People > Marriage, divorce and children > Marriageable age > Notes: Countries Compared
DEFINITION:
Notes.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
COUNTRY | DESCRIPTION |
---|---|
Afghanistan | In some cases, even younger girls are forced to marry at the age of 8. |
Albania | url= http://genderindex.org/country/albania |title=Gender Equality in Albania | Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |publisher=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Algeria | Lower with judicial permission if necessity or benefit is established. |
Angola | Parental consent, although this restriction is not enforced effectively and the traditional age of marriage in lower income groups often coincides with the onset of puberty. |
Argentina | Lower with judicial consent only in exceptional cases. |
Armenia | title=UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: Second Periodic Reports of States Parties Due in 2000, Armenia|url= http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,CRC,,ARM,,45377e75b,0.html|publisher=UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)}} See section 48</ref> |
Australia | 16 with permission from a court and both parents (only granted in exceptional circumstances). |
Austria | url= http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/canberra/practical-advice/travelling-to-austria/marriage-in-austria.html |title=Austrian Foreign Ministry -> Embassy -> Canberra -> Marriage in Austria |publisher=Bmeia.gv.at |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Azerbaijan | 17 or 16 correspondingly in special cases. |
Bangladesh | Bangladeshi law provides for penal sanctions for the contraction of under-age marriages, though such unions are not considered invalid. |
Belarus | url= http://www.ageofconsent.com/belarus.htm |title=Belarus |publisher=Age of Consent |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Belgium | Younger with parental and judicial consent, but permission is only granted in "extreme" situations such as pregnancy. |
Brazil | 16 with parental or guardian consent. The marriage of someone who is under 16 years can also be authorized, but only in cases of pregnancy, or to avoid the imposition of a criminal penalty (statutory rape). |
Brunei | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Bulgaria | 16 with parental consent and permission of the local court but the other partner must be 18 or older. |
Canada | Varies by province , but generally 18 years old, 16 years with parental consent, and 15 years with judicial consent. |
Chile | 16 with parental consent. |
China | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Colombia | If married under 18 and without parents' consent, the minor can lose from half to all his inheritance rights. However, the marriage will still be valid. |
Croatia | 16 with court permission. |
Cyprus | author=cyprus-wedding.com |url= http://www.cyprus-wedding.com/Cyprus_marriage_rules.htm |title=Cyprus marriage rules and regulations - Cyprus wedding paperwork |publisher=Cyprus-wedding.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Czech Republic | 16 with parental consent but the other partner must be 18 or older. |
Denmark | 15 with an exemption named "Kongebrev" (which is a "letter from the king [granting an exemption]"). Today, local authorities may give approval if the couple has their own home. A foreigner marrying a Dane does not receive residency permission, unless both spouses are at least 24 years old under the 24 year rule . |
Egypt | The age was raised in 2008 from 16 to 18 for females. |
Estonia | url= http://www.ageofconsent.com/estonia.htm |title=Estonia - Age of sexual consent |publisher=Ageofconsent.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Ethiopia | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Fiji | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Finland | Under 18 with the consent of the ministry of justice in extraordinary circumstances, in which case parents or other guardian must be heard, but actual parental consent is not required. |
France | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4838090.stm | work=BBC News | title=France raises marriage age limit | date=23 March 2006}}</ref> but the age condition may be waived with a special dispense granted by the authorities if at least one parent consents to the marriage (or one grandparent if both parents are dead or unable to give consent, or a family council if all parents and grandparents are dead or unable to give consent). After 18, parents (or grandparents) may still prevent the marriage by refusing their consent, but their opposition may be waived by the authorities, whereas before 18, their consent is absolutely needed. |
Georgia | 15 with parental consent. |
Germany | 16 with court permission and parental consent. |
Greece | 16 with consent from both parents and court permission. |
Hong Kong | url= http://www.legislation.gov.hk/eng/home.htm |title=Department of Justice: Bilingual Laws Information System |publisher=Legislation.gov.hk |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Hungary | 16 with parental consent. |
Iceland | Under 18 with parental consent and permission of the Ministry of the Interior. |
