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Age of Majority and Emancipation in Utah

In Utah, the age of majority is 18 (minors also reach majority by marriage), and a minor 16 or older may petition the juvenile court for emancipation.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Utah at a glance

Age of majority
18
All minors obtain their majority by marriage.
Emancipation by court petition
Yes
Minimum age to petition
16

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Utah

What is the age of majority in Utah?

Age of majority in Utah: 18. All minors obtain their majority by marriage.

Does Utah have a statute that lets a minor petition a court for emancipation?

Yes. Emancipation by court petition in Utah: yes.

How old must a minor be to petition for emancipation in Utah?

Minimum age to petition in Utah: 16.

Where do the Utah age of majority laws come from?

The rules above come from Utah Code 15-2-1, Utah Code 80-7-102 and Utah Code 80-7-103. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The petition must state that the minor can live independently of parents or guardian and manage their own financial affairs (Utah Code 80-7-103).

What this means in practice

The age of majority is not the same as every age limit in the law. Separate rules can set the age for drinking alcohol, buying tobacco, making a will, marrying without consent or ending child support, so check the specific rule that applies to the question you have.

Emancipation usually requires a court petition and proof that the minor can support and manage themselves. A court order may grant full adult status or only specific rights, and it can end a parent's duty of support. Read the order and the statute together to see exactly what changes.

Documents signed for a minor, such as a medical consent form or a power of attorney for a child, generally stop being needed once the child reaches the age of majority. Contracts signed by a minor may be voidable, so adults dealing with minors often ask a parent or guardian to sign as well.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.