Is it possible for a 15-year-old girl under Oklahoma law to marry her boyfriend if she obtained parental consent?

Full question:

I live in Oklahoma and I am 15 years old. Is it possible under Oklahoma law to marry boyfriend if I obtain parental consent?

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

Answer:

In Oklahoma, a person must be 18 years old to enter in a marriage relation without parental approval and as young as 16 with written parental consent and court authorization.  Every person under the age of 16 years is expressly forbidden and prohibited from entering into the relationship. However, if the minor under 16 is pregnant or has a child, or the court orders so in a settlement of suit regarding paternity, he or she may get married through a court order and parental consent or consent by legal guardian. As you are 15 years old and as a person under age of 16 is prohibited to marry per Oklahoma law, you may not be able to marry your boyfriend even if you obtain parental consent. However, upon authorization of the court you may marry if, you are pregnant, or have a child or authorized by the court in settlement of a suit for seduction or paternity. The provisions regarding the persons authorized to marry is provided in 43 Okl. St. § 3. It reads as follows:
 
“A. Any unmarried person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and not otherwise disqualified is capable of contracting and consenting to marriage with a person of the opposite sex.

B. 
   1. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, no person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall enter into the marriage relation, nor shall any license issue therefor, except:
          a. upon the consent and authority expressly given by the parent or guardian of such underage applicant in the presence of the       authority issuing such license,
          b. upon the written consent of the parent or guardian of such underage applicant executed and acknowledged in person before a       judge of the district court or the court clerk of any county within the State of Oklahoma,
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              2. 
       Every person under the age of sixteen (16) years is expressly forbidden and prohibited from entering into the marriage relation except when authorized by the court:
              a. in settlement of a suit for seduction or paternity, or

             b. if the unmarried female is pregnant, or has given birth to an illegitimate child and at least one parent of each minor, or the      guardian or custodian of such child, is present before the court and has an opportunity to present evidence in the event such  parent, guardian, or custodian objects to the issuance of a marriage license. If they are not present the parent, guardian, or custodian may be given notice of the hearing at the discretion of the court.

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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 Oklahoma, minors under 18 generally cannot move out without parental consent. At 15, you would need your parents' permission to live independently. Additionally, if you are facing issues at home, you might consider seeking help from local social services or legal aid to explore your options.