CHAPTER 363

An Act to amend and reenact § 20-48 of the Code of Virginia, relating to
the minimum age of marriage with the consent of one’s parents.
[S 7]
Approved March 30, 1960

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 20-48 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as
follows:
§ 20-48. The minimum age at which minors may marry, with con-
sent of the parent or guardian, shall be eighteen for the male and sixteen
for the female.

In case of pregnancy when either the female is under sixteen or the
male under eighteen, the clerk authorized to issue marriage licenses in
the county or city wherein the female resides shall issue proper marriage
license with the consent of the parent or guardian of the person or per-
sons under the ages aforesaid only upon presentation of a doctor’s certifi-
cate showing he has examined the female and that she is pregnant, or has
been pregnant within nine months previous to such examination, which
certificate shall be filed by the clerk, and such marriage consummated
under such circumstances shall be valid. If any such person under the age
aforesaid be a ward of the State by virtue of having been adjudicated a
delinquent, dependent, or neglected child, instead of the consent of the
parent or natural guardian there shall be required the consent of the judge
or justice having jurisdiction to control the custody of such person; or, if
such person so adjudicated shall have been committed to the Board of
Welfare and Institutions or to any society, association, or institution ap-
proved by it for this purpose, such consent shall be given by some person
thereto authorized by the Commissioner of Public Welfare, or by the prin-
cipal executive officer of such society, association, or institution, as the
case may be.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent clerks from
issuing a marriage license under circumstances mentioned in § *18.1-45,
or to prevent persons under circumstances mentioned therein from

marrying.
2. This act shall become effective on July 1, 1960.