Oklahoma has officially banned marriage for anyone under the age of 18, following a contentious debate in the state House that saw 36 Republican lawmakers vote against the measure.
Senate Bill 504 passed the Oklahoma Senate unanimously before clearing the House in a 51-36 vote.
The bill became law on 13 May without the signature of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt. Stitt’s office has not explained why the Governor did not sign the legislation.
Supporters argued the law would help prevent the exploitation and abuse of minors, particularly young girls, by closing loopholes that previously allowed child marriage in the state.
Democratic State Rep. Andy Fugate, who introduced the bill, described child marriage as a loophole that enabled “adults to have sex with minors”.
Fellow Democratic State Rep. Cyndi Munson said: “Marriage should wait until adulthood, and we don’t want to exploit children – especially young girls.”
Republican lawmakers cite religion and parental rights
Several Republican lawmakers opposed the bill using religious or parental rights arguments.
State Rep. Jim Olsen referenced the biblical marriage of Mary and Joseph during debate.
“How confident are you that it is always wrong, 100% of the time, for 17-year-olds to get married? How old was Mary when she married Joseph?”
According to LGBTQ Nation, Rep. Derrick Hildebrant quoted Hebrews 13:4 while questioning the restriction.
“Hebrews 13:4 – ‘Let marriage be held in honour among all.’ Does ‘among all’ now only mean those who are 18 and older?”
Rep. Justin Humphrey argued the bill represented government overreach.
“This bill has nothing to do with pedophilia. Do you know what socialism looks like? It’s when the government comes in and tells you what you’re going to do.”
Advocates welcome child marriage ban
According to advocacy group Unchained At Last, more than 3,400 minors were married in Oklahoma between 2000 and 2021.
The organisation says most of those marriages involved girls marrying adult men.
Oklahoma now joins 17 US states that have fully banned marriage under the age of 18.
Marriage involving a minor remains legal under certain circumstances in 33 states.
For advocates, the new law marks a significant child protection victory in a state where campaigners had long warned that marriage loopholes could leave minors vulnerable to coercion, exploitation and abuse.
