End Child Marriage in the US

Working to Protect Your Rights

Approximately 200,000 minors were victims of child marriage from the year 2000 - 2015. Broken down, that's about six children per thousand. The majority of the victims are young girls being forced to marry much older men. In states like Mississippi, California, and West Virginia, there is no age limit to which a person can get married.

Home: Welcome

Which States Allow This?

Each state varies

Who Allows It

Each state has special specifications for child marriage. Some states allow children as young as 12 or 15 to get married if the child is pregnant, or if there is parental consent. In some states, such as California and Massachusetts, there is no age floor. A child of any age could be married with written consent of legal guardians or with a court order.

Who Doesn't Allow It

New Jersey and Delaware are the only states that do not allow child marriage under any circumstances. Pennsylvania also just recently passed legislation to end child marriage in their state, which is a huge step up considering the loose laws that previously made it very easy for children to be forced into marriage.

Home: Practices

Unchained at Last

Fraidy Reiss and Her Movement

Fraidy Reiss is the founder and executive director of the advocacy group Unchained at Last. Her mission is to end child marriage across the United States. A victim of child marriage herself, her story is powerful and should be heard by everyone.

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Unchained at Last

This organization is the reason New Jersey and Delaware no longer tolerate child marriage. In fact, they're the only organization dedicated to ending this problem within the United States.

https://www.unchainedatlast.org/