Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits child marriage in the state of West Virginia.

Highlights:

• Establishes the age of consent for marriage to be 18 (Article 2). 

• Requires that the person administering the marriage license see proof of age for those getting married, which includes (Article 2):

• A certified copy of a birth certificate;

• A voter’s registration certificate;

• An operator’s or chauffeur’s license; and

• Other good and sufficient evidence.

• Repeals the affidavit of both parents or the legal guardian of the applicant as a valid form of age validation (Article 2).  

• Repeals a clerk of the county commission’s ability to issue a marriage license to somebody who is 16 or 17 even if they have written consent from a parent or legal guardian (Article 2). 

• Repeals a clerk of the county commission’s ability to issue a marriage license to somebody who is younger than 16 even if they have written consent from a parent or legal guardian and/or orders from a circuit judge (Article 2). 

• Specifies that if an underage person is married in violation of this law, the marriage is not voidable for that reason and is valid until it is annulled (Article 2). 

Full Bill Text