zablocki redhail argued october decided january wisconsin statute providing resident state minor issue custody obligation support order judgment may marry without approval order granted absent showing support obligation met children covered support order likely thereafter become public charges held violate equal protection clause fourteenth amendment pp since right marry fundamental importance loving virginia statutory classification involved significantly interferes exercise right critical examination state interests advanced support classification required massachusetts board retirement murgia pp state interests assertedly served challenged statute unnecessarily impinge right marry statute designed furnish opportunity counsel persons prior obligations obligations incurred neither expressly requires counselling provides automatic approval counseling completed statute justified encouraging applicant support children proceeding state already possesses numerous means exacting compliance support obligations merely prevents applicant getting married without ensuring support applicant prior children though suggested statute protects ability marriage applicants meet prior support obligations new ones incurred statute underinclusive limit new financial commitments arising contemplated marriage overinclusive since new spouse may better applicant financial situation pp marshall delivered opinion burger brennan white blackmun joined burger filed concurring opinion post stewart post powell post stevens post filed opinions concurring judgment rehnquist filed dissenting opinion post ward johnson assistant attorney general wisconsin argued cause appellant briefs bronson la follette attorney general robert russell john devitt robert blondis argued cause filed briefs appellee justice marshall delivered opinion issue case constitutionality wisconsin statute stat provides members certain class wisconsin residents may marry within state elsewhere without first obtaining order granting permission marry class defined statute include wisconsin resident minor issue custody obligation support order judgment statute specifies permission granted unless marriage applicant submits proof compliance support obligation addition demonstrates children covered support order likely thereafter become public charges marriage license may lawfully issued wisconsin person covered statute except upon order marriage entered without compliance declared void persons acquiring marriage licenses violation section subject criminal penalties denied marriage license failure comply appellee brought class action challenging statute violative equal protection due process clauses fourteenth amendment seeking declaratory injunctive relief district eastern district wisconsin held statute unconstitutional equal protection clause enjoined enforcement supp noted probable jurisdiction affirm appellee redhail wisconsin resident terms unable enter lawful marriage wisconsin elsewhere long maintains wisconsin residency facts according stipulation filed parties district follows january appellee minor high school student paternity action instituted milwaukee county alleging father baby girl born wedlock july appeared admitted child father entered order may adjudging appellee father ordering pay per month support child reached years age may august appellee unemployed indigent consequently unable make support payments september appellee filed application marriage license appellant zablocki county clerk milwaukee county days later application denied sole ground appellee obtained order granting permission marry required although appellee petition state thereafter stipulated able satisfy either statutory prerequisites order granting permission marry first satisfied support obligations illegitimate child december arrearage excess second child public charge since birth receiving benefits aid families dependent children program stipulated child benefit payments public charge even appellee current support payments december appellee filed complaint district behalf class wisconsin residents refused marriage license pursuant one county clerks wisconsin zablocki named defendant individually representative class consisting county clerks state complaint alleged among things appellee woman desired marry expecting child march wished lawfully married time statute attacked grounds deprived appellee class sought represent equal protection due process rights secured first fifth ninth fourteenth amendments constitution convened pursuant appellee moved certification plaintiff defendant classes named complaint order dated february plaintiff class certified fed rule civ proc parties filed stipulation facts briefs merits oral argument heard district june representative wisconsin attorney general office participating addition counsel parties handed unanimous decision august ruled first required abstain decision principles set forth huffman pursue younger harris since pending proceeding frustrated declaratory injunctive relief requested second held class county clerks wisconsin proper defendant class rules neither rule due process required prejudgment notice members plaintiff defendant class merits panel analyzed challenged statute equal protection clause concluded strict scrutiny required classification created statute infringed upon fundamental right right marry proceeded evaluate interests advanced state justify statute finding classification necessary achievement interests held statute invalid enjoined county clerks enforcing appellant brought direct appeal pursuant claiming erred finding invalid equal protection clause appellee defends lower equal protection holding alternative urges affirmance district judgment ground statute satisfy requirements substantive due process agree district statute violates equal protection clause ii evaluating equal protection clause must first determine burden justification classification created thereby must meet looking nature classification individual interests affected memorial hospital maricopa county since past decisions make clear right marry fundamental importance since classification issue significantly interferes