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Two sessions suggest modifying the legal age of marriage! What should be done if one gets married before reaching legal age？
Time:2025-09-01 Views:1841
At the recent Two Sessions, some National People's Congress deputies suggested that in order to alleviate population pressure and respond to the birth policy, the current legal age for marriage should be revised to "no earlier than 20 years old for men and 18 years old for women", and the phrase "late marriage and late childbirth should be encouraged" should be deleted. In the consultation of Fanneng Law Firm, there are also many people inquiring about the specific legal age of marriage or what to do if they get married before the legal age. I believe many people are confused about the legal age of marriage. Now, Fanneng Law Firm's editor will take you to understand it.
1. What is the current legal age for marriage?
According to the provisions of the Marriage Law, our male marriage age is 22 years old, and the legal age for female marriage is 20 years old, that is, both men and women need to meet the age limit before they can register with the Civil Affairs Bureau of one party's registered residence. However, there are exceptions in ethnic autonomous regions where the legal age for marriage can be modified flexibly according to local customs.
2. How to deal with getting married before reaching legal age?
According to the Marriage Law, if one or both parties who intend to obtain a marriage certificate have not reached the legal age for marriage, the marriage registration authority cannot register them. Getting married before reaching the legal age, also known as early marriage, can be classified according to Chinese customs as: ① living together in the name of husband and wife without completing the marriage procedures, or holding banquets or wedding banquets; ② Changing one's actual age through improper means and applying for marriage procedures in advance.
In the first scenario, getting married before reaching legal age is considered a de facto marriage and is not protected by law. It is equivalent to illegal cohabitation, and both parties can directly and at any time terminate the marriage relationship. In the second scenario, marriages that have not reached the legal age for marriage are considered invalid marriages. At this point, the marital status does not have the legal effect of marriage and is revocable. However, when both parties recognize it at the appropriate age for marriage, it becomes valid.
Marriage is inherently a cautious and sacred thing. Getting married early or late has its own benefits, and the key is whether the person you spend your life with is good or not. Compared to the legal age for marriage in foreign countries, China's legal age for marriage is indeed a bit late. In the future, with the changing times, the legal age for marriage may really be modified. Let's wait and see for now! Sichuan Faneng Law Firm is dedicated to serving you.