The age of majority is the age at which you are considered an adult and responsible for your actions in the legal sense. Up until the age of majority, you are considered a minor—a child.

This age varies​ from state to state, but in most states, the age is 18. Generally, the age of majority is designated sometime between age 18 and 21 in the U.S.

What It Is

Age of majority basically means that you are in control of yourself now. Whereas, prior to the age of majority, you were the responsibility of your parents or guardians. Age of majority terminates your parents’ or guardians’ authority over you.

What It Is Not

The age of majority is different than the age of consent. The age of consent also varies by state and is considered the age at which someone can legally consent to sexual relations.

Marriageable ages also vary ​from state to state and are not the same as the age of majority, driving age, legal drinking age, smoking age, voting age, enlisting age, and gambling age. Each of these is considered an “age of license,” and individual states or federal laws have different opinions on when these activities are legal. An age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from the government to do something, for example, when you can apply for a “marriage license” or “driver’s license.”

Emancipation Difference

A child who is legally emancipated by a court automatically, in advance of reaching the age of majority, will attain maturity upon the signing of the court order. Emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.

In almost all places, minors who are married are automatically emancipated. Some places also do the same for minors who are in the armed forces or who have a certain degree or diploma.

Age of Majority by State

Age 18 is the age of majority for most states, though the age to marry differs from state to state. Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Nebraska have higher majority ages.

State Age of Majority

Alabama 19

Alaska 18

Arizona 18

Arkansas 18

California 18

Colorado 18

Connecticut 18

Delaware 18

District of Columbia 18

Florida 18

Georgia 18

Hawaii 18

Idaho 18

Illinois 18

Indiana 18

Iowa 18

Kansas 18

Kentucky 18

Louisiana 18

Maine 18

Maryland 18

Massachusetts 18

Michigan 18

Minnesota 18

Mississippi 21

Missouri 18

Montana 18

Nebraska 19

Nevada 18

New Hampshire 18

New Jersey 18

New Mexico 18

New York 18

North Carolina 18

North Dakota 18

Ohio 18

Oklahoma 18

Oregon 18

Pennsylvania 18

Rhode Island 18

South Carolina 18

South Dakota 18

Tennessee 18

Texas 18

Utah 18

Vermont 18

Virginia 18

Washington 18

West Virginia 18

Wisconsin 18

Wyoming 18

Religious Age of Majority

Major world religions, like Islam, Judaism, and Roman Catholicism, have something to say about the age of majority. According to religious beliefs in Judaism, a male becomes an adult at age 13, and a female becomes an adult at 12. Islam claims a person who is 15 or who has entered puberty is considered an adult. And, in the Roman Catholic Church, you are considered an adult at age 18.

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The age of majority is the age at which you are considered an adult and responsible for your actions in the legal sense. Up until the age of majority, you are considered a minor—a child.

This age varies​ from state to state, but in most states, the age is 18. Generally, the age of majority is designated sometime between age 18 and 21 in the U.S.

What It Is

Age of majority basically means that you are in control of yourself now. Whereas, prior to the age of majority, you were the responsibility of your parents or guardians. Age of majority terminates your parents’ or guardians’ authority over you.

What It Is Not

The age of majority is different than the age of consent. The age of consent also varies by state and is considered the age at which someone can legally consent to sexual relations.

Marriageable ages also vary ​from state to state and are not the same as the age of majority, driving age, legal drinking age, smoking age, voting age, enlisting age, and gambling age. Each of these is considered an “age of license,” and individual states or federal laws have different opinions on when these activities are legal. An age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from the government to do something, for example, when you can apply for a “marriage license” or “driver’s license.”

Emancipation Difference

A child who is legally emancipated by a court automatically, in advance of reaching the age of majority, will attain maturity upon the signing of the court order. Emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.

In almost all places, minors who are married are automatically emancipated. Some places also do the same for minors who are in the armed forces or who have a certain degree or diploma.

Age of Majority by State

Age 18 is the age of majority for most states, though the age to marry differs from state to state. Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Nebraska have higher majority ages.

