[brandylee]

I am 15 years old and I have a boyfriend who is 21 years old. Can he get in trouble if we try to get married?( I have a baby)

[RubyPitbull]

Brandylee, even though you are a mother, it has no bearing on whether you can get married. It depends on where you live. At your age, in most states it is either completely illegal or they require that you get parental/guardian consent. If you go to the town clerks office in your area they will tell you what the law is. If you find that you cannot get married, please don't consider lying on the marriage license. It won't be considered a legal marriage.

[ScottGem]

Brandy, if this 21 year old is the father of your baby, I'm surprised he's not in jail. In many areas, his having sex with you would be considered statutory rape.

However, the age of consent to marry does vary from area to area, so it might actually be legal to wed depending on where you live. An important fact you left out.

[Fr_Chuck]

You can not get in trouble for getting married, but of course in every state I am aware of your parents will have to sign for you to get married.

The fact you are 15 and have a baby, I am really surprised he is not in jail on rape charges, since the mere fact you have a baby is proof of it. The doctor, hospital and your parents had a duty and obligation to turn him in, The system has greatly done an injustice by not properly treating him for his actions.

[CaptainForest]

Brandy, if this 21 year old is the father of your baby, I'm surprised he's not in jail. In many areas, his having sex with you would be considered statutory rape.

If she is in Canada, that is not that surprising since age of consent is 14 here.


Brandy,
Can you marry him? Depends on where you live.

Most likely at 15 though, you will need your parent's permission and/or the courts permission.

For example, let's say you live in Ontario.

You can choose to marry on your own when you are 18.

If you are 16 or 17, you need your parent's permission to marry (or you can go the legal route via the court system).

If you are 15 or younger, you MUST have the courts permission (and also your parent's because if your parents are against it, the courts will be too most likely).

[ScottGem]

Even where the age of consent is lower, often the difference between ages is looked at. So a 16 yr old having sex with a 15 yr old might not be prosecuted where a 21 yr old having sex with a 15 yr old would.

[karasuma]

*sigh* I remember when I was 15. We talked about getting married over in Ireland, because you can marry when you're 15 over there.

WHAT a mistake. If I had married or even just STAYED with the guy I was in love with (really in love with) at 15, I would be miserable and living below the poverty line, NOT in University and NOT with the most amazing guy on earth right now.

Ok, so you had a kid, but that doesn't mean you've got to walk down the aisle. Marriage is a binding legal contract, not just a vow of love. You've got all the time in the world to get married, so stick around and see if he's really right. If you hit the legal age without parental consent where you are and you're still with the dude and HAPPY, then go for it. Until then, just sit back and let the years take care of you both.

[MrsHarris]

i am 15 years old and i have a boyfriend who is 21 years old. can he get in trouble if we try to get married?( i have a baby)

Even if you are a mother, you cannot marry anyone with that big of an age difference. It's not legal. 3-5 years older, depnding on the state, to be legal. After that sex is considered statuatory rape and marriage will not be an option. If your relationship is really that strong, just wait until you're 18.

[sexybeasty]

i am 15 years old and i have a boyfriend who is 21 years old. can he get in trouble if we try to get married?( i have a baby)

I cannot understand what your circumstances are that you would want to grow up and have a family at fifteen. Believe me, you will not be remotely the same as you are now and will think completely differently ten years from now and twenty years away... forget it!

Having the baby is one thing. I hope and pray you are mature enough to give this baby the love and care and devotion that he or she deserves. If you have any doubts, adoption is an answer and you can make it an open adoption so that you have a say in your child's future. You would be doing a good and noble thing.

I hope you understand that your boyfriend can go to prison and be charged with a sex offense for being with you sexually, even though it was consentual. You are underage. You need to be thinking about getting good grades, graduating high school and what you will be taking in college... not marriage and diapers. It is not too late to make good decisions. Give everybody a chance and show character by giving the baby to equipted people and moving on to a better place in life.

Pray on it and blessings to you sweetheart. Marriage is not the answer.

[Sbattista42389]

Even if you are a mother, you cannot marry anyone with that big of an age difference. It's not legal. 3-5 years older, depnding on the state, to be legal. After that sex is considered statuatory rape and marriage will not be an option. If your relationship is really that strong, just wait until you're 18.

I am 16 and I just got married 2 months ago... he is 22 and it doesn't make any difference on the years... you have to have one parent sign and no he will not get in trouble I just wouldn't say anything about the baby... then get married and have the child. I got married because I love him... and it's the best thing I've ever done don't let people on here tell you what's right or wrong... if you think he is the one for you... then do it! If however anyone says anything you can get in trouble and he can be put in prison! I love my hubby and I'm glad we did it! Good luck!

[ScottGem]

I am 16 and i just got married 2 months ago.... he is 22 and it doesnt make any difference on the years... and its the best thing ive ever done dont let people on here tell you whats right or wrong...

