H.R. 9758: Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026

Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026

This bill changes how children are treated under immigration law. It-

• Sets a minimum petitioner age requirement of 18 for aliens and U.S. citizens sponsoring a spouse or fiancé;

• Establishes a baseline age requirement of 18 for noncitizen beneficiaries of spousal and fiancé visas;

• Creates a narrow exception for 16- and 17-year-old beneficiaries only if they reside in a state that permits underage marriage and can prove a compelling humanitarian reason (explicitly excluding parental consent or pregnancy);

• Mandates separate, private interviews for both parties if either was under 18 at the time of the marriage or engagement; and

• Restricts proxy marriages for immigration purposes by requiring both parties to have met in person within the two years prior to the ceremony.