How to Use the Marriage Annulment Deadline Calculator
An annulment treats a marriage as void or voidable rather than ending a valid one, and each ground carries its own filing window. Choose the ground, enter the date that starts the clock, and the calculator returns the deadline and the time left.
Annulment is governed by state law, so there is no federal period. This tool is prefilled with California Family Code 2211, one of the clearest statutes: four years from the 18th birthday for an underage petitioner, four years from discovery for fraud, and four years from the marriage for force or physical incapacity, while a prior existing marriage or unsound mind has no fixed period. Your state may differ, so the custom option is provided.
| Ground | Clock starts | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Petitioner under 18 at marriage | 18th birthday | 4 years |
| Prior existing marriage | - | Any time while both are living |
| Unsound mind | - | Any time before either party dies |
| Fraud | Discovery of the fraud | 4 years |
| Force | Date of marriage | 4 years |
| Physical incapacity | Date of marriage | 4 years |
Figures are current as of September 2026 and state legislatures amend these statutes. Check your own state code before relying on a date.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Annulment is state law and the periods differ. California Family Code 2211 is one of the clearest statutes and is used here as a representative example, but your state may set shorter or longer periods.
It depends on the ground. Fraud runs from the date the facts were discovered, force and physical incapacity run from the date of the marriage, and an underage marriage runs from the date the petitioner turned 18.
Annulment may be unavailable, but divorce or legal separation usually is not time barred. Discuss the alternatives with a family law attorney before assuming the case is over.