Lowers the marriage age of consent to 17 when one party is an active-duty member of the military and other conditions are met, and removes obsolete language about marriage age waivers that are no longer issued in New Hampshire.
making 17 the age of consent for marriage if either party is active duty military and removing language regarding age waivers for marriage registration records, since age waivers are no longer issued in New Hampshire.
HB433 would allow 17-year-olds to marry if either party is active-duty military, and would remove obsolete age-waiver language from marriage registration records. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with submitters arguing the exception would reverse New Hampshire's recent ban on marriage under 18, legally trap minors in marriages they cannot easily escape, and confer no special maturity through military status; essentially none of the submissions expressed genuine support for the bill.
A large number of submitters express blanket opposition in brief, often emotional terms, describing the bill as disgraceful, unnecessary, or comparable to enabling exploitation of children, without elaborating a specific legal or policy rationale.
“This bill is a disgrace. No 17 year old should be getting married just because someone is in the military.”
— Jennifer Suitter, Merrimack · #380291 — read full submission →
“Our frontal lobes are not developed until the age of at least 25. 17 year old's absolutely do not have the capability of thorough decision making.”
— Lauren Treitman, Plaistow · #376985 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that because minors lack full legal standing, a married 17-year-old could not access a domestic violence shelter, retain an attorney, or obtain a divorce if the marriage became abusive, creating a dangerous legal trap often described using U.S. State Department human-rights-abuse language.
“a 17 year old cannot easily leave home, enter a domestic violence shelter, retain an attorney or bring a legal action in their own name.”
— Dana Brooks, Oxon Hill · #342527 — read full submission →
“When a child under the age of 18 is married, they cannot seek refuge in a domestic violence shelter if the marriage becomes abusive because they are not an adult in the eyes of the law.”
— Leah McGuirk, Los Angeles · #342594 — read full submission →
Many submitters note that New Hampshire only raised the marriage age to 18 with no exceptions the previous year (SB359) and argue HB433 would undo that progress and set a precedent for further exceptions or future lowering of the age.
“Last year, in its wisdom, the NH Legislature passed an end to child marriage and set the age as 18 with no exceptions, just like all the states around us.”
— Donna Raycraft, Concord · #360354 — read full submission →
“No matter how they phrase it, lowering the marriage age to include minors only opens the door to lowering the age further and further.”
— Katherine Sokol, Hooksett · #370317 — read full submission →
Submitters point out that 17-year-olds cannot vote, drink, sign contracts or leases, or make independent medical decisions, and argue it is inconsistent to allow them to enter a binding marriage while withholding these other rights.
“If citizens of this state, at the age of 17, can't legally vote, smoke, drink, sign a lease, serve on a jury, apply for a credit card, buy a lottery ticket, make their own medical decisions, get a tattoo, buy fireworks, what makes us think they're old enough or mature enough to marry?!”
— Grace Price, Milford · #377206 — read full submission →
“If someone cannot vote, be drafted into the military, drink alcohol, or be tried as an adult in a court of law, then they certainly should not be allowed to be married.”
— Suzanne D'Amato, Bedford · #379827 — read full submission →
Submitters argue that being in the military, or marrying someone who is, does not make a 17-year-old more mature, and that power imbalances or economic pressure in relationships with military members could increase risk of coerced marriage.
“This bill takes a step backward in protecting the rights and well-being of young people in our state.”
— Alison Barnum, Ashland · #379803 — read full submission →
“Even at age 18 a person is still very much a child. However, as they are of legal age to serve in the military and vote they should be allowed to marry. There is no good reason to lower the legal age of marriage to 17 simply because one’s spouse is in the military.”
— Maria Sillari, Portsmouth · #378537 — read full submission →
A few submitters describe firsthand experiences of being forced or pressured into marriage as minors, citing lasting trauma and lack of options to escape the marriage, as evidence against permitting marriage under 18.
“As a minor forced to legally marry my rapist at 16 years old and pregnant I can tell you that I had no where to go and no one to turn to if I had tried to escape my abusers.”