State Age of Majority

Alabama 19

Alaska 18

Arizona 18

Arkansas 18

California 18

Colorado 18

Connecticut 18

Delaware 18

District of Columbia 18

Florida 18

Georgia 18

Hawaii 18

Idaho 18

Illinois 18

Indiana 18

Iowa 18

Kansas 18

Kentucky 18

Louisiana 18

Maine 18

Maryland 18

Massachusetts 18

Michigan 18

Minnesota 18

Mississippi 21

Missouri 18

Montana 18

Nebraska 19

Nevada 18

New Hampshire 18

New Jersey 18

New Mexico 18

New York 18

North Carolina 18

North Dakota 18

Ohio 18

Oklahoma 18

Oregon 18

Pennsylvania 18

Rhode Island 18

South Carolina 18

South Dakota 18

Tennessee 18

Texas 18

Utah 18

Vermont 18

Virginia 18

Washington 18

West Virginia 18

Wisconsin 18

Wyoming 18

Religious Age of Majority

Major world religions, like Islam, Judaism, and Roman Catholicism, have something to say about the age of majority. According to religious beliefs in Judaism, a male becomes an adult at age 13, and a female becomes an adult at 12. Islam claims a person who is 15 or who has entered puberty is considered an adult. And, in the Roman Catholic Church, you are considered an adult at age 18.

Learn Whether or Not Adopted Siblings Can Get Married

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What is Proof of Paternity?

New York Divorce State Laws

How to Prove Child Abuse in Family Court

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

5 Examples of What Not To Do During a Legal Separation

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

5 Examples of What Not To Do During a Legal Separation

Kentucky Divorce Laws

What is a divorce?

10 Surprising Facts About Grandparents Today

5 Examples of A Fair Divorce Settlements

Italian Name for Grandmother

Cohabiting Seniors

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

The age of majority is the age at which you are considered an adult and responsible for your actions in the legal sense. Up until the age of majority, you are considered a minor—a child.

This age varies​ from state to state, but in most states, the age is 18. Generally, the age of majority is designated sometime between age 18 and 21 in the U.S.

What It Is

Age of majority basically means that you are in control of yourself now. Whereas, prior to the age of majority, you were the responsibility of your parents or guardians. Age of majority terminates your parents’ or guardians’ authority over you.

What It Is Not

The age of majority is different than the age of consent. The age of consent also varies by state and is considered the age at which someone can legally consent to sexual relations.

Marriageable ages also vary ​from state to state and are not the same as the age of majority, driving age, legal drinking age, smoking age, voting age, enlisting age, and gambling age. Each of these is considered an “age of license,” and individual states or federal laws have different opinions on when these activities are legal. An age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from the government to do something, for example, when you can apply for a “marriage license” or “driver’s license.”

Emancipation Difference

A child who is legally emancipated by a court automatically, in advance of reaching the age of majority, will attain maturity upon the signing of the court order. Emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.

In almost all places, minors who are married are automatically emancipated. Some places also do the same for minors who are in the armed forces or who have a certain degree or diploma.

Age of Majority by State

Age 18 is the age of majority for most states, though the age to marry differs from state to state. Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Nebraska have higher majority ages.

State Age of Majority

Alabama 19

Alaska 18

Arizona 18

Arkansas 18

California 18

Colorado 18

Connecticut 18

Delaware 18

District of Columbia 18

Florida 18

Georgia 18

Hawaii 18

Idaho 18

Illinois 18

Indiana 18

Iowa 18

Kansas 18

Kentucky 18

Louisiana 18

Maine 18

Maryland 18

Massachusetts 18

Michigan 18

Minnesota 18

Mississippi 21

Missouri 18

Montana 18

Nebraska 19

Nevada 18

New Hampshire 18

New Jersey 18

New Mexico 18

New York 18

North Carolina 18

North Dakota 18

Ohio 18

Oklahoma 18

Oregon 18

Pennsylvania 18

Rhode Island 18

South Carolina 18

South Dakota 18

Tennessee 18

Texas 18

Utah 18

Vermont 18

Virginia 18

Washington 18

West Virginia 18

Wisconsin 18

Wyoming 18

Religious Age of Majority

Major world religions, like Islam, Judaism, and Roman Catholicism, have something to say about the age of majority. According to religious beliefs in Judaism, a male becomes an adult at age 13, and a female becomes an adult at 12. Islam claims a person who is 15 or who has entered puberty is considered an adult. And, in the Roman Catholic Church, you are considered an adult at age 18.

The age of majority is the age at which you are considered an adult and responsible for your actions in the legal sense. Up until the age of majority, you are considered a minor—a child.

This age varies​ from state to state, but in most states, the age is 18. Generally, the age of majority is designated sometime between age 18 and 21 in the U.S.