exercise right believe critical examination state interests advanced support classification required massachusetts board retirement murgia see san antonio independent school dist rodriguez leading decision right marry loving virginia case interracial couple convicted violating virginia miscegenation laws challenged statutory scheme equal protection due process grounds opinion rested solely ground statutes discriminated basis race violation equal protection clause went hold laws arbitrarily deprived couple fundamental liberty protected due process clause freedom marry language latter point bears repeating freedom marry long recognized one vital personal rights essential orderly pursuit happiness free men marriage one basic civil rights man fundamental existence survival quoting skinner oklahoma ex rel williamson recent decisions established right marry part fundamental right privacy implicit fourteenth amendment due process clause griswold connecticut observed deal right privacy older bill rights older political parties older school system marriage coming together better worse hopefully enduring intimate degree sacred association promotes way life causes harmony living political faiths bilateral loyalty commercial social projects yet association noble purpose involved prior decisions cases subsequent griswold loving routinely categorized decision marry among personal decisions protected right privacy see generally whalen roe nn example last term carey population services international declared outer limits right personal privacy marked clear among decisions individual may make without unjustified government interference personal decisions relating marriage loving virginia procreation skinner oklahoma ex rel williamson contraception eisenstadt baird white concurring result family relationships prince massachusetts child rearing education pierce society sisters meyer nebraska quoting roe wade surprising decision marry placed level importance decisions relating procreation childbirth child rearing family relationships facts case illustrate make little sense recognize right privacy respect matters family life respect decision enter relationship foundation family society woman appellee desired marry fundamental right seek abortion expected child see roe wade supra bring child life suffer myriad social economic disabilities status illegitimacy brings see trimble gordon weber aetna casualty surety surely decision marry raise child traditional family setting must receive equivalent protection appellee right procreate means anything must imply right enter relationship state wisconsin allows sexual relations legally take place reaffirming fundamental character right marry mean suggest every state regulation relates way incidents prerequisites marriage must subjected rigorous scrutiny contrary reasonable regulations significantly interfere decisions enter marital relationship may legitimately imposed see califano jobst ante infra statutory classification issue however clearly interfere directly substantially right marry challenged statute wisconsin resident affected class may marry wisconsin elsewhere without order marriages contracted violation statute void punishable criminal offenses affected class like appellee never able obtain necessary order either lack financial means meet support obligations prove children become public charges persons absolutely prevented getting married many others able theory satisfy statute requirements sufficiently burdened effect coerced forgoing right marry even persuaded meet statute requirements suffer serious intrusion freedom choice area held freedom fundamental iii statutory classification significantly interferes exercise fundamental right upheld unless supported sufficiently important state interests closely tailored effectuate interests see carey population services international memorial hospital maricopa county san antonio independent school dist rodriguez bullock carter appellant asserts two interests served challenged statute proceeding furnishes opportunity counsel applicant necessity fulfilling prior support obligations welfare children protected may accept present purposes legitimate substantial interests since means selected state achieving interests unnecessarily impinge right marry statute sustained evidence challenged statute originally introduced wisconsin legislature intended merely establish mechanism whereby persons support obligations children prior marriages counseled entered new marital relationships incurred support obligations permission marry required apparently permission automatically granted counseling completed statute actually enacted however expressly require provide counseling whatsoever automatic granting permission marry thus hardly justified means ensuring counseling persons within coverage even assuming counseling take place fact evidence record interest obviously support withholding permission marry counseling completed regard safeguarding welfare children appellant brief make clear connection state interest statute requirements argument appellant counsel suggested since permission marry granted unless applicant shows satisfied support obligations prior children children become public charges statute provides incentive applicant make support payments children tr oral arg collection device rationale justify statute broad infringement right marry first respect individuals unable meet statutory requirements statute merely prevents applicant getting married without delivering money hands applicant prior children importantly regardless applicant ability willingness meet statutory requirements state already numerous means exacting compliance support obligations means least effective instant statute yet impinge upon right marry wisconsin law whether children prior marriage born wedlock support obligations may enforced directly via wage assignments civil contempt proceedings criminal penalties state believes parents children custody responsible ensuring children become public charges interest achieved adjusting criteria used determining amounts paid support orders also suggestion protects ability marriage applicants