Section 2.12 Minimum Age

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

2. (§2.12) Minimum Age

The minimum age that a person may enter a marriage contract without consent of a custodial parent or guardian is 18 years. Section 451.090.2, RSMo 2000. This consent must be given in writing and must be signed and sworn to before an officer authorized to administer oaths. Id.

Section 451.090.1 also provides that no recorder may issue a marriage license to any person under the age of 15 years unless a circuit or associate circuit judge in the county in which the license is applied for orders the license to issue. The court order can only be granted for good cause on a showing that, because the conditions are so unusual, the marriage is advisable.

The statute raises...