Arizona statute
A.R.S. § 13-3609 — Child bigamy; classification; definitions
Current through 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 36: Family Offenses, Arizona Revised Statutes.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of A.R.S. § 13-3609
Statutory text current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text published by the Arizona Legislature (Arizona Legislative Council compilation, azleg.gov); it is not the official statutes of the State of Arizona.
A. A person commits child bigamy if the person knowingly does any of the following:
1. Is at least eighteen years of age, has a spouse and marries a child.
2. Is at least eighteen years of age and, either alone or in association with others, directs, causes or controls the marriage of a child to a person who already has a spouse.
3. Is at least eighteen years of age and, either alone or in association with others, directs, causes or controls the marriage of a child if the child already has a spouse.
4. Is at least eighteen years of age and marries a child if the child already has a spouse.
5. Transports or finances the transportation of a child to promote marriage between the child and a person who already has a spouse.
6. Transports or finances the transportation of a child who already has a spouse to promote marriage between the child and another person.
B. This section does not apply if a person who marries a child:
1. Has a spouse who has been absent for at least five successive years without being known to the person within that time to be living.
2. Has a former marriage that has been pronounced void, annulled or dissolved by judgment of a competent court.
C. A violation of this section is a class 3 felony.
D. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Marriage" means the state of joining together as husband and wife through an agreement, promise or ceremony regardless of whether a marriage license has been issued by the appropriate authority.
2. "Marry" means to join together as husband and wife through an agreement, promise or ceremony regardless of whether a marriage license has been issued by the appropriate authority.
3. "Spouses" means two persons living together as husband and wife, including the assumption of those marital rights, duties and obligations that are usually manifested by married people, including but not necessarily dependent on sexual relations.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is child bigamy a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
Child bigamy is a Class 3 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-3609.
Which Arizona statute covers child bigamy?
Child bigamy is governed by A.R.S. § 13-3609 (Child bigamy; classification; definitions).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.