North Carolina is a destination for child marriage. A new bill could change that

Two-thirds of marriage applications in Buncombe county last year were filed by non-residents seeking to marry an underage person, an official said

Known for its coastlines, mountains and the state that was first in flight", North Carolina has also developed a more dubious reputation as a regional destination for adults who want to marry children.

State lawmakers are nearing passage of a bill that could finally dampen the state's appeal as the go-to place to bring child brides - but would still leave it short of a national push to increase the age to 18. The proposed legislation would raise the minimum marriage age from 14 to 16 and limit the age difference between a 16-year-old and their spouse to four years.