Prostitution Prostitution laws in the Marshall IslandsAolepān Aorōkin Ṃajeḷ
In the Marshall Islands, the Criminal Code 2011 criminalises both sides of the transaction: engaging, or offering or agreeing to engage, in sexual conduct for something of value, and giving or agreeing to give something of value for sexual conduct, are each felonies of the third degree (up to 35 months and a $5,000 fine). Knowingly advancing or profiting from prostitution is also a third-degree felony; running or owning a house of prostitution or an enterprise with two or more sex workers, compelling a person, or involving a person under 18 is a second-degree felony (up to ten years). Premises regularly used for prostitution are a public nuisance that can be closed for up to a year.
Legal model
Selling and buying prohibited. Selling sex is an offence (criminal or administrative), whether or not buying is.
The Criminal Code 2011 makes both engaging in prostitution (§251.1) and patronising prostitution (§251.2) felonies of the third degree, and criminalises promoting prostitution, including running a house of prostitution (§§251.3-251.4).[1]
At a glance
| Question | Status | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Selling sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | A person who engages, or offers or agrees to engage, in sexual conduct with another person in return for something of value commits a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to 35 months' imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.[1] |
| Buying sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | A person who gives or agrees to give something of value to another on an understanding that someone will engage in sexual conduct with them commits the felony of patronising prostitution (third degree: up to 35 months and $5,000).[1] |
| Brothels and managed venues | Illegal Criminal offence | Advancing or profiting from prostitution by managing, supervising, controlling or owning a house of prostitution or a prostitution business involving two or more sex workers is a felony of the second degree (up to ten years and $20,000). Any room, building or structure regularly used for prostitution is a public nuisance; the court may order it closed for up to a year.[1] |
| Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping) | Illegal Criminal offence | Knowingly advancing prostitution (causing or aiding it, procuring or soliciting patrons, providing persons, permitting premises to be used) or profiting from it is a third-degree felony; doing so by criminal coercion or with a person under 18 is a second-degree felony. Convicted persons forfeit the proceeds, and a Foreign Investment Business License is revoked.[1] |
| Advertising sexual services | Illegal Criminal offence | There is no advertising-specific offence, but a sex worker's own ad is an 'offer' under §251.1, and a third party who 'procures or solicits patrons for prostitution' or 'engages in any other conduct designed to … facilitate' it advances prostitution under §251.0(1), which is a felony under §251.4. An ad platform that knowingly carries such ads could fall within that definition.[1] |
The law in detail
Selling sexual services
A person who engages, or offers or agrees to engage, in sexual conduct with another person in return for something of value commits a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to 35 months' imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.[1]
Note. Read from the Criminal Code 2011 (31 MIRC Ch. 1) as published (copy hosted by the BWC national implementation database); later amendments were not checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Buying sexual services
A person who gives or agrees to give something of value to another on an understanding that someone will engage in sexual conduct with them commits the felony of patronising prostitution (third degree: up to 35 months and $5,000).[1]
Note. Read from the Criminal Code 2011 (31 MIRC Ch. 1) as published (copy hosted by the BWC national implementation database); later amendments were not checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Brothels and managed venues
Advancing or profiting from prostitution by managing, supervising, controlling or owning a house of prostitution or a prostitution business involving two or more sex workers is a felony of the second degree (up to ten years and $20,000). Any room, building or structure regularly used for prostitution is a public nuisance; the court may order it closed for up to a year.[1]
Note. Read from the Criminal Code 2011 (31 MIRC Ch. 1) as published (copy hosted by the BWC national implementation database); later amendments were not checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping)
Knowingly advancing prostitution (causing or aiding it, procuring or soliciting patrons, providing persons, permitting premises to be used) or profiting from it is a third-degree felony; doing so by criminal coercion or with a person under 18 is a second-degree felony. Convicted persons forfeit the proceeds, and a Foreign Investment Business License is revoked.[1]
Note. Read from the Criminal Code 2011 (31 MIRC Ch. 1) as published (copy hosted by the BWC national implementation database); later amendments were not checked.
Checked 30 October 2026
Advertising sexual services
There is no advertising-specific offence, but a sex worker's own ad is an 'offer' under §251.1, and a third party who 'procures or solicits patrons for prostitution' or 'engages in any other conduct designed to … facilitate' it advances prostitution under §251.0(1), which is a felony under §251.4. An ad platform that knowingly carries such ads could fall within that definition.[1]
Confidence: low. Inference from the statutory definitions; no case law or guidance on advertising or platform liability was found, and electronic-communications laws were not reviewed.
Checked 30 October 2026
Key legislation
| Law | What it does here | In force |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Code 2011, Title 31 – Crimes and Punishments, Chapter 1 (31 MIRC Ch. 1) Criminal Code 2011 (Title 31 MIRC, Chapter 1) §§251.0-251.6 | Article 251: definitions (§251.0), engaging in prostitution (§251.1), patronising prostitution (§251.2), promoting prostitution (§§251.3-251.4), other penalties (§251.5) and prostitution houses as public nuisances (§251.6).[1] |
Sources
- Criminal Code 2011, Title 31 – Crimes and Punishments, Chapter 1 (31 MIRC Ch. 1). Republic of the Marshall Islands (copy hosted by the BWC National Implementation Measures database), 2011. legislation · accessed 30 October 2026