Can me (16) and my girlfriend (16) get married?

Question

She is pregnant and we live in ohio (we have to have parental consent no matter what). Can we go to West Virginia and get married (dont need parental consent since shes pregnant) or do we have to live there before they will let us get married?

We were going to get maried before she was pregnant. Part of the reason we want to get married is to get away from her mom. She is a drunk and wont even let her see me. We both have our licence though so we still do. But we do want to get married. and no offence but im not asking for advice just wonderin if we can go to another state to do it without residing there.

thanks all.

My mom dosent have a problem with us gettin married. we plan on coming back here and living with my mom and my sisters till i turn 18 and can get a better job. and for those that asked we are keeping it.

Answer 1

Yes you can. I do agree that 16 is too young to be married, but perhaps you shall be the exception to the rule. It is a good thing that your mother is behind your decision.

You will have to check with the neighboring state's laws.

You will need a license to marry, and depending on the state, either her mother's permission, or possibly a gynecologist's statement that she is pregnant.

Generally, you do not have to be a resident of a state to get married there, but usually the license must be issued there.

Call the courthouse at the county across the state line closest to you.

Good luck, you are really going to need it. Again, you are fortunate that your mother is supportive, and we can only hope her mother will come around. You both need to finish your schooling.

Answer 2

well I'm guessing you dont have your parents consent, which means if you go and get married somewhere else,and since you are still under ag an all its considered running away, which pretty much prohibits you from getting married over there too, what you can do (and I'm not sure of the laws over there) is file for emancipation, declaring you and your gf an adult (if she files too) and you wont need consent anymore, but not to be all intervening or nothing but you shouldn't get married cuz shes pregnant, believe me how much ever you may love her, 76% of all marriages under the age of 25 end up in divorce, besides marriage is a sacred thing, now i dont know your religion, but it shouldn't matter, marriage is a big step and youre just my age and i cant even begin to comprehend the ordeals of marriage, but i know its not something you rush into, i mean do you really want to be divorced when you are 18, I'm not saying you will and it wont work out, who know it might, but you re risking so much, so you should think before you jump, you guys can be a family still but dont marry for all the wrong reasons,marriage isnt going away itll be there still in a couple of years when you are more ready, think about it, you are going to be a Dad that is already one HUGE commitment, do you really want to make another?

Answer 3

I'm not sure how it works with minors - but ideally, no, you wouldn't have to live there in order to get married. You would just have to get a marriage license in that state, but you should check to see if there are any stipulations since you are minors. You could do so by calling a municipal court in W. Virginia and asking if it matters that you are under age.
If you are planning on getting married no matter what, why not just talk to your parents about it and get their consent?

Answer 4

right technically sixteen is the criminal age of consent in GA so the gf isn't commiting a criminal offense (regardless of the actual undeniable fact that why if she's 19 would desire to she desire a sixteen 3 hundred and sixty 5 days old is previous me). Now as for the marriage: Ga.: once you're sixteen or 17 years old, you will likely be waiting to stay with if observed via employing the two mothers and dads who've given written consent. If the bride is pregnant, no parental consent is needed in case you place up a actuality from an authorized well-being care provider certifying that the bride is pregnant.

Answer 5

You have a major problem here. wvc 48-2-301 provides:

"§48-2-301. Age of consent for marriage; exception.
(a) The age of consent for marriage for both the male and the female is eighteen years of age. A person under the age of eighteen lacks the capacity to contract a marriage without the consent required by this section.
(b) The clerk of the county commission may issue a marriage license to an applicant who is under the age of eighteen but sixteen years of age or older if the clerk obtains a valid written consent from the applicant's parents or legal guardian.
(c) Upon order of a circuit judge, the clerk of the county commission may issue a marriage license to an applicant who is under the age of sixteen, if the clerk obtains a valid written consent from the applicant's parents or legal guardian. A circuit judge of the county in which the application for a marriage license is filed may order the clerk of the county commission to issue a license to an applicant under the age of sixteen if, in the court's discretion, the issuance of a license is in the best interest of the applicant and if consent is given by the parents or guardian.
(d) A consent to marry must be duly acknowledged before an officer authorized to acknowledge a deed. If the parents are living together at the time the application for a marriage license is made and the consent is given, the signatures of both parents or the applicant's legal guardian is required. If one parent is dead, the signature of the surviving parent or the applicant's legal guardian is required. If both parents are dead, the signature of the applicant's legal guardian is required. If the parents of the applicant are living separate and apart, the signature of the parent having custody of the applicant or the applicant's legal guardian is required.
(e) If a person under the age of consent is married in violation of this section, the marriage is not void for this reason, and such marriage is valid until it is actually annulled.
(f) A marriage by an underage person without a valid consent as required by this section, though voidable at the time it is entered into, may be ratified and become completely valid and binding when the underage party reaches the age of consent. Validation of a marriage by ratification is established by some unequivocal and voluntary act, statement, or course of conduct after reaching the age of consent. Ratification includes, but is not limited to, continued cohabitation as husband and wife after the age of consent is attained."

Clearly you can not get hitched in the State of W.Virginia without parental consent.

Answer 6

You can cross state lines to wed, and not be a resident of that state. You are both very young and the odds are against you both, but I wish you two the best of luck. I think it is great you are both giving it a go at making your situation right. Now that there is another being involved who has feelings too, remember you can not put yourselves first anymore.

As for the previous comment of-

How did she get pregnant? Can you care for the kid?

These aren't questions you ask AFTER the fact.

Answer 7

Okay, I have experience in this. I got married at 16 and divorced at 19. Make sure this is what you want, and that you not just doing it for the child. And trust me on this one, you don't want to sneak away to get married. Both of you will regret it. Because contrary to what you might believe right now, family is REALLY important. If/when you guys are falling on your worst times and no one wants to help you BECAUSE your married, your family will be there. Don't rush into getting married, there's time. Let your families accept it and wait for their help. Trust me, it's alot easier to have them on your side. It can't be you and her against the world forever. Unfortunately love doesn't work like that. Good luck!

Answer 8

If your girl friend is pregnant and wishes to marry you, then you should go for it, and get married after you reach your age of 18. Until then get engaged and try to be a good parent. Tell your parents abt ur plans n let her be ur family member from today onwards.

Answer 9

yeah if you have proof of parental consent from you parents and her parents you can get married in West Viriginia at age 16

You can also get married at age 15 in Kentucky since she is pregnant but since you and your girlfriend are both under 18 you have to have parental permission no matter what

Answer 10

Yes but you both are to young.I think what would be best is to get your families together,and see what would be best.Who knows the parents may sign for you guys.To be truthful,you both are way to young to get married,but include your parents in this .It would be for the best,and would show some maturity on your behalf.