Age of majority

The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized (and recognized or declared) in law. It is the chronological moment when a child legally ceases to be considered a minor and assumes control over their persons, actions and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over and for them. The word majority here refers to having greater years and being of full age; it is opposed to minority, the state of being a minor. The law in a given jurisdiction may never actually use the term "age of majority" and the term thereby refers to a collection of laws bestowing the status of adulthood. The age of majority is a legally fixed age, concept or statutory principle, which may differ depending on the jurisdiction, and may not necessarily correspond to actual mental or physical maturity of an individual.

In practical terms, there are certain specific actions which a person who attains the age of majority is permitted to take, which they could not do before. These may include entering into a binding contract, buying stocks, voting, buying and/or consuming alcoholic beverages, driving motor vehicles on public roads, and marrying without obtaining consent of others. The ages at which these various rights or powers may be exercised vary as between the various rights and as between different jurisdictions. For example, the ages at which a person may obtain a license to drive a car or consume alcoholic beverages vary considerably between and also within jurisdictions.

Although a person may attain the age of majority in a particular jurisdiction, he or she may still be subject to age-based restrictions, such as the right to stand for elective office, act as a judge, and many other matters.


Age of majority in the United States

The legal age of majority in all but four states is 18. In Alabama and Nebraska it is 19 in Mississippi it is 21. Until a minor reaches the age of majority the parents are legally and financially responsible for them. Because of this parents of a minor can use the court and authorities to have the minor returned to their custody, relieved of their parental obligations or request the minor be placed under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and made a ward of the state. Any officer of the law or other legal authority who allows a minor to leave parental custody without there being a court order in place, can be subjected to disciplinary and civil penalties.


Age of Majority Chart

A

Alabama: 19

Alaska: 18

Arizona: 18

Arkansas: 18


C


California: 18

Colorado: 18

Connecticut: 18


D

Delaware: 18

District of Columbia: 21


F


Florida: 18


G

Georgia: 18


H

Hawaii: 18


I

Idaho: 18

Illinois: 18

Indiana: 18

Iowa: 18


K

Kansas: 18

Kentucky: 18


L

Louisiana: 18


M

Maine: 18

Maryland: 18

Massachusetts: 18

Michigan: 18

Minnesota: 18

Mississippi: 21

Missouri: 18

Montana: 18


N

Nebraska: 19

Nevada: 18

New Hampshire: 18

New Jersey: 18

New Mexico: 18

New York: 18

North Carolina: 18

North Dakota: 18


O

Ohio: 18

Oklahoma: 18

Oregon: 18


P

Pennsylvania: 18


R

Rhode Island: 18


S

South Carolina: 18

South Dakota: 18


T

Tennessee: 18

Texas: 18


U

Utah: 18


V


Vermont: 18

Virginia: 18


W


Washington: 18

West Virginia: 18

Wisconsin: 18

Wyoming: 18