must be 18 to marry without parental permission or permission of a court.

The age restriction for persons under 18 seeking permission seems to have been omitted in the recent amendments, so there is no lower age limit as a matter of law for seeking court approval or marriage with the consent of the parents. This is not consistent with MA practice and you may find a town or city clerk who will refuse a marriage license to a person under some age younger that 18 (it used to be 14 for males and 12 for females).

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Answered on 12/20/05, 7:57 pm


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