Strange Marriage Laws From Around the World

By: Tracey Manailescu

I thought it would be interesting to see what outlandish marriage laws were (some still are) in force around the world. Wow! These are some doozies:

*The Romani, also known as Gypsies, for centuries have had this tradition, that if you manage to forcefully kidnap a girl and keep her by your side for 2-3 days, she officially becomes your wife.

*Four states in the United States allow Proxy Marriages.  California, Colorado, Texas, and Montana. California’s proxy marriage is limited to members of the armed forces who are deployed for conflicts or war. 

California, Colorado, and Texas require that one of parties must appear before the civil authorities.  Montana is the only state that allows a Double Proxy marriage where neither party has to appear before the civil authorities.  For the Montana Marriage Code click on this link: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/40/1/40-1-301.htm

*Alabama, prison guards are forbidden from referring to their spouses as “the old ball ‘n’ chain.”

*Uganda, The best gift that the father gave to his son on the wedding night was to help him perform his manly duties on the wedding night. This meant for the father-in-law to sleep with the bride before the groom.

*In Guam law, rumour has it that it is expressly forbidden for a virgin to marry. Therefore, there are men who have full-time jobs (who also get paid) to deflower virgins.

Disclaimer: This appears to be a rumour.  Please see article

                                                                                                                                                                  *24 states in the USA say that if your husband is impotent its grounds for a divorce.

 *Vermont, USA -For a woman to wear false teeth she first must get written permission from her husband.