Do we need parental consent to get married at 17 after having a child?

Full question:

I gave birth to my child a week back. I want to get married to my boyfriend as soon as possible. We are 17 years old and are ready for this step. Is it necessary for us to get the consent of our parents?

  • Category: Minors
  • Subcategory: Age of Majority
  • Date:
  • State: South Carolina

Answer:

In South Carolina, if you are under 18 and have had a child, you can get a marriage license under certain conditions. According to S.C. Code Ann. § 20-1-300, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Provide a report or certificate from a licensed physician confirming the pregnancy or birth.
  • Both partners must agree to marry.
  • One parent of the female must give written consent, or a guardian or person in loco parentis can do so. If no qualified person is available, consent can come from the superintendent of the department of social services in the county where either party lives.
  • This applies regardless of the ages of both parties.
  • No further consent is needed from the male.

If your parents do not consent, you can seek approval from the department of social services as mentioned.

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.

FAQs

If you marry someone who has children, you are not automatically responsible for paying child support for those children. Child support obligations are typically assigned to the biological or legal parents of the child. However, if you adopt your spouse's child, you may then be liable for child support as a legal parent. Always consult a legal professional for advice specific to your situation.