meet support obligations prior children preventing applicants incurring new support obligations challenged provisions grossly underinclusive respect purpose since limit way new financial commitments applicant arising contemplated marriage statutory classification substantially overinclusive well given possibility new spouse actually better applicant financial situation contributing income job otherwise statute many cases may prevent affected individuals improving ability satisfy prior support obligations although true applicant incur support obligations children born contemplated marriage preventing marriage may result children born wedlock fact occurred appellee case since support obligation whether child born wedlock net result preventing marriage simply illegitimate children statutory classification created thus justified interests advanced support judgment district accordingly affirmed terry rose filed brief wisconsin civil liberties union foundation amicus curiae urging affirmance footnotes wisconsin resident minor issue custody obligation support order judgment may marry state elsewhere without order either state granted judgment support order divorce jurisdiction county state minor issue resides marriage license application made marriage license shall issued person except upon order within days permission sought verified petition special proceeding shall direct hearing held matter allow said person submit proof compliance prior obligation order shall granted hearing held unless parties intended marriage appear unless person agency institution welfare department entity legal actual custody minor issue given notice proceeding personal service copy petition least days prior hearing except appearance notice may waived upon good cause shown minor issue prior marriage unless notice thereof given family commissioner county permission sought shall attend hearing family commissioner granted divorce judgment divorce judgment granted foreign service shall made clerk upon hearing said person submits proof makes showing children likely thereafter become public charges shall grant order copy shall filed prior proceeding divorce action person state affected thereby otherwise permission license shall withheld proof submitted showing made order withholding permission appealable order hearing section may waived satisfied examination records case family support records office clerk well disclosure said person financial resources latter complied prior orders judgments affecting minor children also shown children likely thereafter become public charges county clerk state shall issue license person required comply section unless certified copy order permitting marriage filed said county clerk wisconsin resident support obligations minor stated sub wishes marry another state must prior marriage obtain permission sub except hearing ordered held party proposed marriage domiciled another state need present hearing party present hearing judge shall within days send copy order permission marry stating obligations support party present section shall extraterritorial effect outside state providing marriages circumvent wisconsin law void applicable hereto marriage contracted without compliance section compliance required shall void whether entered state elsewhere record indicate whether appellee obtained employment subsequent august wisconsin law arriage may validly solemnized contracted within state license issued therefor stat exception relevant license must obtained county clerk county one parties resided least days immediately prior making application therefor order defined plaintiff class follows wisconsin residents minor issue custody obligation support minor issue order judgment county clerk refused issue marriage license without order pursuant stats supp possibility abstention might required decision huffman pursue raised district sua sponte argument appellee subsequently filed memorandum contending abstention required appellant submit response appellant argues appeal district failed consider doctrine federalism set forth younger huffman according appellant proper consideration doctrine led district require appellee bring suit first state courts order give courts initial opportunity pass constitutional attack agree first district correct finding huffman younger inapplicable since pending proceeding appellee challenged statute see wooley maynard second ambiguities statute state courts resolve absent issues state law might affect posture federal constitutional claims uniformly held individuals seeking relief need present federal constitutional claims state coming federal forum see wisconsin constantineau zwickler koota see also huffman pursue appellant also contends appeal first time district abstained regard independence state governments carrying domestic policy brief appellant citing burford sun oil unlike burford however case involve complex issues state law resolution disruptive state efforts establish coherent policy respect matter substantial public concern colorado river water conservation dist course doctrine requiring abstention merely resolution federal question may result overturning state policy appellant appealed district finding defendant class satisfied requirements rules definition class include county clerks wisconsin requirement appellant send copy judgment county clerks issues therefore us appellant claim appeal due process required prejudgment notice members defendant class judgment binding issue framed however perceive appellant personal stake outcome baker carr therefore hold appellant lacks standing raise claim appellant bound regardless concluded judgment binding effect absent members defendant class appellant asserted injured way maintenance suit defendant class action indeed appellant never filed brief district opposition defendant class despite invited see supra notice issue briefed first time appeal wisconsin attorney general took lead counsel appellant circumstances absent class members must content assert due process rights collateral attack otherwise see hansberry lee advisory committee notes amendment rule citing restatement judgments comment note event