When is a marriage valid?

When is a marriage valid?

• A. If both have the capacity to marry, neither is already married, and the requisite ceremonies are freely entered into and observed.
• B. If the couple signs a civil contract.
• C. If the couple lives together for one year.
• D. If the couple has parental consent.

Answer: (A)

A valid marriage happens when both people have the legal capacity to marry, neither is already married to someone else, and the marriage is properly solemnized or registered in accordance with the law. These elements ensure that the spouses can give genuine consent, that there are no existing impediments (like bigamy), and that the act of marrying is performed in the legally recognised way. The other ideas don’t meet these requirements. Simply signing a civil contract isn’t a marriage in itself, so it doesn’t establish validity. Living together for a year does not create a legally binding marriage. Parental consent may be relevant in limited cases (for minors), but it does not, on its own, make a marriage valid for adults.

A valid marriage happens when both people have the legal capacity to marry, neither is already married to someone else, and the marriage is properly solemnized or registered in accordance with the law. These elements ensure that the spouses can give genuine consent, that there are no existing impediments (like bigamy), and that the act of marrying is performed in the legally recognised way.

The other ideas don’t meet these requirements. Simply signing a civil contract isn’t a marriage in itself, so it doesn’t establish validity. Living together for a year does not create a legally binding marriage. Parental consent may be relevant in limited cases (for minors), but it does not, on its own, make a marriage valid for adults.