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Question: i am only 16 and my boyfriend is 21, can we get married with out having problems with the law?

Answer: According to Arizona Law, A.R.S. § 25-102, titled "Consent required for marriage of minors,” a person under the age of 18 cannot marry without the consent of the parent or guardian having custody of such person. A person under 16 cannot marry without the consent of the parent or guardian having custody of that person and the approval of any superior court judge in the state.

When both parents are living the consent of either parent is sufficient. When the parents are living apart, the consent shall be given by the parent who has the custody of the minor.

Before authorizing the marriage of a person who is under sixteen years of age, the court:

  1. Shall require both parties to the marriage to complete premarital counseling.The court may waive this requirement if the court determines that premarital counseling is not reasonably available. 
  2. Must find that the minor is entering into the marriage voluntarily.
  3. Must find that the marriage is in the best interests of the minor under the circumstances. 
  4. May require that the minor continue to attend school.
  5. May require any other condition that the court determines is reasonable under the circumstances.

A marriage shall not take place under this section if it is prohibited by the law relating to prohibited and void marriages (A.R.S. § 25-101).


Comments
1 thru 5 of 17 comments
On 04/29/09
emily from KY said:
okay idk wat to do im only 14 and my bf is bout to be 19 and we have talked bout gettin married but i think that im too young but were 2gether 4 another year or 2 then i wwouldnt mind bein married to him and i really do love him and hes never treated me bad or ne thing and if we r 2gether 4 a long time b4 we even deside to get married then i think my granny (thats who i live w/) would sighn 4 me...but the question is should i i would only b 16 though is that too young if u really love sum1 and have been to gether 4 like 3 years???
On 04/05/09
Rose from OR said:
I am 16 and my boyfriend is 19 the age difference is only three years which is legal as long as there is no sexual contact. MY parents have met him and they both really love him, but they can't get his age out of their heads. So they have told me i cannot see him. We have been together for a year even though my parents don't want us together. We plan to get married as soon as possible weather it is this year or two years from now. Just be careful with what your doing, if you really love him you need to wait and keep him out of trouble.If he really loves you,he will still love you in two year.
On 02/20/09
Desie from AZ said:
I think that they shouldnt e aloud to get married because she is to young to get maried to an 21 year old. if they did get married they would get into alot of trouble and the 21 year old would have to face consequences. they should wait till they are older well at least the 16 year old
On 01/30/09
Steve from CA said:
It is perfectly fine, however the boyfriend must watch his actions very carefully. In this sort of thing, if the girlfriend is mad, or upset, all she has to do is say you sexually violated her, and more than likly the boyfriend will spend time in jail. Adult and minor relationships is a very high risk gamble, and certainly NOT recommended. With marrying, it must be in consent of the parents first, and there has to be proof the minor is free willingly WANTING the marriage.
On 01/14/09
Mariah from AZ said:
I have been married for over a year now and i dont think you are too young to decide to get married, i do feel as though you need to be in a stable relationship with the person you are going to marry. i was with my husband for two and a half years before we got married and he has a child from his ex. i am a mother and a wife i am expecting my first child with him in April. you are never too young to make your own decision just be sure its what you want!
1 thru 5 of 17 comments



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