In brief
California has become the 18th state to ban child marriage, a long‑overdue law that sets 18 as the minimum age for marriage. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill alongside former child bride Brittany Bee, who campaigned for the prohibition. The new law takes effect on 1 January 2027 and ends criminal claims that children could marry before adulthood. While the ban protects California’s young residents, 32 other states still allow marriages at 16 or 17 with parental consent. Advocates expect the law to galvanise national reform and protect thousands of children who may currently face forced unions.
California has officially banned child marriage, putting a legal end to a practice that is still allowed in 32 U.S. states. On 1 January 2027 the new law requires all parties to be at least 18 years old to marry.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill in a ceremony that also featured Brittany Bee, a former child bride who married a 50‑year‑old Hollywood actor at 16. Bee, who has since campaigned for reform, called the measure a “victory” and said survivors of child marriage “should never have been expected to carry this burden.”
The legislation follows a decade of advocacy. Until now, California had no minimum age set for marriage and parents could sign off on unions even when minors were involved. Advocates say roughly 9,000 girls married each year in California, most to adult men, and there was no statutory path for youth to exit abusive marriages.
Other survivors, including Sara Tasneen, who was married at 15 and became a mother at 16, applauded the ban. Tasneen said the new law “finally recognises that child marriage should be banned” and pledged to continue lobbying across all 50 states.
Experts note that California’s action may influence other states. Gov. Newsom called the law an “overdue measure to protect young Californians.” He hopes the ban sets a national conversation in motion to end child marriage across the United States.
