SB 76 Utah Senate · 2025 General Session

Marriage Amendments

SB 76, titled "Marriage Amendments," changes Utah law regarding minors (under 18) seeking to marry by adding two key restrictions. It prohibits juvenile courts from authorizing a marriage if the age difference between the couple exceeds four years and requires a 72-hour waiting period after a petition is filed before authorization can be granted. These provisions directly affect minors, their parents or guardians, and juvenile courts handling marriage petitions. The bill does not alter existing requirements for parental consent, documentation, or premarital counseling but adds these safeguards to the existing process.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Mar 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 26, 2025
MINOR
This bill amends Utah's marriage laws for minors by changing the maximum age difference allowed between parties from seven years to four years, adding a 72-hour waiting period before a minor can get court authorization to marry, and making technical formatting corrections throughout the statute.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on marriage of minors, but eligibility criteria for court authorization have been narrowed by reducing the maximum age difference threshold.
ELIGIBILITY

Reduced the maximum age difference between parties in a minor's marriage from seven years to four years before a juvenile court can authorize the marriage.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory 72-hour waiting period after filing a petition before a juvenile court can issue written authorization for a minor to marry.

TECHNICAL

Made formatting corrections throughout the statute, including fixing line breaks, correcting bracketed text in the age difference provision, and standardizing document formatting.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
35
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 26, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 20, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
legislature
Feb 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors