California has officially prohibited child marriage, establishing 18 years as the minimum age for marriage in the state. This significant legislative change was enacted when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 on September 30, 2026. The new law is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The legislation removes previous provisions that permitted minors to marry with parental consent and judicial approval. This move marks a pivotal shift in California's approach to marriage laws, aligning with ongoing efforts to protect minors from early and potentially harmful unions. Governor Newsom's signing of the bill was accompanied by Courtney Stodden, a well-known advocate and survivor of child marriage, who was married at the age of 16 to actor Doug Hutchison, who was 50 at the time.

Stodden expressed her gratitude for the new law, calling it a victory for survivors of child marriage. "Governor Newsom’s action today made clear to me and to survivors of child marriage everywhere that we should never have been expected to carry this burden. California is a victory, but I’m not stopping here," she stated, emphasizing her commitment to advocating for the protection of children from marriage across the United States.

The passage of AB 1267 follows years of advocacy and campaigning by survivors and various organizations aiming to end child marriage in California. Many survivors have shared their personal experiences of the challenges they faced after being married as minors, highlighting the need for legal protections.

Prior to this legislation, California lacked a fixed minimum age for marriage, allowing minors to wed under specific circumstances. With the new law, California joins 17 other US states that have enacted similar bans on child marriage without exceptions, reflecting a growing trend across the nation to safeguard the rights of children.

In addition to setting the minimum marriage age at 18, the new law also establishes the same age requirement for domestic partnerships. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that young individuals are protected from the pressures and consequences of early marriage, reinforcing the state's commitment to child welfare.

As California prepares for the law to take effect in 2027, advocates hope that this legislative victory will inspire further reforms in other states, ultimately leading to a nationwide movement against child marriage.