Bill Summary for S 35 (2021-2022)

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Summary date: 

May 12 2021

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2021
Senate Bill 35 (Public) Filed Monday, February 1, 2021
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAWFUL AGE OF MARRIAGE TO SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, AND TO PROVIDE A MAXIMUM FOUR-YEAR AGE DIFFERENCE FOR A SIXTEEN OR SEVENTEEN YEAR-OLD TO MARRY.
Intro. by Sawyer, Britt, Foushee.

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Bill summary

Senate amendment amends the 2nd edition as follows.

Further amends GS 51-2, raising the legal age to marry from 14 to 16. Additionally requires persons under 18 to file with the register of deeds a certified copy of an order issued by a district court authorizing the marriage as provided in GS 51-2.1, as amended, prior to being issued a marriage license. Makes conforming changes; changes the section's title. 

Makes conforming changes to GS 51-2.1 to eliminate provisions regarding marriage by persons under 16. Specifies that a district court judge can issue an order authorizing a marriage between a person 16 years of age and under 18 years of age, to a person no more than four years older (age difference limitation previously proposed) upon making required findings. 

Makes conforming changes to GS 51-3, regarding capacity to marry and void marriages. 

Changes the act's long title.