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Marriage in the News: Age & the Law in Marriage

In the United Kingdom, a new measure was passed that will tighten their immigration. Among these measures, the minimum age for a marriage visa will be 21. The idea to rise the marriage age from 18 is in part to help forestall forced marriages of foreign nationals. Reports indicate that this change from 18 to 21 will prevent about 3,000 women, primarily from India, from entering the country annually on marriage visas.

According to the home office:

This will ensure individuals have an opportunity to establish a degree of independent adult life, including taking advantage of higher education, and to have had the advantage of more opportunities to integrate.

It’s important to note that these measures will go into effect in 2008 and that the age of 21 is not just restricted to foreign national seeking a visa, but also the intended spouse needs to be 21 or older. There will also be English tests for spouses seeking entry that ensure they can function both socially and economically. Ideally, this would limit brides coming into the country that are 100% wholly dependent on their spouse for their livelihood and well-being.

North Carolina Legal Eligibility

Legal eligibility for marriage has been clarified under North Carolina law. These limitations include those dealing with blood relationships and age. According to the law in North Carolina, first cousins may marry though if they are more closely related than that they cannot. North Carolina law also states that you must be 18 to consent to marriage, although with a parent’s consent, you may marry between the ages of 16 and 18. If a female is pregnant, she may marry between the ages of 14 and 16 provided there is a District Court order for the marriage.

Common law marriage or common law marriage by consent is not recognized in North Carolina. However, a couple’s common law marriage that is recognized in another state may be recognized in North Carolina. The state does not, however, recognize the marriage between same-sex couples, no matter what the law of the state where they obtained the marriage.

Related articles:

Legality & Marriage: Post-Nuptial Agreements

Marriage in the News: Texas Law Creates a Feud

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About Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago. They have a beautiful daughter who just turned five years old. She is learning to read and preparing for kindergarten in the fall. An author of more than 300 articles and 500+ web copy pieces, Heather has also written three books as a ghostwriter. Empty Canoe Publishing accepted a novel of her own. A former horse breeder, Heather used to get most of her exercise outside. In late 2004, early 2005 Heather started studying fitness full time in order to get herself back into shape. Heather worked with a personal trainer for six months and works out regularly. She enjoys shaking up her routine and checking out new exercises. Her current favorites are the treadmill (she walks up to 90 minutes daily) and doing yoga for stretching. She also performs strength training two to three times a week. Her goals include performing in a marathon such as the Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness or Team in Training for Lymphoma research. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience through the fitness and marriage blogs.