Grenada moves to set 18 as minimum age for marriage. Photo: Internet Source

Parliament meets on July 24, and the legislation seeks to amend the Marriage Act “to increase the minimum age at which a person may marry from 16 years of age to 18 years of age, and to remove any exceptions.”

Currently, the Marriage Act allows parents to give consent for a 16-year-old child to get married.

“As from the appointed day, any person who attains the age of 18 years shall be of the age of full civil legal responsibility and thus have full legal capacity to deal with civil matters without needing the consent of his parents or guardians, or the permission of any court of law, on account only of his age,” the proposed legislation states.

The amendment will also affect the Marriage (Special Licences–Destination Wedding) Regulations by allowing for a special licence made out in writing and addressed to the Governor-General, signed by one of the parties to the intended marriage.

The licence must state the full name, address, age, occupation and marital status of both parties.

A special marriage licence is granted to people residing in the country for a minimum of 24 hours.