Laws

Alabama vs California: Minimum Marriage Age

Alabama has a higher minimum marriage age than California.

Alabama flag
Alabama
AL · South
Winner
16
Minimum marriage age with statutory exceptions. California has no statutory minimum age.
California flag
California
CA · West
No statutory minimum
Minimum marriage age with statutory exceptions. California has no statutory minimum age.

Visual comparison

Alabama16
CaliforniaNo statutory minimum

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for minimum marriage age.

Alabama #28 · 16
California #50 · No statutory minimum
Lowest Highest

Top 10 States — Minimum Marriage Age

#1 Connecticut flag Connecticut
18 (banned)
#2 Delaware flag Delaware
18 (banned)
#3 Florida flag Florida
18 (banned)
#4 Hawaii flag Hawaii
18 (banned)
#5 Illinois flag Illinois
18 (banned)
#6 Maine flag Maine
18 (banned)
#7 Maryland flag Maryland
18 (banned)
#8 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
18 (banned)
#9 Michigan flag Michigan
18 (banned)
#10 Minnesota flag Minnesota
18 (banned)
Selected states
#28 Alabama flag Alabama
16
#50 California flag California
No statutory minimum

Alabama ranks 28th and California ranks 50th nationally for minimum marriage age.

What this means

Alabama vs California: Minimum Marriage Age in context

Alabama's minimum marriage age is 16, compared with No statutory minimum in California. Minimum marriage age with statutory exceptions. California has no statutory minimum age.

Alabama
16
California
No statutory minimum

People also ask

Alabama vs California Minimum Marriage Age — common questions

QWhat is Alabama's minimum marriage age?

Alabama's minimum marriage age is 16.

QWhat is California's minimum marriage age?

California's minimum marriage age is No statutory minimum.

QWhich state has a higher minimum marriage age — Alabama or California?

Alabama has a higher minimum marriage age than California.

More comparisons: Alabama vs California

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Full comparison

Data source and freshness

Data period
State statutes reviewed January 2026
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Statewide minimum-age summary; exceptions and court procedures can change.