Kuwait has enacted Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, amending Article 26 of Law No. 51 of 1984 to set the minimum legal age for marriage at 18. The decree, published in the official newspaper Kuwait Today, states that marriage contracts cannot be documented or validated for individuals below this age. The law takes effect immediately.
According to the explanatory memorandum, this amendment aligns with Kuwait’s constitutional commitment to safeguarding family, motherhood, and childhood, in accordance with Islamic Sharia. It also ensures compliance with international agreements, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which defines a child as anyone under 18 and calls for protection against early marriage. Additionally, it aligns with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which promotes free and full consent in marriage and encourages setting a minimum marriage age. A corresponding amendment has also been made to the Jaafari Personal Status Law, reinforcing the prohibition of marriage documentation for individuals under 18.
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