State Lawmakers Look to Raise Missouri’s Legal Marrying Age to 18
February 1, 2024 5:43AM CST
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A proposal to raise the legal marriage age in Missouri is being considered in the state senate.
It proposes to raise Missouri’s current legal age to marry to 18 and prevents anyone younger from being able to get married.
Identical bills are sponsored Republican Holly Thompson Rehder and Democrat Lauren Arthur. Rehder recounts her own story where she got married at the age of 15 to her, then, 21-year-old boyfriend…
Timothy Faber, a 40-plus-year minister who opposes the legislation, says he has never conducted a marriage ceremony for a minor, but says there could be a few (quote) “rare circumstances” where exceptions might be appropriate.
Currently in Missouri, 16 and 17-year-olds can get married with parental consent.