India | url= http://india.gov.in/howdo/howdoi.php?service=3 |title=Obtain Marriage Certificate - How do I: National Portal of India |publisher=India.gov.in |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> If any partner(s) engages in marriage at a younger age, (s)he can ask for the marriage to be declared void. A recent recommendation by the Law Commission aims to equalize the marriage age for males and females to 18. Official policy automatically declares marriages under 16 as "null and void", while marriages at the age of 16 or 17 are "voidable". In 2012, high court has declared that Muslim women can marry at 15. Additionally, the report declares that "In spite of these legal provisions, child marriage is still widely practiced and a marriage solemnized in contravention of these provisions is not void even under the new PCMA, 1929, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and also under the Muslim Law." |
Indonesia | url= http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/indonesia.htm |title=Indonesia |publisher=Law.emory.edu |date=1997-02-12 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Iran | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Iraq | 15 with judicial permission if fitness, physical capacity and guardian's consent (or unreasonable objection on part of guardian) are established. (These rules may have been revised after Saddam Hussein 's fall.) |
Ireland | url= http://dublin.usembassy.gov/service/other-citizen-services/other-citizen-services/marriage-in-ireland.html |title=Marriage In Ireland | Embassy of the United States Dublin, Ireland |publisher=Dublin.usembassy.gov |date=2012-09-26 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Israel | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Italy | 16 with court consent. |
Japan | url= http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7114a.html |title=American Citizen Services | Embassy of the United States Tokyo, Japan |publisher=Tokyo.usembassy.gov |date=2012-10-17 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Jordan | Court permission is required for females under 18 to marry men older by 20 years or more. |
Kazakhstan | 16 with parental consent. |
Kenya | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Kuwait | url= http://www.law.emory.edu/ifl/legal/kuwait.htm |title=Kuwait, State of |publisher=Law.emory.edu |date=1962-11-11 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Kyrgyzstan | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Latvia | 16 with court and/or parental permission. |
Lebanon | 15, or 9 with judicial permission for Shi'a. 18 or 17 and 16 or 15 with judicial permission for Druze. |
Libya | But lower with judicial permission on grounds of benefit or necessity and with wali's agreement. |
Lithuania | url= http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:yvIqWHiISFgJ:www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaLithuania.pdf lithuania age of consent interpol&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi0C0o0KxrchPH7-cgnwLw8l9STSGqek6FgmlZbX1FW219q-nhlrRA4pHiMnbOZlQD4Ci-z8_TPuz3JGI5j3QeqE73RMNsoRtKjdtK-qJ9OxiQh8kGTRKil4Aoc80DOVrh4BX0X&sig=AHIEtbRwMRy1vEGSvVjsc2QmIUNUFc_l2A |title=Powered by Google Docs |publisher=Docs.google.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Madagascar | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Malaysia | 18 with parental consent. Muslim girls under 16 can marry with the permission of sharia authorities. |
Maldives | According to custom, the minimum age for marriage is 15. The Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child discourages marriage before the age of 16. |
Mali | (Proposed by the Malian Family Code ) |
Malta | 17 with parental consent. |
Mauritania | Despite legislation defining marriageable age, judges can use their discretionary powers to marry even minors. |
Mexico | title=C\u00d3DIGO Civil Federal|url= http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/ccf.htm|accessdate=9 April 2012}}</ref> |
Mongolia | url= http://genderindex.org/country/mongolia |title=Gender Equality in Mongolia | Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) |publisher=Genderindex.org |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Morocco | (This is not always followed in rural areas and many judges do not uphold this law and let women younger than 18 marry.) Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Nauru | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Nepal | 18 for males and 16 for females with parental permission. |
Netherlands | Under 18 with parental consent; in case of pregnancy or with personal permission from the Minister of Justice. |
New Zealand | 16 with parental consent. |
Niger | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Nigeria | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Norway | url= http://www.lovdata.no/all/hl-19910704-047.html#1 |title=LOV 1991-07-04 nr 47: Lov om ekteskap |publisher=Lovdata.no |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref> |
