Two common questions arise at the beginning and end of the marriage legal process — what is the age of marriage in California, and after I file for divorce then what happens? This page addresses both.
Age of Marriage in California
The age of marriage in California is 18 — the minimum age to marry without court approval. California eliminated the ability of minors under 18 to marry with parental consent in 2023. As of that legislation, anyone under 18 cannot legally marry in California under any circumstances, regardless of parental consent or judicial approval. The age for marriage in California is now a firm 18 minimum with no exceptions.
This represents a significant change from prior California law, which allowed minors to marry with both parental consent and court approval. The 2023 law eliminated that pathway entirely. A marriage entered by a minor in California after the effective date of that law is void.
After I File for Divorce — Then What?
After I file for divorce then what is a question virtually every petitioner has. The procedural sequence after filing a divorce petition in California is: (1) The clerk assigns a case number and returns file-stamped copies. (2) You serve the respondent spouse with the Summons, Petition, and blank Response forms. Personal service is required — you cannot serve the papers yourself. (3) The respondent has 30 days to file a Response (FL-120). (4) Both parties complete and exchange preliminary financial disclosures — the Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142) and Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) — within 60 days of filing. (5) The court may schedule a Case Management Conference. (6) The parties negotiate a settlement or proceed to trial. (7) The earliest the divorce can be finalized is six months and one day from the date the respondent was served.
If the respondent does not file a Response within 30 days, you may proceed by default. If there are minor children or contested issues, the process is longer. Furubotten Law, APC guides clients through the entire divorce process in Orange County and Riverside County. Call (714) 795-3862 for a complimentary case evaluation.