Gavin Newsom Signs Law Banning Child Marriage in California

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 on Wednesday, banning child marriage and domestic partnerships in California. The law establishes 18 as the minimum legal age to wed, repealing previous provisions that allowed minors to marry with parental consent and a court order. The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2027.

California was previously one of only three states without a statutory minimum marriage age. Global Hope 365 reported that approximately 35,000 marriages involving minors occurred in the state between 2000 and 2021, primarily involving underage girls and adult men. The ban follows nearly a decade of effort by lawmakers and advocates. Previous attempts were blocked by the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood over concerns regarding reproductive autonomy, but the bill moved forward after Planned Parenthood shifted to a neutral position in 2026.

Authored by Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin and sponsored by Unchained At Last and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, the bill was the result of a long-term campaign led by Global Hope 365. During the signing ceremony, Newsom was joined by survivor and advocate Courtney Stodden. California now joins 17 other states and Washington D.C. in implementing a total ban, though advocates note that child marriage remains legal in 32 U.S. states.