New Law Raises Minimum Marriage Age to 19

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on 14 October, 2019 signed Law Number 16 of 2019 on Amendment to Law Number 1 of 2014 on Marriage. The new Law was approved by the House of Representatives (DPR) on 16 September, 2019.

The main amendment to Law Number 1 of 2014 is the Article 7. The Law Number 1 of 2014 stipulated that marriage is only permitted if the man has reached the age of 19 (nineteen) and the woman has reached the age of 16 (sixteen). In the new Law the provision changes.

“Marriage is only permitted if men and women have reached the age of 19 (nineteen),” Article 7 paragraph (1) of Law Number 16 of 2019 reads.

In the event of a deviation from the age requirement, the Law stipulates that the parents can request a dispensation from the Court on the grounds that it is very urgent accompanied by sufficient supporting evidence.

“The granting of dispensation by the Court as intended must take into account the opinions of the two persons who will hold a marriage,” article 7 paragraph (3) of this Law reads.

The Law also states that when the Law comes into force, marriage requests that have been registered under Law Number 1 of 1974 on Marriage will be processed in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 1 of 1974 on Marriage.

“The Law shall apply as of the date of its promulgation,” Article II of Law Number 16 of 2019 reads. The Law was promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights ad interim Tjahjo Kumolo on 15 October, 2019. (Pusdatin/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Yuyu Mulyani