California has banned child marriage, with a new law making 18 the minimum legal age for marriage in the US state from January 1, 2027.
According to foreign media reports, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law, making California the 18th US state to require both parties to be at least 18 years old to legally marry.
Under the previous law, minors of any age in California could obtain permission from a court to marry with the consent of their parents. The new legislation removes that provision and establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage.
The remaining 32 US states still allow minors to marry under certain circumstances, including with parental or judicial consent, according to reports.
Unchained At Last, an organisation campaigning against child marriage, estimates that around 9,000 children are married in California every year.
The new law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, and is aimed at preventing minors from entering into legally recognised marriages.