Posted by: Swatantra_Nari August 16, 2006
What is the right age for marriage?
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Marriageable age Africa: Senegal: 20 for males, 16 for females. Ethiopia: Legally 18 for both males and females. In practice, however, children in rural areas are married young. It is not uncommon to see girls as young as 7 years of age being married. It is also unusual for a girl to be 16 and yet unmarried. Americas: Argentina: 21 generally; with parental consent is 16 for females, 18 for males. Under these ages only exceptional cases with judicial consent (See Articles 166, 167 and 168 - Marriage Section of the Argentine Civil Code). Brazil: 18 generally; 16 with parental consent; unlimited in case of pregnancy. Since 2003 marital status is granted by law to adolescents (legally defined as individuals from 12 to 17) living together to someone else, with family approval (article 1513 of the new Civil Code). Canada: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent, 14 with judicial consent. Chile: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent. Mexico: 18 for males, 16 for females. 16 for males or 14 for females only with parental or legal consent. Peru: 18 for all United States: Usually 18. Most states, however, allow marriage at a younger age with parental and/or judicial consent. Some states allow marriage at a still younger age if the female is pregnant. (Nationally few marry under the age of twenty.) Arizona: no statutory minimum, those under 18 must have parental consent, those under 16 must receive approval of a superior court judge and parental consent. (statute) California: no statutory minimum, those under 18 must receive approval of a superior court judge and parental consent. Georgia: 18 generally, 15 with parental consent, 16 without parental consent if pregnant Florida: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent. Michigan: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent. 15 and under with parental consent and probate judge approval. Mississippi: 17 for males, 15 for females, unlimited with parental consent. New Hampshire: 18 generally; 14 for males and 13 for females, in cases of "special cause" with parental consent and court permission. New York: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent, 14 for males and 13 for females with court permission. North Carolina: 18 generally, 16 with parental consent, unlimited in case of pregnancy or birth of child with parental consent. Texas: 18, 14 with parental consent.Texas Family Code Utah: 18 generally for first marriage, 16 with parental consent, 14 with court approval or previous marriage. Massachusetts: 18 generally for first marriage, 16 with parental consent. Asia: China (PRC): 22 for males, 20 for females. Hong Kong: 21, 16 with parental consent. India: 21 for males, 18 for females. Iran: 15 for males, 13 for females. Israel: 17 for females. Japan: 20 generally, 18 for males with parental consent, 16 for females with parental consent. Malaysia: 18 Generally, 16 for females with special consent from the head of state. Pakistan: 18 for males, 15 for females. Philippines: 20 for males, 18 for females, 16 for males and 14 for females with parental consent. Singapore: 21, 18 with parental consent, below 18 with special marriage license. South Korea: 18 for males, 16 for females. Taiwan:20 generally.18 for males,16 for females with parental consent. Thailand: 20, 15 with parental consent. Yemen: 9 ("In 1999, the minimum marriage age of fifteen for women, rarely enforced, was abolished; the onset of puberty, interpreted by conservatives to be at the age of nine, was set as a requirement for consummation of marriage."[1] see also Human rights in Yemen) Europe Belgium: 18, 16 with parental consent. Denmark: 18 generally, special immigration law only permits bringing home a foreign bride or groom if the other person is over 24, one can marry at 15 with special letter of approval from the Queen and parental consent (16 after 2005). Estonia: 18, 16 with parental consent. Finland: 18 generally, under 18 with the consent of the ministry of justice in extraordinary circumstances, in which case parents or other guardian must be heard, but actual parental consent is not required. France: 18 for males and females, without exceptions. (The 2005 law intends to protect minors from arranged childhood marriages, which had become a small problem among certain immigrant communities). Germany: 18 generally, 16 with court consent (partner must be 18 or older). Hungary: 18, 16 with parental consent. Republic of Ireland: 18, 16 with parental consent. Italy: 18 generally, 16 with permission from the tribunale dei minori. Netherlands: 18 generally, 16 if the female is pregnant or has a child. Norway: 18 generally, younger with consent from parents (guardian) and permission from the County Govenor. The County Govenor may only give permission when there are 'special reasons for contracting a marriage'. [1][2] Poland: 18, 16 for females with court consent Portugal: 18, 16 with parental consent (if not possible, the court can provide the consent). Romania: 18, 16 for females with parental consent. Russia: 18, 16 or 14 with consent of a parent or guardian (depends on region), unlimited under special circumstances. Sweden: 18 generally, underage may marry with permission from the county administrative board. Permission for underage to marry is given by the county administrative board. The county administrative board may only give permission when there are 'special reasons' but although the custodians of the underage should be heard if possible, the consent of the custodians is not required. The Swedish marriage law (SFS 1987:230), 2006-05-13 Switzerland: 18 Turkey: 18, 17 with parental consent, 16 under special circumstances with court approval. Ukraine: 18 for males, 17 for females, 16 with parental consent. United Kingdom England: 18, 16 with parental consent Wales: 18, 16 with parental consent Scotland: 16 Northern Ireland: 18, 17 with parental consent Jersey: 18, 16 with parental consent Oceania Australia: 18 generally, 16 under special circumstances with court approval. New Zealand: 18, 16 with parental consent. [3] From Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriageable_age
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