Cuomo Bars 17-Year-Olds from Marrying: Even with Parental Permission

     Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today signed that raised the age of consent to be married in New York State from 17 to 18. 

     In 2016, the New York State Assembly first introduced a law to eliminate child marriage from ages 14 to 17, and in 2017 that bill passed, while allowing 17-year-olds to marry if they wished, as long as they provided the permission of both sets of parents and a judge.

    Now that option for 17-year-olds has been eliminated.

     "This administration fought hard to successfully end child marriage in New York and I'm proud to sign this legislation to strengthen our laws and further protect vulnerable children from exploitation," said Gov. Cuomo, who is facing countless charges of harassment. "Children should be allowed to live their childhoods, and I thank the many legislators and advocates who worked diligently to advance this measure and further prevent forced marriages in this state."

     This legislation takes effect 30 days after becoming law and will apply to licenses issued after that date..

     "Regardless of maturity level, minors lack sufficient legal rights and autonomy that they need to protect them if they enter a marriage contract before becoming adults,” state Sen. Julia Salazar said. “The vast majority of minors who enter marriage are teenage girls, and getting married before adulthood often has devastating consequences for them. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this bill to finally prohibit child marriage without exceptions in New York, and commend the continued work of Unchained At Last in advocating to prohibit child marriage nationwide."

Photo by: shlomysphotos