Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1267 into law on Wednesday, establishing 18 as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships in California with no exceptions. The measure, authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, takes effect January 1, 2027, and voids any such unions performed on or after that date.

The new law makes California the 18th state to enact a complete ban on child marriage. Until the signing, the state had no statutory minimum age, allowing minors of any age to wed with parental consent and judicial approval. Advocates noted that this framework created a loophole around the state's age of consent for sexual activity, which is 18, effectively permitting relationships that would otherwise constitute statutory rape.

Supporters highlighted the protection the ban provides for minors, particularly girls, who previously faced limited options to escape abusive arrangements. Data from advocacy groups indicated thousands of such marriages occurred annually in California in prior years, with nearly all involving underage girls and adult men. The bill received near-unanimous legislative support after years of failed attempts.

Newsom signed the measure alongside child marriage survivor Courtney Stodden, who married at age 16. He described the action as a long overdue step to safeguard young Californians. The legislation was sponsored by Unchained at Last and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

Previous efforts to ban child marriage encountered opposition from groups including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, which raised concerns over personal choice and access to legal protections. Those organizations largely stepped back from active resistance this year. The final bill passed without a single opposing vote in the Legislature.

California joins other states that have closed similar loopholes in recent years. The change eliminates parental and court mechanisms that had permitted the practice despite its risks to minors.