Marriage Is No Longer a “Get out of Jail Free” Card for Those Who Target Minors in Oregon
New Oregon Law Makes Marriage with Minors a Crime
Washington State ended marriage to minors in 2024 and now, Oregon is joining the ban, too.
Previously, a resident in Oregon could marry someone younger than 18. The law has officially is changed after the passage of Oregon Senate Bill 548, effective January 1, 2026.
The Old Law Was a Loophole for Adult Men
According to language in the senate bill, some 2,900 adult men married minors to avoid getting a statutory rape charge. The new 2026 law erases that loophole.
Advocates for the bill include those who say it will encourage protecting minors from potential adult predators over the age of 18.
Read More: Can You Pass This Pacific Northwest Law Quiz?
What This New Law Means for Teenagers Who Want to Get Married
The new Oregon law will have a significant effect for teenagers under the age of 18 who want to get married. The law passed with a majority bipartisan support of 48 Ayes (Representatives Jami Cate and Darin Hartbick are the only two Nay votes) and was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek.
Previously, a minor younger than age 18 could get parental consent to marry someone over 18. Now, minors will not be allowed to get married, regardless of whether their parents give permission.
Persons wishing to get married in Oregon will still need to apply for a marriage permit at a county clerk.
"A marriage license must contain the following statement: “Neither you nor your spouse is the property of the other. The laws of the State of Oregon affirm your right to enter into marriage and at the same time to live within the marriage free from violence and abuse.” - Senate Bill 548
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