Full question:
I am 15 years old and I live in Texas. I like to marry a person who is 21 years old. Is it essential to obtain court’s order? Can I marry after obtaining parental consent?
- Category: Marriage
- Subcategory: Minor
- Date:
- State: Texas
Answer:
In Texas, if either party is younger than 16 years old, the marriage is void unless a court order is obtained. You can marry after getting a court order.
According to Texas Family Code § 6.205, a marriage is void if either party is younger than 16, unless a court order is granted under § 2.103. This section allows a minor to petition the court for permission to marry. The petition must be filed in the county where a parent resides, unless a court has granted another person the right to consent to the marriage.
The petition needs to include:
- Reasons for wanting to marry
- Status of each parent (living or deceased)
- Names and addresses of living parents
- Information about any court-awarded consent rights
Each living parent or the person with consent rights must be served with process. The court will appoint an attorney to represent the minor. If the court believes that the marriage is in the minor's best interest, it will grant permission to marry.
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.