From Nigeria as City Star series of child marriage in the U.S., Missouri has the most lenient law in the nation allowing 15-year-olds to wed. Only one parent’s signature is required.
More than 1,000 15-year-olds have been married in Missouri since 1999. Even children ages 14, 13 and 12 can marry in Missouri — it’s one of 25 states with no minimum age requirement. For those 14 and younger, a judge’s consent is required.