I wish you all the luck in the world, but come back in 5 years and then tell us it's the best thing you ever did. The odds are that you won't be able to. In two years, when your friends are sowing their wild oats and you are tied down, you may feel very differently.

As for letting people tell someone else, what's right and wrong, that's part of what we do here. Some things are clearly either black or white. Other things have shades of gray.

[Squiffy]

You won't get in trouble for 'trying' to get married, whether you actually can marry is up to the laws where you are.

Good luck to you, but remember, if you two are meant to be together forever you will be, regardless of any piece of paper.

[Sbattista42389]

I wish you all the luck in the world, but come back in 5 years and then tell us its the best thing you ever did. The odds are that you won't be able to. In two years, when your friends are sowing their wild oats and you are tied down, you may feel very differently.

As for letting people tell someone else, what's right and wrong, that's part of what we do here. Some things are clearly either black or white. Other things have shades of gray.

Okay well... just to let you know I can get into clubs and bars now so I'm kind of sowin my wild oats and I don't have to wait and the people I hang out with are over 19 so it really doesn't matter cause they will be settled down by then along with me...

P.S. You're a BUTTHOLE!! Just to let you know that's not gray is it??

[NeedKarma]

... the people i hang out with are over 19 so it really doesnt matter cause they will be settled down by then along with me.......

Most likely not - these days people are getting married and having children much later in life than they ever had in the past.

[ScottGem]

okay well... just to let you know i can get into clubs and bars now so im kinda sowin my wild oats and i dont have to wait and the people i hang out with are over 19 so it really doesnt matter cause they will be settled down by then along with me.......

P.S. YOUR A BUTTHOLE!!!!!!!!!!! just to let you know thats not gray is it????

Thank you, you have just proven my point. You are obviously too immature to be married. The fact that, at 16, you going into clubs and bars (illegally) is just one indication. Your insult (in violation of the rules here) is another.

Forget waiting 5 years, come back in 2.

[talaniman]

I am 16 and i just got married 2 months ago.... he is 22 and it doesnt make any difference on the years... you have to have one parent sign and no he will not get in trouble i just wouldnt say anything about the baby... then get married and have the child. I got married because i love him... and its the best thing ive ever done dont let people on here tell you whats right or wrong... if you think he is the one for you.... then do it! If however anyone says anything you can get in trouble and he can be put in prison! i love my hubby and im glad we did it! good luck!

Please let us know how things are after the honeymoon is over.

[talaniman]

i am 15 years old and i have a boyfriend who is 21 years old. can he get in trouble if we try to get married?( i have a baby)

Just curious as to is he the baby's father? Your child is the first priority in your life now, and where in the world do you live, so you can get the truth as to how your laws apply to you.
Also curious as how long you've known this fellow?

[robertsqueen]

Okay... wow I am shocked you are fifteen years old and you have a baby? Do you raise the baby all by yourself? How old is the baby? Just curious. I think that you need to wait to get married right now. You have your whole life ahead of you... why rush? My husband and I waited until after a year until we married.. just to make sure that was what we wanted to do. You don't have to get married because you have a baby. Also what does your parents think about the baby's father? He is twenty-one and is with a fifteen year old. I agree with chuck's post about how our system has failed us... he should have been reported.

[Sbattista42389]

Thank you, you have just proven my point. You are obviously too immature to be married. The fact that, at 16, you going into clubs and bars (illegally) is just one indication. Your insult (in violation of the rules here) is another.

Forget waiting 5 years, come back in 2.

No what's immature is you thinking that your so high and mighty that you can tell everyone what's right and wrong... and its not illegal that I'm going into bars and clubs because it's a Texas law! In 2 years ill be a nurse... just to let you know I've already graduated high school! Some peoples lifes are normal others aren't so people mature way earlier than others and one of those people is me! So I'm sorry I don't fit into your perfect world! But I think my world is pretty perfect!

[Tuscany]

Sweetie,
Those harsh words for Scott are completely unnecessary. He is just offering his opinion on your situation. Remember you came here and asked us to share our opinions. He is correct, going to a bar at 15 without parental supervision is illegal. It is a FEDERAL law that you must be 21 in order to consume alcohol and 18 to be in a bar unsupervised by an adult. Therefore it does not matter if you live in Texas, Idaho, or New York City. It is the law of the USA, so as long as you reside on US soil, the law applies to you as well.

It is very commendable that you were able to graduate from high school early, and even more commendable that at 15 you know what you want to do with the rest of your life. But honestly, what is the rush with getting married. If you are committed to one another, how is a piece of paper going to change that? Why not wait until you are older, you have your nursing career underway, and have some money saved in the bank, and your child is older. Your persectives will change as time goes by, and what you want now, might not be what you want in a couple of years. Trust me...