What are the penalties for falsely stating age to get married in New Hampshire?

Full question:

My girlfriend and I are 17 years old living in New Hampshire. Last month we got married after making a false statement of our age to the clerk in order to obtain marriage certificate and the minister of religion in order to solemnize our marriage. What will be the penalty given to us?

  • Category: Marriage
  • Date:
  • State: New Hampshire

Answer:

In New Hampshire, making a false statement about age to obtain a marriage certificate or to have a marriage solemnized is a misdemeanor. According to RSA 457:9, anyone who knowingly provides false age information to induce a clerk to issue a marriage certificate for someone below the age of consent, or to persuade a minister to solemnize such a marriage, is guilty of this offense. RSA 457:8 states that no clerk should issue a marriage certificate for anyone below the age of consent without proper permission, and no minister should solemnize such a marriage if they know or have reason to believe the person is underage.

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 New Hampshire, the age of consent for marriage is 18 years old. However, individuals aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent and judicial approval. Without these, marriage is not legally permitted for those under 18. It's essential to follow these regulations to avoid legal issues.