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Regulations

Child marriage laws

The repository of child marriage laws of the Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean gathers more than 30 normative bodies and legal rulings, classified by country, from 31 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, in addition to the legislation of Spain and Portugal on this issue.

These laws are classified into: those of countries that absolutely prohibit marriage before the age of 18; those that allow marriage from the age of 16 through judicial authorization or legal representatives; and finally, those that allow it before the age of 16 for qualified reasons.

Child marriage is currently prohibited in 9 countries in Latin America and 2 in the Caribbean. The last country to legislate this prohibition was the Dominican Republic in January 2021.

Displaying 21 - 30 of 32
  • 2004
    Chile

    Ley 19.947, establece nueva Ley de Matrimonio Civil

    El artículo 5 nº 3 de esta ley establece que no podrán contraer matrimonio los menores de 16 años.

  • 2002
    Saint Kitts and Nevis

    Chapter 12.09, Marriage Act

    Section 28(3) states that a marriage solemnised between persons either of whom is under the age of sixteen shall be void: provided however that the Attorney-General or his or her representative may, in his discretion, if, for serious reasons, he or she considers it to be in the interest of the intending spouses so to do, grant a licence to marry to any person under the age of sixteen but over the age of fifteen. Finally, section 28(1) states that the age of consent for marriage is 18 years old.

  • 2001
    Anguilla

    Chapter M40 Marriage Act

    Section 25 (3) states that a marriage solemnized between persons, either of whom is under the age of 16 years shall be void, but the Registrar General may, in his discretion, if, for serious reasons, he considers it to be in the interest of the intending spouses so to do, grant a license to marry any person under the age of 16 years but over the age of 15 years.

  • 1984
    Peru

    Decreto Legislativo 295 (Actualizado al 2020)

    Según el artículo 241 de esta norma, el juez puede dispensar el impedimento de la impubertad de los contrayentes,  por motivos justificados. Siempre que estos tengan, como mínimo, dieciséis años cumplidos y manifiesten expresamente su voluntad de casarse. 

  • 1979
    Barbados

    Chapter 218 A, Marriage Act

    Section 4 (1) states that a marriage solemnised between persons either of whom is under the age of 16 years is void.

  • 1975
    Cuba

    Ley 1289, Código de Familia

    El artículo 3 establece no están autorizados para formalizar el matrimonio los menores de 18 años de edad, pero excepcionalmente podrá otorgarse a los menores de 18 años la autorización para formalizar el matrimonio siempre que la mujer  tenga, por lo menos, 14 años cumplidos y el hombre de 16 años, también cumplidos.

  • 1966
    Portugal

    Código Civil

    El artículo 1601 letra a) establece que es un impedimento dirimente absoluto para contraer matrimonio, ser menor de 16 años. El artículo 1612 nº 1 establece que la autorización para el matrimonio de un menor de dieciocho años y mayor de dieciséis será otorgada por los padres en ejercicio de la patria potestad, o por el tutor.

  • 1910
    Dominica

    Marriage Act, Chapter 35:01

    Section 29(2) states that any marriage solemnised or celebrated between persons either of whom is under the age of sixteen years shall be null and void. Section 30 indicates in which cases the marriage shall take place with consent of a parent or a guardian. 

  • 1908
    Bahamas

    The Marriage Act

    Section 50 (1) states that a marriage solemnized between persons either of whom is under the age of fifteen years shall, subject to the provisions of this section, be void. Section 20 (1) states who may marry without the consent of others, and in which cases the consent of a parent or guardian is required. 

  • 1901
    Guyana

    Chapter 45:01, Marriage Act

    Section 31(1) states that where either of the parties, not being a widower or widow, or a divorced person, is under the age of eighteen years, no marriage shall take place between them until the consent of the appropiate person or persons has been obtained. However, section 32(2) states that if a female under the age of sixteen years becomes pregnant or is delivered of a child, she may apply by petition to a Judge of the High Court, for permission to be married.  

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