Civil Age of Majority by State in United States
The civil age of majority is the age at which an individual is legally considered an adult and can make decisions like entering contracts, voting, and making medical decisions. This age varies across different states in the United States. Below is a list of states with their respective civil age of majority.
What is the civil age of majority in the United States?
The civil age of majority in the U.S. is the age at which a person is legally recognized as an adult in terms of their rights and responsibilities. While the majority of states set this age at 18, a few states have different requirements for reaching adulthood.
Which states have a civil age of majority of 18?
The majority of U.S. states consider individuals to be legal adults at the age of 18. These states include:
States with a civil age of majority of 18: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Which states have a civil age of majority of 19 or 21?
While most states set the civil age of majority at 18, a few have different legal ages for adulthood:
States with a civil age of majority of 19: Alabama, Nebraska.
State with a civil age of majority of 21: Maryland.
What does the civil age of majority mean for individuals?
Once an individual reaches the civil age of majority, they gain full legal rights, including the ability to vote, sign contracts, and make independent decisions regarding health care and finances. However, specific rights and responsibilities, like drinking alcohol or renting property, may still be regulated differently in each state.