The bill, S.B. No. 967, amends the Texas Family Code to establish stricter regulations regarding the age at which individuals may marry. It specifies that a county clerk cannot issue a marriage license if either applicant is under 18 years of age, regardless of whether they have obtained a court order removing the disabilities of minority. This change is reflected in the amendments to Sections 2.009(a), 2.101, and 6.205, which eliminate previous provisions that allowed for exceptions based on court orders. Additionally, Section 2.003 of the Family Code is repealed, further tightening the restrictions on marriage licenses for minors.

The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to marriage license applications filed and marriages entered into on or after that date. Applications submitted before this date will be governed by the existing laws in effect at the time of submission. The intent of the bill is to prevent individuals under the age of 18 from entering into marriage, thereby enhancing protections for minors in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 2.009, Family Code 2.101, Family Code 6.205, Family Code 2.003 (Family Code 2, Family Code 6)