All Roll Calls
Yes: 131 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 1032026 General SessionHouse
Underage Marriage Amendments
Sponsored By: Melissa G. Ballard (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Marriage/DivorceFraudCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeStatute of Limitations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Tighter approval rules for minor marriages
Starting May 6, 2026, a minor cannot get a marriage license without a parent or guardian’s signed consent given in person. The minor and the consenting adult must appear before the clerk and show documents proving identity, relationship, and birth date. A judge must approve in writing, find the marriage is voluntary and in the minor’s best interest, and require premarital counseling if reasonably available. The judge may add conditions, like staying in school. The judge cannot approve if the age gap is over four years, and must wait at least 72 hours after the petition is filed.
Utah rejects most out-of-state minor marriages
Starting May 6, 2026, Utah treats most out-of-state marriages with a minor as invalid. Utah recognizes them only if the minor was 16 or 17, the age gap is four years or less, a parent or guardian consented, the minor agreed freely, and a court approved in writing before the wedding. It is a third-degree felony to take a Utah minor out of state to enter an invalid marriage and then bring the minor back. It is also a third-degree felony for a Utah resident age 18 or older to travel out of state to marry a minor in a marriage invalid in Utah and then return the minor.
More time to charge underage marriage crimes
Starting May 6, 2026, prosecutors can charge three underage-marriage crimes up to 15 years after the minor’s 18th birthday. If a suspect’s identity was unknown but DNA was collected, charges may start at any time; once DNA confirms the person, prosecutors have four years to file. For forcible sexual abuse and incest, if the victim reports within four years, prosecutors have eight years from the crime date to charge. The law also says a case starts when an indictment is filed, a complaint or information is filed, or a citation is issued.
New felonies tied to underage marriage
Starting May 6, 2026, several new crimes apply to underage marriage. It is a third-degree felony for an adult to marry someone under 18 when the law’s minor-marriage rules are not met. A parent or guardian who knowingly allows such a marriage also commits a third-degree felony. A person who knowingly performs an unauthorized minor’s wedding can be charged. It is also a third-degree felony to impersonate a parent or guardian or forge their consent to get a minor a marriage license.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Melissa G. Ballard
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Todd Weiler
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 29 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/10/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/3/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/25/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/24/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/3/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/3/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #1
1/26/2026
Introduced
12/29/2025