— Sara Tasneem, El Sobrante · #351194 — read full submission →
“I was married at the age of 16. I am now 63 years old. After many years of suffering, grieving and processing through my past, I am just now learning how to be an adult in the world”
— Barbara Adams, Atlanta, Georgia · #342544 — read full submission →
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 (claude code agent) on Jul 20, 2026. Quotes are verbatim excerpts, verified against the cited submission before publication. Summaries are AI interpretation of the record, not part of it.
I strongly oppose any bill that puts a minor in the position of getting married before they are legally considered an adult. This exception would be disastrous to the protection of minors and their rights.
Anyone younger than 18 is not an adult and should therefore not be allowed to get married. It's a person's individual right to choose to get married and someone younger than 18 is not legally an adult.
I am appalled at this day and age we need to fight against child abuse of this nature. A person can’t drink in NH until the age of 21 yet repealing this law says that they are capable of signing a contract to be used as a sexual object. We will not go back to the dark ages. Do not repeal this law!
This is just wrong. I oppose it.
A 17 year old can wait until they are 18 to get married military or not. A 17 year old is considered a minor and therefore should not be allowed to marry. A 17 year old cannot vote and lacks many other rights that only adults have. This decision to marry should not be left to a minor. For those who say it’s only a year, well what about the next time when they try to lower the age to 16 because it’s only a year? The divorce rate is already high enough. A child making this decision should not be allowed. Well what if they are going to be on active duty and want to marry? They can wait.
Let's not legalize pedophilia, thanks
This bill is a disgrace. No 17 year old should be getting married just because someone is in the military. They can’t even make medical decisions for themselves, but they’re grown up enough to make a decision to get MARRIED?!?! You are out of your minds if you think this is a good idea. They can’t even work past 9pm or barely make more than 11.50 an hour at job. Get real. Let them be kids for as long as they can. They should not be getting married. Absolutely not.
Lowering the age opens doors to abuse that is often seen in child marriages. The younger the age the more likely one is to marry because of pressure or coercion. Age-related imbalances of power are a huge problem in cultures in which the age to legally marry is low. If someone wants to get married at 17 and truly is choosing marriage of their own free will- they can wait a year. There are so many reasons why the age should not be lowered but the reasons above are umbrella over all.
January 28, 2024 Dear New Hampshire House of Representatives Children and Family Law Committee, I respectfully submit our organization’s opposition to HB 433, which would lower the marriage age to 17 if either party is active duty military. We are a national advocacy for women and girls with 1,000 members in New Hampshire. On a personal note, I am originally from New Hampshire with my parents, siblings, and extended family still residing in Derry and Londonderry. I am also a military mom who allowed her son to join the Army National Guard at 17. And I am vehemently opposed to allowing anyone under the age of 18 to marry, considering teenagers’ limited legal capacity, and unlike military service, marriage is a lifelong legal contract. Our current laws make it nearly impossible for 17-year-olds–even in the military–to live independently such as rent an apartment without a credit history or even share a drink with their spouse –thus making these underaged children completely dependent on their legal-aged spouse. Based on my work as an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence–is that loopholes for underaged children to marry usually put girls at risk for abuse and lifelong trauma. I have heard from many women who were coerced as teenagers to marry adult men and then could not leave the relationship–even to a domestic violence shelter–because they were underaged and legally under the protection of their husbands. Not only do these girls not have full legal capacity to leave, they most certainly don’t have the money to undo these marital contracts. Any abuse and trauma they suffer is not just an individual’s problem but has a ripple effect on their future relationships, families, and entire communities. Our children deserve better than to be married off at 17! Please vote NO on HB 433, and do not hesitate to contact me with any comments or questions. All my best, Elisa Batista, Campaign Director (415) 305-6217
NH Children deserve to be children and not forced into legitamite child marriages. Please oppose this bill.
Minors should not be allowed to sign legal contracts even if they or the other party is in the military.