light disposition case recent revision wisconsin family code see infra question binding effect absent members may wholly academic found additional justification applying strict scrutiny fact statute discriminates basis wealth absolutely denying individuals opportunity marry lack sufficient financial resources make showing required statute citing san antonio independent school dist rodriguez counsel appellee informed us oral argument appellee married illinois time argument merits district prior judgment tr oral arg development way moots issues us first appellee individual claim unaffected since still wisconsin resident illinois marriage consequently void provisions see state mueller extraterritorial effect respect wisconsin residents second regardless current status appellee individual claim dispute statute constitutionality remains live respect members class appellee represents illinois marriage took place well class certified see franks bowman transp sosna iowa argument acting governor wisconsin signed law comprehensive revision state marriage laws effective february laws ch legis serv west revision added new section appears somewhat narrower version enactment new provision also moot inquiry constitutionality terms new section shall enforced provisions utilization procedures thereunder stayed enjoined order read somewhat unusual proviso explained us argument representative wisconsin attorney general tr oral arg new section meant serve stopgap time enforcement barred order vacate district injunction appeal go back full force effect accordingly dispute validity quite live express judgment constitutionality new section support fundamental importance marriage found decisions dealing rights access courts civil cases boddie connecticut wrote marriage involves interests basic importance society held filing fees divorce actions violated due process rights indigents unable pay fees two years later kras concluded filing fees bankruptcy actions deprive indigents due process equal protection boddie distinguished several grounds including following denial access judicial forum boddie touched directly marital relationship associational interests surround establishment dissolution relationship many occasions recognized fundamental importance interests constitution see example loving virginia wisconsin punishes fornication criminal offense whoever sexual intercourse person spouse may fined imprisoned months stat directness substantiality interference freedom marry distinguish instant case califano jobst ante jobst upheld sections social security act providing inter alia termination dependent child benefits upon marriage individual entitled benefits act opinion expressly noted rule terminating benefits upon marriage attempt interfere individual freedom make decision important marriage ante social security provisions placed direct legal obstacle path persons desiring get married notwithstanding brother rehnquist imaginative recasting case see dissenting opinion post evidence laws significantly discouraged let alone made practically impossible marriages indeed provisions deterred individual challenged statute getting married even though wife disabled see califano jobst ante see also ante availability federal benefits total payments jobsts marriage per month less jobst child benefits terminated see wisconsin legislative council notes reprinted following stat ann supp wisconsin legislative council general report see ibid although statute originally enacted provide automatic granting permission allow grant permission found good cause even absence showing support obligations met laws ch provision deleted requirement showing children become public charges added laws ch wisconsin statutory provisions civil enforcement support obligations children prior marriage include wage assignment civil contempt support obligations arising paternity actions may civilly enforced wage assignment civil contempt see also addition failure meet support obligations may result conviction felony offense abandonment minor child misdemeanor failure support minor child chief justice burger concurring join justice marshall opinion deference justice stevens opinion persuade analysis opinion significant way inconsistent unanimous holding califano jobst ante unlike intentional substantial interference right marry effected wisconsin statute issue social security act provisions challenged jobst constitute attempt interfere individual freedom make decision important marriage califano jobst ante indirect impact decision understanding join opinion today justice stewart concurring judgment join opinion hold wisconsin statute violates equal protection clause seems misconceive meaning constitutional guarantee equal protection clause deals substantive rights freedoms invidiously discriminatory classifications san antonio independent school dist rodriguez concurring opinion paradigm violation course classification race mclaughlin florida loving virginia concurring opinion like almost law wisconsin statute us affects people affect others say thereby creates classifications equal protection sense strikes little short fantasy problem case one discriminatory classifications unwarranted encroachment upon constitutionally protected freedom think wisconsin statute unconstitutional exceeds bounds permissible state regulation marriage invades sphere liberty protected due process clause fourteenth amendment agree right marry constitutional sense right accurately privilege federal system peculiarly one defined limited state law sosna iowa state may significantly interfere decisions enter marital relationship may many circumstances absolutely prohibit surely example state may legitimately say one marry sibling one marry least years old one marry without first passing examination venereal disease one marry living husband wife surely regulating intimate human relationship marriage limit beyond state may constitutionally go constitution specifically mention freedom marry settled liberty protected due process clause fourteenth amendment embraces freedoms expressly enumerated bill rights see schware board bar examiners pierce society sisters meyer