What It Is

Age of majority basically means that you are in control of yourself now. Whereas, prior to the age of majority, you were the responsibility of your parents or guardians. Age of majority terminates your parents’ or guardians’ authority over you.

What It Is Not

The age of majority is different than the age of consent. The age of consent also varies by state and is considered the age at which someone can legally consent to sexual relations.

Marriageable ages also vary ​from state to state and are not the same as the age of majority, driving age, legal drinking age, smoking age, voting age, enlisting age, and gambling age. Each of these is considered an “age of license,” and individual states or federal laws have different opinions on when these activities are legal. An age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from the government to do something, for example, when you can apply for a “marriage license” or “driver’s license.”

Emancipation Difference

A child who is legally emancipated by a court automatically, in advance of reaching the age of majority, will attain maturity upon the signing of the court order. Emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.

In almost all places, minors who are married are automatically emancipated. Some places also do the same for minors who are in the armed forces or who have a certain degree or diploma.

Age of Majority by State

Age 18 is the age of majority for most states, though the age to marry differs from state to state. Only Alabama, Mississippi, and Nebraska have higher majority ages.

State Age of Majority

Alabama 19

Alaska 18

Arizona 18

Arkansas 18

California 18

Colorado 18

Connecticut 18

Delaware 18

District of Columbia 18

Florida 18

Georgia 18

Hawaii 18

Idaho 18

Illinois 18

Indiana 18

Iowa 18

Kansas 18

Kentucky 18

Louisiana 18

Maine 18

Maryland 18

Massachusetts 18

Michigan 18

Minnesota 18

Mississippi 21

Missouri 18

Montana 18

Nebraska 19

Nevada 18

New Hampshire 18

New Jersey 18

New Mexico 18

New York 18

North Carolina 18

North Dakota 18

Ohio 18

Oklahoma 18

Oregon 18

Pennsylvania 18

Rhode Island 18

South Carolina 18

South Dakota 18

Tennessee 18

Texas 18

Utah 18

Vermont 18

Virginia 18

Washington 18

West Virginia 18

Wisconsin 18

Wyoming 18

Religious Age of Majority

Major world religions, like Islam, Judaism, and Roman Catholicism, have something to say about the age of majority. According to religious beliefs in Judaism, a male becomes an adult at age 13, and a female becomes an adult at 12. Islam claims a person who is 15 or who has entered puberty is considered an adult. And, in the Roman Catholic Church, you are considered an adult at age 18.

Religious Age of Majority

Major world religions, like Islam, Judaism, and Roman Catholicism, have something to say about the age of majority. According to religious beliefs in Judaism, a male becomes an adult at age 13, and a female becomes an adult at 12. Islam claims a person who is 15 or who has entered puberty is considered an adult. And, in the Roman Catholic Church, you are considered an adult at age 18.

  • Learn Whether or Not Adopted Siblings Can Get Married

  • A Brief Overview Civil Annulment Laws

  • Lower Your Odds for Divorce

  • What is Proof of Paternity?

  • New York Divorce State Laws

  • How to Prove Child Abuse in Family Court

  • 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

  • 5 Examples of What Not To Do During a Legal Separation

  • 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

  • 5 Examples of What Not To Do During a Legal Separation

  • Kentucky Divorce Laws

  • What is a divorce?

  • 10 Surprising Facts About Grandparents Today

  • 5 Examples of A Fair Divorce Settlements

  • Italian Name for Grandmother

  • Cohabiting Seniors

Learn Whether or Not Adopted Siblings Can Get Married

Learn Whether or Not Adopted Siblings Can Get Married

A Brief Overview Civil Annulment Laws

A Brief Overview Civil Annulment Laws

Lower Your Odds for Divorce

Lower Your Odds for Divorce

What is Proof of Paternity?

What is Proof of Paternity?

New York Divorce State Laws

New York Divorce State Laws

How to Prove Child Abuse in Family Court

How to Prove Child Abuse in Family Court

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce

5 Examples of What Not To Do During a Legal Separation

5 Examples of What Not To Do During a Legal Separation

Kentucky Divorce Laws

Kentucky Divorce Laws

What is a divorce?

What is a divorce?

10 Surprising Facts About Grandparents Today

10 Surprising Facts About Grandparents Today

5 Examples of A Fair Divorce Settlements

5 Examples of A Fair Divorce Settlements

Italian Name for Grandmother

Italian Name for Grandmother

Cohabiting Seniors

Cohabiting Seniors

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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

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When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies