Missouri Legislators Ban Child Marriage, Raise Legal Age to Marry to 18

Missouri is the most recent state to prohibit the marriage of minors

 

Beginning August 28th, 2025, you must be at least 18 years old to get married in Missouri.

 

Governor Kehoe signed a bill last week that repeals provisions which allowed 16 and 17 year old children to marry a partner 21 or younger if they had a parent or guardian’s permission - raising the legal age to marry in Missouri to 18 without exceptions. 

 

This legislation (MO SB43) was widely supported by lawmakers from both political parties, with the exception of a few Republican legislators who spoke out against raising the marriage age. 

 

This strong bipartisan support reflects increasing awareness of the potential harms of underage marriage, especially on young girls. Studies show that girls who marry under the age of 18 have a higher risk of pregnancy complications and dying during childbirth; and a higher risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. Underage marriage can also come with higher poverty rates, fewer educational achievements, limited access to healthcare, poor mental health, and limited future prospects when compared to those who marry later. 

 

Despite these risks, an estimated “300,000 children [were] married in the United States (U.S.) between 2000 and 2018,” 96% of whom were 16 or 17 years old, and 78% of whom were underage girls marrying adult men. (Reiss, 2021) 

 

The frequency of underage marriage has declined in recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of legislators. For example, Oregon’s marriage age was raised to 18 earlier this year, and Washington’s marriage age was raised to 18 in 2024. Several other states have also banned child marriage in recent years, including Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Michigan.

 

Missouri’s new marriage age of 18 will go into effect on August 28th, 2025. 

 

• See all Missouri marriage laws 

 

• Read the full text of SB 43: Modifies provisions relating to protection of vulnerable persons, sponsored by Sen. Travis Fitzwater [R] and Rep. Wendy Hausman [R].

 

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Which states ban child marriage?

 

Including Missouri, underage marriage is now illegal in 18 states and territories (at the time of writing): 

 

Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. 

 

Learn More: How Old Do You Have To Be To Get Married In Each State?

 

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How will this law affect AMM Ministers who officiate weddings in Missouri? 

 

Raising the legal marriage age in Missouri will not impact the role of AMM Ministers who solemnize marriage there. Because marriage licenses are issued by the clerk’s office, it will be the clerk’s responsibility to confirm that each person is old enough to get married when they issue the license. 

 

However, all ministers who perform marriage ceremonies should confirm the names of the people they’re marrying before the wedding. This can be done by comparing a person’s government-issued ID or photo ID card to the name printed on their marriage license. 

 

To become a wedding officiant in Missouri, click the links below! 

 

• How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Missouri

 

• Get Ordained In Missouri
   
• How To Officiate a Wedding in Missouri
   

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