CaliforniaCalifornia would bar minors from marriage licenses and domestic partnerships
People under 18 would no longer receive California marriage licenses or register domestic partnerships, even with a judge’s permission, once the signed law takes effect.
What it does
People under 18 could no longer get California marriage licenses, even with court and parent or guardian approval. A court could not declare a marriage made in California under the former approval rules before January 1, 2027, invalid solely because the spouse seeking that ruling was under 18 at the wedding.
People under 18 would no longer be able to register a domestic partnership in California. A judge’s permission would no longer let them bypass the age rule.
State officials would no longer have to update the yearly report on marriages involving minors. Local officials would no longer have to send information for it.
Argument forThe age rule could give minors more time before they can get a marriage license or register a domestic partnership.
Argument againstMinors who could have received court permission may have to wait until 18 to formalize their relationships.
More detail
California would stop issuing marriage licenses to people under 18. This applies to people under 18 seeking California marriage licenses. Court and parent or guardian approval would no longer allow a person under 18 to get a license. The exception for earlier marriages applies to marriages made in California under former Sections 302 or 303 before January 1, 2027.
California would require both people to be at least 18 to register a domestic partnership. This covers couples registering a domestic partnership in California. A court order would no longer let a minor bypass the age requirement. Both people must be at least 18 when they file to register.
State and local registrars would no longer be required to carry out the report duties. The report covers marriage certificates for people who were under 18 when they married.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 850, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6559.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1267 Pellerin Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 25From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (August 25).Minor
- Vote recorded With recommendation: That Senate amendments be concurred in. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 24Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 6370.)
- Aug 20Re-referred to Com. on JUD. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.Minor
- Aug 19In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1267 Pellerin et al. By Menjivar. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 19Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 5551.).Passed Senate
- Aug 11Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 10Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 4Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 3From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jul 2Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 1From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 30).Major
- Jun 30
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 22From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.Major
- Jun 15Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Jun 15Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10 (c).Minor
- Jun 15Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 11Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Jun 11Ordered to second reading.Minor
- Jun 11From inactive file.
- 2025
- Sep 8Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Menjivar.
- Aug 29Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).Minor
- Jul 14In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 3From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jul 2
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 11Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Jun 3In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1267 Pellerin Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 2Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 8. Page 1885.)Passed Assembly
- May 27Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 23From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 1.) (May 23).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 28Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 24Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 23From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 1.) (April 22).Major
- Apr 22
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 27Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Mar 26From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 13Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Feb 24Read first time.Minor
- Feb 22From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
- Feb 21Introduced. To print.Introduced
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