nebraska cf shapiro thompson guest aptheker secretary state kent dulles truax raich decisions made clear freedom personal choice matters marriage family life one liberties protected cleveland board education lafleur roe wade loving virginia supra griswold connecticut pierce society sisters supra meyer nebraska supra see also prince massachusetts skinner oklahoma ex rel williamson evident wisconsin law us directly abridges freedom question whether state interests support abridgment overcome substantive protections constitution wisconsin law makes permission marry turn payment money support one children previous marriage liaison show kept support obligations children become wards state altogether prohibited marrying wisconsin said one marry paid fines assessed traffic violations suppose constitutional invalidity law apparent state interest certainly legitimate interest disproportionate unrelated restriction liberty imposed state invalidity law us hardly clear restriction liberty seems largely imposed abused liberty past looked one way law may seen simply collection device additional used wisconsin enforcing parental support obligations since operates denying permission marry also clearly reflects legislative judgment person permitted incur new family financial obligations fulfilled already insofar judgment paternalistic rather punitive manifests concern economic prospective marital household interests legitimate concerns state follow justify absolute deprivation benefits legal marriage several occasions held person inability pay money demanded state justify total deprivation constitutionally protected liberty boddie connecticut held state legitimate purposes collecting filing fees divorce actions insufficient due process clause deprive indigent access courts access necessary dissolve marital relationship tate short williams illinois held indigent offender term imprisonment increased liberty curtailed simply reason inability pay fine principle cases applies well wisconsin law makes allowance truly indigent state flatly denies marriage license anyone afford fulfill support obligations keep children becoming wards state may assume state legitimate interests collecting delinquent support payments reducing welfare load may also assume applied afford meet statute financial requirements choose law advances state objectives ways superior means available state fact remains people simply afford meet statute financial requirements deny people permission marry penalizes failing insofar applies indigents state law irrational means achieving objectives state directed either indigent delinquent parent law substantially rational viewed means assuring financial viability future marriages context reflects plausible judgment fulfilled financial obligations kept children welfare rolls past likely encounter similar difficulties future state legitimate concern financial soundness prospective marriages must stop short telling people may marry poor might persist financial irresponsibility invasion constitutionally protected liberty chance erroneous prediction simply great legislative judgment alien traditions offensive shared notions fairness offends due process clause fourteenth amendment ii opinion half century ago justice holmes described equal protection claim usual last resort constitutional arguments buck bell today equal protection doctrine become chief instrument invalidating state laws yet case like one doctrine substantive due process another name although purports examine bases legislative classifications compare treatment legislatively defined groups actually erects substantive limitations may thus effect decision case require wisconsin draw legislative classifications greater precision afford similar treatment similarly situated persons rather message opinion wisconsin may use control marriage achieve objectives state statute restrictions basic governmental power heart substantive due process understandably reluctant rely substantive due process see roe wade concurring opinion embrace essence doctrine guise equal protection serves purpose obfuscation ouched slogans ringing phrases equal protection doctrine shifts focus judicial inquiry away proper concerns include nature individual interest affected extent affected rationality connection legislative means purpose existence alternative means effectuating purpose degree confidence may statute reflects legislative concern purpose legitimately support means chosen williams illinois supra harlan concurring result conceal appropriate inquiry invites mechanical thoughtless application misfocused doctrine bring open forces healthy responsible recognition nature purpose extreme power wield invalidating state law name constitution invalidate pro tanto process representative democracy one sovereign union see hohfeld fundamental legal conceptions applied judicial reasoning yale see ante justice powell concurring judgment concur judgment wisconsin restrictions exclusive means creating marital bond erected stat meet applicable constitutional standards write separately majority rationale sweeps broadly area traditionally subject pervasive state regulation apparently subject state regulation directly substantially interferes decision marry traditional family setting critical examination compelling state interest analysis presumably reasonable regulations significantly interfere decisions enter marital relationship may legitimately imposed ante present however principled means distinguishing two types regulations since state regulation area typically takes form prerequisite barrier marriage divorce degree direct interference decision marry divorce unlikely provide either guidance state legislatures basis judicial oversight several occasions acknowledged importance marriage relationship maintenance values essential organized society long recognized freedom personal choice matters marriage family life one liberties protected due process clause fourteenth amendment cleveland board education lafleur decisions indicate guarantee personal privacy autonomy secured unjustifiable governmental interference due process clause extension activities relating