Saudi Arabia bans under-18 marriage

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Justice has banned the marriage of persons under the age of 18.

Saudi also set the minimum age for marriage at 18.

According to Saudi Gazette, the Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Sheikh Dr. Walid Al-Samaani issued a circular to all courts highlighting the ban on marriage for persons under 18.

The newspaper said, “All such requests are to be referred to the specialised court to complete the formalities in line with the Child Protection Law and while implementing the established regulations.”

Al-Samaani’s directives are based on paragraph (16/3) of the executive regulations of the Child Protection Law, which says “before conducting marriage contracts one has to make sure that marrying a person under the age of 18 will not harm him or her and achieve their best interests, male or female.”