Rule 5.448. Minor's request to marry or establish a domestic partnership

After obtaining a court order granting a minor permission to marry or establish a domestic partnership, the parties must wait 30 days from the date the court made the order before filing a marriage license or filing a declaration of domestic partnership.

(iii) May impose a reasonable fee to cover the cost of any counseling provided by the county or the court; and

(1) The minor and the minor's proposed spouse or domestic partner must complete and file with the court clerk a Request of Minor to Marry or Establish a Domestic Partnership (form FL-910).

Each minor must file written consent from a parent with legal authority or a legal guardian in addition to form FL-910, unless no such person is capable of consenting; form FL-912 may be used.

(1) Interview the parties intending to marry or establish a domestic partnership.

(A) The parties must initially be interviewed separately;

(B) The parties may subsequently be interviewed together.

(2) Interview at least one of the parents or the legal guardian of each party who is a minor, if the minor has a parent or legal guardian.

If more than one parent or legal guardian is interviewed, the parents or guardians must be interviewed separately.

(3) Inform the parties that Family Court Services must:

(C) Submit a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect to the county child protective services agency if Family Court Services knows or reasonably suspects that either party is a victim of child abuse or neglect.

(4) Prepare a written report, which must:

(A) Include an assessment of any potential force, threat, persuasion, fraud, coercion, or duress by either of the parties or their family members relating to the intended marriage or domestic partnership;

(B) Include recommendations for granting or denying the parties permission to marry or establish a domestic partnership; and

(C) Be submitted to the parties and the court.

(i) Separately and privately interview each of the parties;

(ii) Consider whether there is any evidence of coercion or undue influence on the minor.

(B) Complete Order and Notices to Minor on Request to Marry or Establish a Domestic Partnership (form FL-915).

(A) Appear at a hearing to consider whether it is in the best interest of the minor to marry or establish a domestic partnership.

(B) Participate in counseling concerning the social, economic, and personal responsibilities incident to the marriage or domestic partnership before the marriage or domestic partnership is established.

(i) Must not require the parties to confer with counselors provided by religious organizations of any denomination;

(ii) Must consider, among other factors, the ability of the parties to pay for the counseling in determining whether to order the parties to participate in counseling;

(iv) May require the parties to file a certificate of completion of counseling before granting permission to marry or establish a domestic partnership.

(A) Storage and disposal of records and any personal information gathered during the interviews; and

(B) Management of written reports containing recommendations for either granting or denying permission for a minor to marry or establish a domestic partnership.