 |
Speak Up! - View Question #23804 |
|
| « LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #23804 |
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:
- 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.
- Must find that the minor is entering into the marriage voluntarily.
- Must find that the marriage is in the best interests of the minor under the circumstances.
- May require that the minor continue to attend school.
- 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 |
| 11 thru 15 of 17 comments |
On 05/29/08
?? from CA said:
i was 16 turning 17 and he was 20 turning 21 and my mother knew we were together i thnk that if you are in love then you should be able to love that person wether he is 6 or 8 years older than you if he or she loves their other mate then they should be able to share their life together and not be ashamed of showing their affection in public or behind doors because i love my boyfriend and that is why it should be allowed.
|
On 05/27/08
raerae from NY said:
i am in the same deal i think it should be aloud
|
On 03/06/08
Ryan from AZ said:
Sorry but there is no 16 year old in the world who is mature enough to get married, they might think they are but they aren't
|
On 02/08/08
Teresa from WA said:
I was extremely mature at 16 when I married my
"first" husband of 21. I watched my husband change
so much after our marriage. He became possessive.
He wouldn't let me get my driver's license, he took me to and from work, and stopped me from going to night school. He even pushed the grocery cart. It got stifling. It wasn't the 16 year old that needed to grow up, it was the 21 year old.
And, yes most 16 year olds know the difference between love and lust. But, remember, people live way longer nowadays, why choose at 16 whom you will live with for 70 years or so? If it is real; wait.
|
On 02/05/08
Marie from CA said:
Kids getting married? You have a whole life ahead of you. My suggestion to you and I hope you take it into serious consideration and a lot of thought, WAIT! Have you given your future a planned out thought? Besides getting married, what do you want to do with your life as far as after graduating high school, are you planning on furthering your education? You are living in a box and not seeing the whole picture. Think outside the box and figure out who you are and what you really want in life. LISTEN to the adults (Mom, dad, grandma or grandma)They care about you. Try and see their side.
|
| 11 thru 15 of 17 comments |
|
|
| Read more about the law and Marriage |
|
| « LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #23804 |
|