marriage loving virginia roe wade outer limits aspect privacy marked clear among decisions individual may make without unjustified government interference personal decisions relating marriage carey population services international thus fair say right marital familial privacy places substantive limits regulatory power government yet hold regulation touching upon marriage implicates fundamental right triggering exacting judicial scrutiny principal authority cited majority loving virginia although loving speaks freedom marry one vital personal rights essential orderly pursuit happiness free men focused miscegenation statute chief justice warren stated marriage one basic civil rights man fundamental existence survival skinner oklahoma see also maynard hill deny fundamental freedom unsupportable basis racial classifications embodied statutes classifications directly subversive principle equality heart fourteenth amendment surely deprive state citizens liberty without due process law fourteenth amendment requires freedom choice marry restricted invidious racial discriminations constitution freedom marry marry person another race resides individual infringed state view analysis must start recognition domestic relations area long regarded virtually exclusive province sosna iowa marriage relation traditionally subject regulation initially ecclesiastical authorities later secular state early pennoyer neff noted state absolute right prescribe conditions upon marriage relation citizens shall created causes may dissolved state representing collective expression moral aspirations undeniable interest ensuring rules domestic relations reflect widely held values people marriage creating important relation life morals civilization people institution always subject control legislature body prescribes age parties may contract marry procedure form essential constitute marriage duties obligations creates effects upon property rights present prospective acts may constitute grounds dissolution maynard hill ii state power domestic relations without constitutional limits due process clause requires showing justification government intrudes choices concerning family living arrangements manner contrary deeply rooted traditions moore east cleveland plurality opinion cf smith organization foster families due process constraints also limit extent state may monopolize process ordering certain human relationships excluding truly indigent process boddie connecticut furthermore equal protection clause means chosen state case must bear fair substantial relation object legislation reed reed quoting royster guano virginia craig boren powell concurring wisconsin measure case pass muster either due process equal protection standards appellant identifies three objectives supposedly furthered statute question counseling function ii incentive satisfy outstanding support obligations iii deterrent incurring obligations opinion amply demonstrates asserted counseling objective bears relation statute ante discussion required collection device rationale presents somewhat difficult question agree suggestion opinion state may never condition right marry satisfaction existing support obligations simply state alternative methods compelling payments extent restriction applies persons able make required support payments simply wish shirk moral legal obligation constitution interposes bar additional collection mechanism vice inheres collection concept failure make provision without means comply obligations draw support justice harlan opinion boddie connecticut case struck filing fees divorce actions applied wholly unable pay holding state may consistent obligations imposed due process clause fourteenth amendment right dissolve legal relationship without affording citizens access means prescribed monopolization present case total wisconsin recognize foreign marriages fail conform requirements third justification obliquely advanced appellant statute preserves ability marriage applicants support prior issue preventing incurring new obligations challenged provisions grossly underinclusive respect objective given many ways additional financial obligations may incurred applicant quite apart contemplated marriage classification bear fair substantial relation object legislation craig boren supra powell concurring see eisenstadt baird cf moore east cleveland plurality opinion marriage applicant required wisconsin statute submit proof compliance support obligation also demonstrate unspecified way children likely thereafter become public charges statute simply fail alleviate consequences differences economic circumstances exist wholly apart state action griffin illinois harlan dissenting tells truly indigent whether met support obligations may marry long children public charges danger children might go public assistance future apparently jurisdiction embraced approach method reducing number children public assistance state established justification unprecedented foreclosure marriage many citizens solely indigency concur judgment although cases cited text indicate sphere privacy autonomy surrounding existing marital relationship state may lightly intrude necessarily suggest barrier justification blocks regulation conditions entry dissolution marital bond see generally henkin privacy autonomy colum rev boddie applied challenge require invalidation unconstitutional face ordinary circumstances merely require wisconsin permit members appellee class marry demonstrate bona fides indigency statute question however contain severability clause wisconsin legislature made specific provision contingency utilization procedures may stayed enjoined order event stay injunction february laws ch stat legis serv west provides permission remarry may likewise granted petitioner submits clear convincing proof reasonable cause able comply previous obligation child support dissenting opinion justice rehnquist suggests appellee may longer incapable discharging arrearage required support order contributing sufficient funds future remove child welfare rolls post basis record speculation parties entered stipulation august month appellee denied marriage license appellee