It is unconscionable that the State of NH is considering allowing anyone to be married before they are of legal age. If someone cannot vote, be drafted into the military, drink alcohol, or be tried as an adult in a court of law, then they certainly should not be allowed to be married. Marriage is an adult decision that only should be entered into by two consenting adults. We have a duty in this state to protect minors. Child marriage is a step backward and does not protect minors in this state.
Absolutely not! This can not go through! Minors need protection!
I am Alison Barnum, and I live in Ashland, New Hampshire. I am submitting this testimony to voice my strong opposition to the proposed bill that would make 17 the age of consent for marriage if either party is an active-duty military member. This bill takes a step backward in protecting the rights and well-being of young people in our state. While I understand the intent to provide certain exceptions for active-duty military members, allowing marriage at 17—even in such circumstances—undermines efforts to ensure that marriage is a decision made with full maturity, independence, and understanding of its lifelong implications. At 17, individuals are still legally minors in New Hampshire, and they often lack the life experience and emotional development necessary to make such a significant, binding commitment. This is especially concerning given the power dynamics that may exist in relationships involving military personnel, where factors such as economic pressure, authority, and life instability may unduly influence the decision to marry. By introducing this exception, the legislature risks creating a loophole that could lead to coerced or premature marriages. This could have harmful long-term consequences for the individuals involved, including limiting educational opportunities, economic independence, and access to support systems. Moreover, marriage at such a young age has been shown to increase the risk of negative outcomes, including higher rates of divorce and domestic violence. New Hampshire has made progress in recent years to raise the minimum marriage age to 18 without exceptions. This legislation would undermine those advances and send the wrong message about our state’s commitment to protecting young people. Instead of making it easier for minors to marry, we should be focusing on policies that empower them to pursue education, career development, and personal growth before taking on the responsibilities of marriage. I urge the legislature to prioritize the welfare of our youth and reject this bill. New Hampshire should continue to set a high standard for protecting minors from premature and potentially harmful marriages, regardless of the circumstances. Thank you for considering my testimony.
This bill would make it harder for individuals seeking help in cases of domestic violence to find safety without being returned to their abuser. This also means they may be separated from their child if they are placed in foster care. We know this impacts the health of both the infant and the parent. This bill removes many necessary protections for young people in NH. The age was also so recently raised, there is not enough data to understand the impact of the age being 18. Should there be any problems for the 17 year old child, the people who would respond and adjudicate it would be the military, which often skews towards the individual in the military as opposed to a process that may consider the 17 year old's needs and concerns to an equal degree. It also potentially moves this 17 year old far away from their support systems and they are left alone. Please do not support this bill.
I oppose this bill because a 17 year old girl, who has no legal rights, should not be removed from her family and support systems to move around base to base.
I oppose this bill This age is too young. Thank you.
I oppose this bill as a veteren we should be focusing on different issues than this. This age is too young. Thank you.
I oppose this bill as a veteran's wife we should be focusing on different issues than this not this. This age is too young. Thank you.
This bill does not consider the fact that a 17 year old does not have any legal rights and should therefore not be taken from her family and be moved from base to base until she is at least 18.
Worst idea ever. This in not in the best interest of any child. Sure, let them marry a child then remove said child from everything and everyone they know, let them leave school and then expect them to flourish, it absolute insanity.
17 is far too young to get married in this day and age. Military life is already hard on families, let alone a very young newlywed couple. A positive outcome of this situation is not likely. I would argue that 18 is still too young. I got married at age 23 and now divorced because we were too young to make such a life changing decision. I strongly oppose this.
Just last year, we passed a bill that had been through rigorous debate for a decade. All options were reviewed. Child marriage often perpetuates child abuse, domestic abuse, etc. Children should not get married. That is a serious decision that should be left to those who are legal adults only. Please oppose this bill which is unnecessary, despite one of our colleagues attesting to young female teens as "ripe and fertile". Children aren't farm animals intended for breeding. They are people who deserve the opportunity to grow up and make decisions for themselves once they are adults.
I oppose this bill. Only those 18 and older are consenting adults capable of consenting to marriage
I do not support the option to give 17 year old children the right to marry, even if their partner is in the military. Wait until they are legally considered an adult to let them make that decision.