I am 17 and a mother to a one week old child. Can i marry without the consent of my parents?
Full Question:
I gave birth to my child a week back. I want to get married to my boyfriend as soon as possible. We are 17 years old and are ready for this step. Is it necessary for us to get the consent of our parents?
12/27/2016 |
Category: Minors ยป Age of Major... |
State: South Carolina |
#28857
Answer:
S.C. Code Ann. § 20-1-300 reads:
“Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 20-1-250 to 20-1-290, a marriage license may be issued to an unmarried female and male under the age of eighteen years who could otherwise enter into a marital contract, if such female be pregnant or has borne a child, under the following conditions:
(a) the fact of pregnancy or birth is established by the report or certificate of at least one duly licensed physician;
(b) she and the putative father agree to marry;
(c) written consent to the marriage is given by one of the parents of the female, or by a person standing in loco parentis, such as her guardian or the person with whom she resides, or, in the event of no such qualified person, with the consent of the superintendent of the department of social services of the county in which either party resides;
(d) without regard to the age of the female and male; and
(e) without any requirement for any further consent to the marriage of the male.”
(a) the fact of pregnancy or birth is established by the report or certificate of at least one duly licensed physician;
(b) she and the putative father agree to marry;
(c) written consent to the marriage is given by one of the parents of the female, or by a person standing in loco parentis, such as her guardian or the person with whom she resides, or, in the event of no such qualified person, with the consent of the superintendent of the department of social services of the county in which either party resides;
(d) without regard to the age of the female and male; and
(e) without any requirement for any further consent to the marriage of the male.”
In the case at hand, the couple may opt for a marriage certificate per the above-quoted section. In the event that the parents do not give their consent to the marriage per subsection (c), they may get the consent of the superintendent of the department of social services of the county in which either of them resides.