Full question:
My boyfriend and I are orphans and we live in California. We have been dating for 3 years now. We are 17 and 16 years of age respectively and would like to get married. Whose consent should we seek?
- Category: Marriage
- Date:
- State: California
Answer:
In California, individuals under the age of eighteen need parental consent to marry. However, since both you and your boyfriend are orphans, you can seek a court order for permission to marry instead.
According to California Family Code § 302, a minor can consent to marriage if they obtain a court order. This order must be filed with the court clerk, and a certified copy must be presented to the county clerk when applying for a marriage license.
Additionally, California Family Code § 303 states that if a minor lacks a parent or guardian capable of consenting, the court can grant permission for the minor to marry. The court will consider your maturity and the circumstances surrounding your request.
Ultimately, the court will decide whether to allow the marriage based on your ability to demonstrate maturity and readiness for marriage.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.