Can a 16 year old in Virginia get married to their boyfriend?

Full question:

I am a 16 year old living in Virginia. I want to get married to my boyfriend. Will my marriage be valid?

  • Category: Marriage
  • Subcategory: Minor
  • Date:
  • State: Virginia

Answer:

In Virginia, the minimum age to marry is 18 unless you are emancipated by a court order. According to Virginia Code Annotated § 20-48, minors can marry at 18, but an emancipated minor must provide a certified copy of their emancipation order when applying for a marriage license. Therefore, unless you are emancipated, you cannot legally marry at 16.

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

In Virginia, the primary requirement to marry is that both parties must be at least 18 years old. If one or both are under 18, they need to be emancipated or have parental consent. An emancipated minor must provide a certified copy of their emancipation order when applying for a marriage license. Additionally, both parties must appear in person to apply for the license and provide valid identification.