unemployed indigent unable pay sum support issue app opinion dated august district noted redhail case poverty unable satisfy support obligation ordered paternity action hence state grant permission marry supp ed appellant challenged factual predicate trial determination even intimated appellee financial situation improved materially matters course may inquired local pursuant new procedures go effect february plaintiff companion case leipzig pallamolla supp ed complied support obligations denied permission marry four minor children received welfare benefits quite apart impact truly indigent statute appears confer upon judge license arbitrary procedure kent determination whether applicant children likely thereafter become public charges serious question procedural due process raised feature standardless discretion particularly light hazards prediction area justice stevens concurring judgment tension language justice marshall opinion unanimous holding califano jobst ante exposition reasons wisconsin statute offends equal protection clause fourteenth amendment necessary state allocates benefits burdens may valid reasons treating married unmarried persons differently classification based marital status accepted characteristic tax legislation selective service rules social security regulations cases like jobst demonstrate laws may significantly interfere decisions enter marital relationship ante kind interference however sufficient reason invalidating every law reflecting legislative judgment relevant differences married persons class unmarried persons class classification based marital status fundamentally different classification determines may lawfully enter marriage relationship individual interest making marriage decision independently sufficiently important merit special constitutional protection see whalen roe however interest constitutionally immune evenhanded regulation thus laws prohibiting marriage child close relative person afflicted venereal disease unchallenged even though interfere directly substantially right marry ante wisconsin statute different character statute person economic status may determine eligibility enter lawful marriage noncustodial parent whose children public charges may marry even met obligations thus within class parents fulfilled obligations rich may marry poor may type statutory discrimination believe totally unprecedented well inconsistent tradition administering justice equally rich poor statute appears reflect legislative judgment persons demonstrated inability support offspring permitted marry thereafter bring additional children world even putting one side growing number childless marriages burgeoning number children born wedlock sort reasoning justify deliberate discrimination poor statute prevents impoverished parents marrying even though intended spouses economically independent presumably wisconsin legislature assumed fathers affected legislation never marry employed women first assumption ignores fact fathers sometimes awarded custody second ignores composition today work force extent statute denies hardpressed parent opportunity prove intended marriage ease rather aggravate financial straits rests unreliable premises also defeats objectives questionable assumptions also explain statutory blunderbuss wide target another respect prohibition marriage applies noncustodial parent allows parent custody marry without state leave yet danger new children strain inadequate budget equally great custodial noncustodial parents unless one assumes mothers ever custody never marry unemployed men characteristically law fails regulate marriages parents least likely able afford another family applies parents order support children stat poorest parents unlikely objects support orders state meant prevent marriage demonstrated inability provide children overlooked obvious targets legislative concern sum provision either futile perverse insofar applies childless couples couples illegitimate children forbidden marry couples whose economic status improved marriage couples poor marriage impact welfare status children event even assuming right marry may sometimes denied economic grounds clumsy deliberate legislative discrimination rich poor irrational many ways withstand scrutiny equal protection clause fourteenth amendment jobst pointed rational congress assume marital status relevant test probable dependency explained tradition common experience support conclusion marriage event normally marks important change economic status traditionally event creates new family attendant new responsibilities also modifies relationships bride groom respective families frequently course financial independence marriage go hand hand nevertheless question validity assumption married person less likely dependent parents support one unmarried ante jobst former category loving virginia latter justice powell demonstrates constitutional defect provision invalidates entire statute ante economic aspects prospective marriage unquestionably relevant almost every individual marriage decision know state statute denies individual marriage partners right assess financial consequences decision independently seriously question whether limitation right marry may predicated economic status question need answered case tradition explains member federal judiciary sworn affirmed equal right poor rich see public charge provision falls parents faithfully met obligations unable pay enough remove children welfare rolls obviously justified state interest assuring payment child support course absurd state contend interest providing paternalistic counseling supports total ban marriage wisconsin legislature provided determining parent child shall remain shall consider facts best interest child shall prefer one parent solely basis sex parent stat plainly assumptions product habitual way thinking male female roles rather analysis actual reflection see califano goldfarb stevens concurring judgment although wisconsin precedents scarce state courts seem follow general rule orders heavily influenced parent ability pay see clark law domestic relations see also miller miller parent disabled never earn