JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) - Missouri is closing a loophole that allowed minors to get married.

Minors could get married as young as 16 if a parent signs off on it, but that’s all changing now. The minimum age to get married in Missouri was raised from 15 to 16 years old in 2018. Teens wishing to get married have to get permission from at least one parent and their spouse has to be younger than 21.

The law, going into effect August 28, will close that loophole, not allowing anyone to get married in Missouri until they’re 18 years old.

Missouri is joining 15 other states in eliminating underage marriage.

Former state senator Holly Thompson Rehder championed this bill, and other lawmakers picked it up this year.

Rehder experienced child marriage firsthand: at only 15, she married to esc

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