Pakistan | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Papua New Guinea | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Paraguay | Article 39, clause "b", of the Paraguayan Civil Code reads: \u201cThe legal incapacity of minors will cease: ...(b) for gentlemen of 16 and for women of 14 years completed, through marriage, with the limitations established in this Code\u201d . |
Philippines | url= http://www.chanrobles.com/executiveorderno209.htm |title=Family Code of the Philippines |publisher=Gov.ph |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref> On the other hand, Muslim marriages in the Philippines is based on the sharia : 15 years for males and as for females, the onset of puberty to age 15, whichever comes first. |
Poland | 16 for women with judicial approval. |
Portugal | 16 with parental consent (or if this is unattainable, the court can provide the consent). |
Puerto Rico | (Younger parties may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child), and 18 with parental consent. |
Romania | url= http://www.e-juridic.ro/index.php?pag=a&id=130&s=Codul familiei&aid=1047 |title=Codul familiei - Incheierea casatoriei |publisher=E-juridic.ro |date= |accessdate=2008-10-27}}</ref> |
Russia | author=helplinelaw |url= http://www.helplinelaw.com/article/russia/120 |title=Russia Marriage Procedure In Russia, Lawyers, Law Firms Lawyer, Injury, Attorney in Russia |publisher=Helplinelaw.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Senegal | Cite error: There are <ref> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist}} template (see the help page ). |
Serbia | 16 with court consent. |
Singapore | 18 with parental consent; below 18 with special marriage license. |
Slovakia | url= http://family.jrank.org/pages/1587/Slovakia-Marriage.html |title=Slovakia - Marriage - Cohabitation, Family, Rights, and Law - JRank Articles |publisher=Family.jrank.org |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Slovenia | 15 with parental consent. |
Somalia | For females with guardian's consent. Court may grant exemption from minimum age requirements in case of necessity. |
South Africa | For a marriage under the Marriage Act, 1961 , parental consent is required for the marriage of a party under the age of majority , which was formerly 21 but is now 18. The special consent of the Minister of Home Affairs is also required for the marriage of a girl under the age of 15 or a boy under the age of 18. |
South Korea | With parental consent |
South Sudan | With the consent of both parties, under the South Sudan Child Act 2008. |
Spain | 16 with parental consent. |
Sri Lanka | However, the parties must have a Quazi's permission to marry before contracting into marriage if they are Muslims. |
Sudan | With requirement for willing consent of both parties. |
Sweden | Under 18 with permission from the county administrative board (LST). The county administrative board may only give permission when there are 'special reasons' but although the custodians of the underage should be heard if possible, the consent of the custodians is not required. Although the law specifies no lower age limit to enter into marriage, the policy of the LST is to not grant any permission to a person under 15 years of age. |
Switzerland | url= http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/210/a94.html |title=SR 210 Art. 94 A. Capacity to marry (Swiss Civil Code) |publisher=Admin.ch |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Syria | judicial discretion for males of 15 and females of 13; judge may withhold permission for marriage if court finds incompatibility in age between betrothed parties. |
Tanzania | 15 with court permission if specific circumstances make marriage appear desirable. The Penal Code provides that persons of "African or Asiatic descent" may marry or permit marriage of a girl under 12 in accordance with their custom or religion if marriage is not intended to be consummated before she is 12. |
Thailand | url= http://www.siam-legal.com/Thailand_Service/thailand-marriage-laws.php |title=Marriage Registration in Thailand | Siam Legal International |publisher=Siam-legal.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> |
Tunisia | Lower with judicial special permission for pressing reasons and with a clear interest for both spouses. |
Turkey | 17 with parental consent, 16 in special circumstances with court approval. |
United Kingdom | England and Wales : 16 with parental consent. |
United States | Generally 18, but varies by state. Most states allow minors to marry with judicial and/or parental consent. Main article: Age of marriage in United States of America |
Uzbekistan | 17 and 16 correspondingly in special conditions. |
Venezuela | 15 for females and 16 for males with parental consent. |
Yemen | In practice, "Yemeni law allows girls of any age to wed, but it forbids sex with them until the indefinite time they are 'suitable for sexual intercourse'." Following the widely publicised divorce of a 10 year-old girl in 2008, and a 6 year old married, there have been public and parliamentary efforts to raise the age to 17 or 18. |
Zimbabwe | The Marriages Act [Chapter 5:11]. Under this legislation, a man may marry at the minimum age of 18 while a woman may marry at the minimum age of 16. |