enough pay child support unlikely sued order unlikely granted cf ponath hedrick social security benefits included determining relative ability make support payments neither fact appellee interest constitutionally protected fact classification based economic status sufficient justify level scrutiny strict holding unconstitutionality virtually foreordained hand presence factors precludes holding rational expectation occasional random benefit sufficient demonstrate compliance constitutional command govern impartially see craig boren stevens concurring justice rehnquist dissenting substantially agree brother powell reasons rejecting conclusion marriage sort fundamental right must invariably trigger strictest judicial scrutiny disagree imposition intermediate standard review leads conclude statute though generally valid additional collection mechanism offends constitution failure make provision without means comply obligations ante similar reasons disagree brother stewart conclusion statute invalid failure exempt persons simply afford meet statute financial requirements ante view legislative judgment light traditional presumption validity think equal protection clause statute need pass rational basis test dandridge williams due process clause need shown bears rational relation constitutionally permissible objective williamson lee optical ferguson skrupa harlan concurring statute viewed permissible exercise state power regulate family life assure support minor children despite possible imprecision extreme cases envisioned concurring opinions earlier term traditional standard review applied califano jobst ante despite claim statute question burdened exercise right marry extreme situation considered involved permanently disabled appellee whose benefits social security act terminated marriage equally disabled woman however beneficiary act recognized congress granting original benefit reasonably assume disabled adult child remained dependent upon parents support concluded upon beneficiary marriage congress terminate benefits question validity assumption married person less likely dependent parents support one unmarried ante although assumption proved false applied individual case statute nevertheless rational broad legislative classification must judged reference characteristics typical affected classes rather focusing selected atypical examples ante analysis applied jobst equally applicable wisconsin legislature adopted rule course constructing complex social welfare system necessarily deals intimacies family life ante limited amount funds available support needy children state exceptionally strong interest securing much support parents able pay extent burden imposed statute differentiate considered jobst warrant different result case applicants statute makes proposed marriage legally impossible financial reasons similar number extreme cases social security act makes proposed marriage practically impossible reasons conclude difference justifies application heightened standard review statute question short conclude statute despite imperfections sufficiently rational satisfy demands fourteenth amendment two opinions concurring judgment seem agree statute sufficiently rational except applied truly indigent ante stewart ante powell view statute suppose constitutionally applied forbid marriages applicants willfully failed contribute much means support dependent children even agree statute based upon generally valid assumptions struck basis selected atypical examples jobst ante concur judgment showing appellee truly indigent state refuse sanction marriage rules standing litigant may assert invalidity statute applied case person statute may constitutionally applied heard challenge statute ground may conceivably applied unconstitutionally others situations broadrick oklahoma see also barrows jackson made limited exception rule cases arising first amendment allowing invalidation facially overbroad statutes guard chilling effect exercise constitutionally protected free speech see coates cincinnati claim based first amendment made appellee appellee standing contest validity statute applied must considered basis facts stipulated district state conceded without requiring proof rom may august appellee unemployed indigent unable pay sum support issue app stipulation record appellee indigent time denied marriage license september indigent time filed complaint december indigent time district rendered judgment august know recent financial condition counsel concession oral argument appellee married illinois tr oral arg clearly demonstrating knows obtain funds purpose deems sufficiently important inartfully stipulated facts said even appellee incapable discharging arrearage required support order contributing sufficient funds future remove child welfare rolls therefore even view taken opinions concurring judgment appellee shown statute unconstitutional applied conclusion statute valid despite possible application truly indigent need determine whether named appellee failure establish indigency preclude granting injunctive relief indigent members class appellee purports represent decisions demonstrated claim named representative become moot bound dismiss action may consider variety factors determining whether proceed see generally kremens bartley never explicitly determined whether similar considerations apply named representative never valid claim see allee medrano burger concurring dissenting light view merits content save question another day reverse judgment district ordinarily class representative must part class possess interest suffer injury class members east texas motor freight rodriguez quoting schlesinger reservists committee stop war least issue properly raised appellate may consider representative failure establish claim determining whether class action may maintained see donaldson pillsbury cf east texas supra instances may eliminate class persons named plaintiff may adequately represent la mar novelty loan case approach require dismissal class action altogether since appellee represent one valid claim state however inexplicably failed challenge certification plaintiff class either trial