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Age of Majority and Emancipation in Virginia

In Virginia, a person becomes an adult at 18, and a minor who has reached 16 may petition the juvenile and domestic relations district court for emancipation.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Virginia at a glance

Age of majority
18
Emancipation by court petition
Yes
Minimum age to petition
16
A parent or guardian of the minor may also file the petition.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Virginia

What is the age of majority in Virginia?

Age of majority in Virginia: 18.

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

Yes. Emancipation by court petition in Virginia: yes.

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

Minimum age to petition in Virginia: 16. A parent or guardian of the minor may also file the petition.

Where do the Virginia age of majority laws come from?

The rules above come from Va. Code 1-204 and Va. Code 16.1-331. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

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.