Introduction

When we think of child marriage, many people imagine it as an issue affecting countries far from the United States. However, child marriage is still legal in multiple U.S. states, exposing thousands of young girls to a lifetime of vulnerability, abuse, and lost opportunities. Despite growing awareness and advocacy efforts, legal loopholes continue to allow underage marriages, raising serious human rights and public health concerns.

The Legal Landscape: Where Does the U.S. Stand?

The legal age for marriage in most U.S. states is 18, but a significant loophole exists—many states still allow minors to marry with parental consent and/or judicial approval. This means that children as young as 12 or 13 have been legally married in the U.S., often to much older men. According to Unchained At Last, nearly 300,000 minors were married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018.

States That Still Allow Child Marriage

As of 2025, child marriage remains legal in 37 U.S. states. Only 13 states have banned child marriage completely, setting the minimum marriage age at 18 with no exceptions. These states are:

Connecticut

Delaware

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

Virginia

Washington


In the remaining 37 states, child marriage is still permitted under certain conditions, usually with parental consent or judicial approval. Some states have no clear minimum age requirement, meaning judges could, in theory, approve a marriage for a child of any age.

How Old Are the Men Marrying These Girls?

Between 2000 and 2018, most child marriages in the U.S. involved young girls (16-17 years old) marrying adult men. The average age difference between spouses was four years, but there have been cases where girls as young as 12-14 were married to men significantly older than them. In some instances, child marriage has been used to cover up cases of statutory rape, as marriage can shield perpetrators from prosecution.

Why Is This Still Allowed?

Several factors contribute to the persistence of child marriage in the U.S.:

1. Parental Consent and Judicial Approval

Many states allow children under 18 to marry if they obtain parental consent and/or judicial approval. While this may sound reasonable, parental consent is not always voluntary—many children are forced or coerced into marriage by their families, often to preserve cultural or religious traditions. In states where judges can approve child marriages, decisions are often made without fully assessing the risk of coercion or abuse.

2. Cultural and Religious Practices

Certain communities in the U.S. still promote early marriage as a cultural or religious norm. Some conservative religious groups believe that marriage should occur soon after puberty, while others see it as a way to prevent premarital relationships. In these communities, girls are often pressured into marriage as a way to uphold family honor.

3. Legal Loopholes and Inconsistencies

The lack of federal legislation means marriage laws vary from state to state, creating loopholes that can be exploited. In some states, there is no explicit minimum marriage age if exceptions are granted, allowing very young children to marry under specific circumstances.

4. Avoiding Statutory Rape Charges

One of the most troubling aspects of child marriage in the U.S. is how it has been used to evade statutory rape laws. In some cases, adult men have married underage girls to avoid prosecution for sexual assault. This is because once married, sexual activity is no longer considered a crime, even if the child is under the age of consent.

The Devastating Impact of Child Marriage

Child marriage is not just a legal issue; it is a public health and human rights crisis. Girls who marry before 18 face severe consequences, including:

1. Increased Risk of Domestic Violence

Girls who marry before 18 are more likely to experience domestic abuse. According to the International Center for Research on Women, child brides face higher rates of physical and emotional abuse than their unmarried peers.

2. Lack of Education and Economic Independence

Early marriage often disrupts education. Many girls drop out of school due to marital responsibilities, pregnancy, or pressure from their spouse or in-laws. This severely limits their economic opportunities, trapping them in cycles of poverty.

3. Health Risks and Early Pregnancies

Child brides face higher risks of pregnancy-related complications. According to Save the Children, complications from pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 worldwide. In the U.S., child brides are more likely to experience maternal mortality, preterm births, and infant mortality.

4. Increased Risk of Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking

When a young girl is forced into marriage, it often masks cases of statutory rape or human trafficking. Legal loopholes allow men to marry underage girls, providing a shield against sexual assault charges.

What Are Trump and Vance Doing About This?

As of 2025, the Trump-Vance administration has not prioritized ending child marriage. Their policy focus has been primarily on promoting traditional family structures and increasing birth rates. Vice President JD Vance has pushed for expanding the child tax credit to support working families, aiming to make it easier for young parents to raise children. (cosm.aei.org)

Additionally, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a directive prioritizing transportation funding for communities with higher marriage and birth rates, supporting areas that align with the administration’s pro-family agenda. (6abc.com)

However, these initiatives do not address child marriage laws. Advocacy groups continue to push for federal legislation establishing a minimum marriage age of 18 nationwide, but the Trump-Vance administration has not taken steps to advance such policies.

What Can We Do?

Ending child marriage in the U.S. requires a collective effort. Here’s how you can help:

1. Raise Awareness – Many people don’t know child marriage is still legal. Share articles, documentaries, and survivor stories to spread the word.


2. Advocate for Policy Change – Support organisations lobbying to end child marriage, such as Unchained At Last and Girls Not Brides.


3. Contact Lawmakers – Urge your state representatives to pass legislation banning child marriage with no exceptions.


4. Support Survivors – Many girls escape forced marriages with no resources. Donate to shelters or legal aid groups that assist survivors.



Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action

Child marriage in the U.S. is a silent crisis that cannot be ignored. While progress has been made, loopholes still allow thousands of children—mostly girls—to be married before they are ready. It is time for all 50 states to outlaw child marriage once and for all, ensuring that no girl is forced into a lifetime of hardship before she even has a chance to grow up.

The fight to end child marriage in America is far from over, but with continued advocacy and policy change, we can ensure that every child has the right to a future free from coercion, abuse, and lost opportunities.