California bans child marriage from 1 January

California has become the 18th US state to outlaw child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing the legislation into law.

The new law, which takes effect on 1 January, requires anyone wishing to marry in the Golden State to be at least 18 years old. Newsom described the measure as “long overdue” to protect young Californians and minors.

The signing ceremony featured former child bride Courtney Stodden, whose parents allowed her to marry a 50‑year‑old actor when she was 16. Stodden, who has campaigned against child marriage, called the change a “victory” and said she will continue to fight for protection in all 50 states.

Other survivors welcomed the ban. Former child bride Brittany Bee told the BBC the law sends “a clear message of hope for all children” and highlighted her own experience of being wed at 17 to escape an abusive home, only to face further abuse.

Advocacy group Unchained At Last estimates around 9,000 girls are married each year in California, most to adult men. The state previously had no minimum age for marriage, allowing parental consent and judicial approval for under‑18 unions, with no divorce mechanism for minors.

Supporters such as Sara Tasneen, who was forced into marriage at 15, said the legislation finally recognises that children should not be able to marry.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Abhishek Navlakha / Pexels.