london marriages 1860-1870.COMPLETED

[geckogirl]

What was the youngest age a person could get married ? I presume if they were a minor, the parents would have to consent.

[KGarrad]

Historically, thre was no minimum age for marriage.
Legislation in 1753 set the minimum age at 12.
This was raised to 16 in 1929.

Parental consent was required for all under the age of 21.

[geckogirl]

wow, I am shocked ! Thank you.

[KGarrad]

But please remember that (in England & Wales) marriages, like births and deaths, were informant led!

Which means that if an incorrect age was given to the cleric or registrar, under-age marriages would sometimes take place.
Many people declared they were 21, even if younger, in order to avoid having to have parental consent!

[geckogirl]

Absolutely , spot on. My grandmother was just 16 when she married, but her age on the certificate  is down as 20.

[stevie922]

The first legislation was in 1753 which set the minimum marriage age for 12 years for girls and 14 years for boys. In 1929, it was raised to 16 years for both genders. It was very common to find "full age" or "minor" listed in the age columns prior to the 1900s, full age meant 21 years or over and minor meant 21 years and under. Under 21 years of age required parental consent for marriage, which is why plenty of people gave their age as "full" which didn't require parental consent. But, in the 1900s, you had to have your birth certificate for marriage to prove your age. I remember the fuss getting married myself.

[KGarrad]

But, in the 1900s, you had to have your birth certificate for marriage to prove your age. I remember the fuss getting married myself.

It has never been a requirement, in England & Wales, to provide a Birth Certificate!
That was the point of Banns being called on 3 successive Sundays - it gave the parishioners the chance to object if they thought something wasn't quite right!
Similarly, even today, Register Offices post list of forthcoming marriages.

These days, proof of age can be provided by passport, driving licence or national ID card.

see: https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/documents-to-take-to-the-register-office

[Bookbox]

The first legislation was in 1753 which set the minimum marriage age for 12 years for girls and 14 years for boys.

I don't think so. The minimum age of 12 for girls and 14 for boys was established under ecclesiastical (canon) law, not civil law. The 1753 Act doesn't refer to a minimum age for marriage.

The text of the Act is here ..
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/1753.htm

I expect Guy will be along soon, to put us all right 

[geckogirl]

Thank you everybody for your help, all very interesting.