Age of Majority Laws by State

It is the age at which state law treats a person as an adult. At that age a person can generally enter contracts, consent to their own medical care and handle legal matters without a parent or guardian.

No. Each state sets its own age of majority by statute. Some states also have rules that extend certain parental duties, such as child support, past that age in specific situations like finishing high school.

Emancipation is a legal status that gives a minor some or all of the rights of an adult before the age of majority. It can come from a court order under a state statute, or in some states from events such as marriage or active military service.

Emancipation often ends a parent's duty to support the child, because the minor is treated as self-supporting. The exact effect depends on the state statute and on the terms of the court order.

Contracts signed by minors are often voidable, which means the minor can choose to cancel them. Exceptions can apply, for example for necessities or for minors who have been emancipated.

Among the 51 jurisdictions with a single statewide figure, age of majority ranges from age 18 (Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado and Connecticut and others) to age 21 (Mississippi). The most common figure is age 18 (48 jurisdictions). Check each state's page for exceptions.

Of the 35 jurisdictions we checked, the answer is yes in 29 jurisdictions, in some cases in 4, no in 2. Yes: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. In some cases: Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

Among the 28 jurisdictions with a single statewide figure, minimum age to petition ranges from age 14 (California) to age 18 (Alabama). The most common figure is age 16 (25 jurisdictions). Check each state's page for exceptions.