In the United States, we have a minimum age for people to marry. It seems natural; when a child is a, well, child, we do not deem them old enough or mature enough to make that kind of decision. Because of this, each state has its own laws that govern the legal marriage age restrictions. Why do we not allow younger people to get married when they want? The idea is to allow children to grow up and develop their minds before getting married and making a pretty permanent decision. We don’t want to encourage people, of any age, to marry recklessly.
Minimum Age for Marriage in SC
In South Carolina, the minimum age of marriage of 18. But, there are a few exceptions. With the consent of parents, anyone that is 16 years old can marry another person that is 16 years or older. In order for this to happen, you need a sworn affidavit from a parent or guardian. Courts strictly enforce the parental portion of the rule, and there is no getting around it; close family or friend will not make the cut. South Carolina court takes marriage, and divorce, pretty seriously. Therefore, deciding to marry within this state should always take extra consideration.
Parental Consent
On rare occasions, minors under the age of 16 can get a marriage license in South Carolina. In order to a get a license, the girl must be pregnant with the boy’s baby. Then, the couple will need the written consent of the girl’s parents. In this situation, the boy would not need permission from his parents. However, if the girl doesn’t have a father, mother, or guardian, the local superintendent for DSS may provide consent.
Therefore, based on the following example, there’s technically no minimum age to marry in South Carolina if you have consent. The general rule of thumb is 18 for marriage. However, alternative circumstances and situations allow for marriage under 18 with consent from a parent or guardian.
