Can a 16YO marry a 34 YO in PA?

[failingmemory]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania

Apparently the county has issued a marriage license....will a judge actually marry a 16 year old to a 34 year old? This seems...so not right.

 

[stealth2]

And who are you in this situation?

 

[failingmemory]

I'm the 16YO's aunt.

 

[mistoffolees]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania

Apparently the county has issued a marriage license....will a judge actually marry a 16 year old to a 34 year old? This seems...so not right.

In PA, someone can get married at 16 if they have the parent's consent:
Pennsylvania Marriage Age Requirements Laws - PA Marriage Age Requirements Laws - State Laws, Codes

So the parents must have agreed to it for some reason.

 

[failingmemory]

Not possible. The minor is not emancipated. her father lives out of state and her mother is hospitalized long-term in another county.

 

[mistoffolees]

Not possible. The minor is not emancipated. her father lives out of state and her mother is hospitalized long-term in another county.

How do you know it's not possible?

It is most certainly possible for a father in a different state to give permission for a child to marry. And it's absolutely possible for a mother who is hospitalized in a different county to give permission for the marriage.

Or, there may be a court-appointed guardian who could give permission.

The court has procedures to follow before they will grant a marriage license. She would have been required to present her ID showing age -and since she's under 18, the court would have needed permission of the parents.

If you have reason to believe that they made a mistake, you're free to call the court clerk, but I doubt if they'll even talk to you because it doesn't concern you. Or, you could probably call CPS if you think that a child is marrying without the parent's permission.

I suspect that you're in for a rude awakening.

 

[failingmemory]

After reading the law more thoroughly, parental consent is only needed if the applicant is UNDER 16 years of age. So it's perfectly legal without any trouble for a 16 year old to marry a 34 year old. Sick as that may be.

Not possible regarding the parents because the father has never even seen the girl, doesn't know anything about her, could not care less. The mother is opposed to the relationship and unable to travel. But those points are moot since it is not necessary to get parental permission at age 16 for a marriage in Pennsylvania.

 

[cbg]

You're still reading it wrong.

If under 16, permission of the parent AND the court is needed. If over 16 and under 18, permission of the parent is still required but not with the additional approval of the court.

So who is the 16 year old's legal guardian?

http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/pennsylvania/index.shtml

Under 18: If under 18 years of age applicants may marry with consent of a parent or guardian. Applicants must present Birth Certificate plus an additional $5.00

• If Under 16 years of age with the approval of a Judge of the Orphans Court, as well as parent or guardian.

Legal age for marriage in the State of Pennsylvania for both bride and groom is 18.

(emphasis mine)

 

[mistoffolees]

After reading the law more thoroughly, parental consent is only needed if the applicant is UNDER 16 years of age. So it's perfectly legal without any trouble for a 16 year old to marry a 34 year old. Sick as that may be.

Not possible regarding the parents because the father has never even seen the girl, doesn't know anything about her, could not care less. The mother is opposed to the relationship and unable to travel. But those points are moot since it is not necessary to get parental permission at age 16 for a marriage in Pennsylvania.

Sorry, but you're wrong. As cbg pointed out - parental consent is needed for anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 to marry in PA.

So SOMEONE gave their consent. I already told you what possible actions there might be, but it is NOT LEGALLY YOUR ISSUE. If you really feel the need to get involved for non-legal reasons, then ask your niece what's going on. Or ask Mom. Or find a way to contact Dad and find out what's going on.

Maybe the niece forced the documents, but the documents must have been signed.

 

[Zigner]

Sorry, but you're wrong. As cbg pointed out - parental consent is needed for anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 to marry in PA.

So SOMEONE gave their consent. I already told you what possible actions there might be, but it is NOT LEGALLY YOUR ISSUE. If you really feel the need to get involved for non-legal reasons, then ask your niece what's going on. Or ask Mom. Or find a way to contact Dad and find out what's going on.

Maybe the niece forced the documents, but the documents must have been signed.

Or, contact CPS and let them investigate it. It IS a valid option.

 

[failingmemory]

Or, contact CPS and let them investigate it. It IS a valid option.

That's the route I'm going. I have talked to the mom. We believe she forged the documents.

I've talked to her. Ever try to talk a 16 year old out of something especially when they feel their life is out of control?

 

[Zigner]

That's the route I'm going. I have talked to the mom. We believe she forged the documents.

I've talked to her. Ever try to talk a 16 year old out of something especially when they feel their life is out of control?

Does the child live with mom?

If not, who does the child live with?

 

[mistoffolees]

Does the child live with mom?

If not, who does the child live with?

The child doesn't live with Mom - apparently Mom is confined to a hospital and has been for some time. She could, of course, be living in Mom's house with a stepfather.

I suspect that there's a lot going on that OP doesn't know about. Perhaps someone has guardianship. Or perhaps the parents actually DID give permission. Or perhaps the court gave permission.

Seems to me that OP is going to a lot of effort to stir up trouble - without even making a single phone call to ask her niece what's going on.

 

[failingmemory]

The child doesn't live with Mom - apparently Mom is confined to a hospital and has been for some time. She could, of course, be living in Mom's house with a stepfather.

I suspect that there's a lot going on that OP doesn't know about. Perhaps someone has guardianship. Or perhaps the parents actually DID give permission. Or perhaps the court gave permission.

Seems to me that OP is going to a lot of effort to stir up trouble - without even making a single phone call to ask her niece what's going on.

Wow. I'm amazed by the attitude I'm getting here. I'm asking on behalf of my sister, the child's mother. The child was in the care of children's services. I happen to live in another country. Not COUNTY. COUNTRY.

Stirring up trouble. Seriously? So you apparently don't think there's anything wrong with a 16 year old marrying a 34 year old?

 

[stealth2]

There's plenty wrong with it. But there is nothing that YOU can do about it. Mom could contact the kid's case worker. But you have no standing.