Can you drink legally in the U.S. if you are underage, but are married to someone 21 or over?

Question

My friend says that if for instance I was 20, but my husband was 21 and we went out to a bar to drink, that I could show the bar our marriage license and I would be allowed to drink legally? We are in Ohio in case that matters.

I thought you had to be 21 or over no matter what in the United States.

She says she has a friend who does this all the time.

I think I just found an answer to my question: Can children be in a bar with their parents?
Yes. Persons under age 21 may be on licensed premises, and can be sold and allowed to drink alcohol beverages, if they are with their parents, legal guardians, or spouses, as long as those persons are of legal age; but this is at the discretion of the licensee.
http://www.dor.state.wi.us/faqs/ise/atundrg.html

A parent or spouse of an underage person may provide alcohol to them but must be present at the time. http://www.studentlegalrights.org/alcohollaw.shtml

Answer 1

In the state of Texas this is true. If your spouse is 21 and you are underage you are legally allowed to consume alcohol. I ran into this at the local fairgrounds when I was just 20 years old. An officer asked me to throw out a beer when I tried to plead my case. He said, "Fine show me your marriage license." Without my license I had to toss the beer.

Answer 2

Firstly, let me say that alcohol consumption is subject to state's jurisdiction. Ie, each state designates the laws of consumption of alcohol in their state. The drinking age in West Virginia, for instance, is 18. However, there is also a federal consumption law that would govern things like importing alcohol from other countries (which in itself is subject to other laws.)

If your state has a consumption clause like that in Wisconsin, then it is at the disgretion of the licensee.

The other designation is the difference between consumption and possesion. So, a parent, gardian, or spouse may be able to give you a drink, but it still may be illegal to consume.

That being said, nobody is going to catch you drinking it the privacy of your own home if your spouse buys it for you, unless you become roudy.

Answer 3

One of the stores in my city refused to sell alcohol to my 21 year old cousin because she was with her 20 year old husband. I'm not saying that's legal, just that being married certainly doesn't give you license to drink before you're 21.

Answer 4

Nope, ya can't. There's just no getting around that big "21". Not even marriage will help ya there. You're under 21, your gonna get busted. Relax and take your time, trust me after your turn 21, you'll have plenty of times to puke your guts out in the toilet, like so many of us had. Oh, you know what I like best, when you don't have anything left to puke, and all your throwing-up is green slime/acid. Now that's gut wretching for ya. Let me wish you a good puke.

Answer 5

No,your not 21 so your still underage.You are right about one thing,you do have to be 21 and over.By law in any state that i know of your are not allowed to drink.Unless the bar owner does not care about losing there liquor license.

Answer 6

It is illegal in all public places in America for anyone under 21 to be consuming alcohol. Marriage to an older person, having your father with you, etc. does not matter to the law.

Answer 7

could you like your hubby going to detention center for determining to purchase you a drink in the bar? That information superhighway internet site the poster indexed approximately Texas statures i does not believe because it states to apply the concepts at your man or woman possibility. you're extra useful off waiting till you're 21 and save any eating to on your place.

Answer 8

can you drink alcoholic beverages if you re underage and you spouse is over 21 years of age in CALIFORNIA?

Answer 9

I don't believe it!!! A parent or spouse of someone underage can be arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor. It is illegal!

Answer 10

no-the person consuming th alcohol must be 21 years of age.