What is the legal age to get married in Arkansas?

Answer 1

Right now (Aug. 18, 2007) Arkansas law says that ANY person who is not pregnant may marry in Arkansas at ANY age with parental permission! The mistakenly-worded law reads as follows: "In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage." (The word "not" before "pregnant" was not supposed to be there.) This new law took effect July 31, 2007. Since the Arkansas legislature is adjourned through year end, the Governor may need to call a special session to correct the law.

(This information was found in--not quoted from--an 8/18/07 AP article titled "Error in Ark. law allows children to wed".) Oct. 11, 2007 update: The law remains the same. Arkansas governor Mke Beebe declined to call a special session, saying the Arkansas Code Revision Commission could correct the error. But on October 10, an Arkansas circuit judge ruled that the commission did not have the power to make changes to the law's meaning; only the legislature did.

If and when the law is corrected, this answer must be updated. The lowest legal age anywhere in North America to get married without parental permission is 18. Most states will allow 16 or 17 with parental consent.

Answer 2

As of last Friday, there was no minimum age, if you're not pregnant. This is a fluke and will probably be changed within a few weeks.

See related question,

"What is the legal age to marry in Arkansas with parental consent?"

Answer 3

{| |- | Like all states, the age to get married in Arkansas is 18. Under that age, parental consent is required. The local licensing office can provide the requirements for applying for a marriage license. |}

Answer 4

18. Under 18 (pregnant or not) requires parental consent.

Answer 5

In Arkansas you have to be at least 18 to get married without permission. With parental permission of both sets of parents can get married at 16 or 17. Under 16 is no longer allowed.