Hello my name is estefania. I'm latina and I am sixteen years old and I would like to know if a sixteen year old can marry a twenty two year old guy? And if yes what is needed for the wedding? By the way it's a civil wedding.

This depends on where you live. In most states a 16 yr old can get married but only with parental permission. However, I would be skeptical of a 22 yr old wanting to marry a 16 yr old.

I would strongly urge you to wait. If your love is strong it will stand the wait.

No, you can't without your parents permission. They would have to sign a document for it to be legal

Why would you want to get married at 16? Are you pregnant and this is a way to prevent him from going to jail for statutory rape or what?

Thank you for your advice. We have talked about it and yes we will wait. If we have been together for three years already I think we can handle more. I really appreciate your comment. And he is a very good guy he has respected me all the way through, his family is pretty cool too.

Thank you for answering my question. I want to marry him because I love him. We have been dating or going out for three years already. No, I'm no pregnant we have respected each other since we met. I am not thinking of getting pregnant this young because my dream is on playing professional soccer some day, and I know that if I get pregnant I will ruin my life. We have thought about our marriage and we will wait. But thanks anyway. ;)

Okay. Thank you for answering my question I really appreciate it. I found out the same information at the clark court of where I live, but my boyfriend and I have thought about it and we will wait.:)

That is good you decided to wait and you sound mature enough to make rational decisions instead of thinking with your hormones.

To answer your question about requirements it depends on the state you live in
Basically you will need proof of citizenship/residence and proper ID
Some states require a blood test
You have to apply for a marriage license and then there is usually a waiting period or a time limitation that you need to marry by.

I'm sorry, but this bothers me. If you have been dating for 3 years that means he was a 19 yr old dating a 13 yr old. And that is wrong on many levels. Since you seem to be mature with a level head on your shoulders, I have to wonder what is wrong with him.

I also have to wonder about your feelings for him. How much experience have you had that you can really tell that you love him.

Not only do I urge you to wait, But I urge you to BOTH see other people. Again, if this is a real, true love, then it will pass that test. If it isn't you want to know it now before you marry.

I am not sure that I agree with seeing other people because if you are really in love that can put a strain on any relationship. While your situation is not common it is possible. The problem is that today's generation wants instant everything and they 'fall in love' too easily and fall out of love even easier because they didn't base a relationship on good values and reality. Back in my grandparents day it was common for 15 yr olds to marry somewhat older guys but they had a different value system then. I do hear of this type relationship working today but it is very rare.
But as Scott said How much experience have you had that you can really tell that you love him.
Many 'couples' say they love the other person but they don't even have any idea what the other wants out of the relationship, goals, expectations, etc...
Like they get married on I love you's alone only to find out he is outgoing and wants to hang out with his friends way too much and leave her sit at home.
He wants a house in the city and no kids or pets while she wants a house in the country with lots of kids and pets. He wants her to work while she planned on staying at home raising kids, etc...

In another thread we have an example of a 17 yr old who married her JHS sweetheart. She went on to get a college degree and is now looking to divorce him and move out of state. But because they have kids her ability to move is restrained. These are the type of things you need to deal with when you marry too young.

Exactly so it is important to discuss the future in as much detail as possible. When one goes to college or an out of state job and the other can't go along it does put a strain on the relationship so all these things need planned.