A person who, under false pretenses, entices another to promise marriage, cannot demand the fulfilment of the promise and is even liable to punishment.
A betrothal entered into through force or fear, or during a state of intoxication or temporary insanity, is not valid.
Impediments To Marriage.—
1. Lack of free consent.
2. Epilepsy. Sufferers from epilepsy (epilepsia idiopathica) are barred from marrying.
3. A heathen or a person who does not belong to any recognized religious creed cannot contract a lawful marriage.
4. Non-age. Marriage can be lawfully entered into by males 21 years of age and over and by females 17 years of age and over. A male Laplander, however, may marry when 17 years of age and a female when 15 years of age. A dispensation may be granted from the impediment of non-age, but such dispensation is not granted a male unless his marriage is approved by his parents or guardians and unless he is a person of good reputation and able to support a wife.
Consent of Parents.—A male requires the consent of no third party. Any female under 21 years of age requires the consent of her marriage guardian.
Consanguinity and Affinity.—Marriage is prohibited between relatives by blood in the direct line or between two relatives by blood in the collateral line, one or both of whom are descended in the first degree from the common ancestor.
Marriage is also prohibited between relatives by affinity in the direct line.