California Governor Gavin Newsom signed bill AB 1267, which completely bans marriages and domestic partnerships for persons under 18 years of age.
The law will take effect on January 1, 2027 and provides for no exceptions, even with parental consent or a court decision.
Previously, California was among just three states where there was no minimum age for marriage. Minors could obtain permission with parental consent and a judge's approval.
The signing took place on September 30, 2026 in the presence of activist Courtney Stodden, who herself at 16 years of age married the 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison.
"This is a long-overdue measure to protect young Californians and minors. Today California's children are safer than ever before," Newsom said.
Stodden noted that the governor made it clear: survivors should not have had to carry this burden alone. She thanked the organization Unchained at Last and promised to continue the fight until a ban is in place in all 50 states.
The bill, authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, was the result of a nearly decade-long campaign. Similar initiatives had previously been blocked, including because of the position of the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.
According to Unchained at Last, about 9 thousand such marriages were entered into in California each year. Many of them led to situations in which minors, especially girls, found themselves in dependent and abusive relationships with no possibility of divorce.
California became the 18th state to completely ban child marriage. Will this remain an exception, or will it push the remaining 32 states toward change?
The law also strengthens protection against forced marriages by introducing mechanisms for obtaining protective orders.
