"Legal age" redirects here. For other uses, see Legal age (disambiguation).
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 minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over and for them. Most countries set majority at 18. 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.
Age of majority should not be confused with the age of sexual consent, marriageable age, drinking age, driving age, voting age, etc., which all may sometimes be independent of, and set at a different age from, the age of majority.
Although a person may attain the age of majority in a particular jurisdiction, he or she may still be subject to age-based restrictions regarding matters such as the right to vote or stand for elective office, act as a judge, and many others.
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Contents
- 1 Explanation
- 2 Countries and subdivisions
- 2.1 Age 15
- 2.2 Age 16
- 2.3 Age 17
- 2.4 Age 18
- 2.5 Age 19
- 2.6 Age 20
- 2.7 Age 21
- 3 See also
- 4 Notes
- 5 References
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Explanation [edit]
Age of majority can be confused with a similar concept, the age of license,[1] which also pertains to the threshold of adulthood but in a much broader and more abstract way. As a legal term of art, "license" means "permission", and it can implicate a legally enforceable right or privilege. Thus, an age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from government to do something. The age of majority, on the other hand, is legal recognition that one has grown into an adult.[2]
Age of majority pertains solely to the acquisition of control over one's person, decisions and actions, and the correlative termination of the legal authority and responsibility of the parents (or guardian(s), in lieu of parent(s) over the child’s persons and affairs generally.
Many ages of license are correlated to the age of majority, but they are nonetheless legally distinct concepts. One need not have attained the age of majority to have permission to exercise certain rights and responsibilities. Some ages of license are actually higher than the age of majority. For example, the age of license to purchase alcoholic beverages is 21 in all U.S. states. Another example is the voting age which prior to the 1970s was 21 while the age of majority was 18 in most states. In the Republic of Ireland the age of majority is 18, but one must be over 21 years of age to stand for election to the Houses of the Oireachtas.[3] Also, in Portugal the age of majority is 18, but one must be at least 25 years of age to run for public office.[4] A child who is legally emancipated by a court of competent jurisdiction automatically attains to his or her maturity upon the signing of the court order. This is distinct from the legal process by which a child might be taken into foster care and/or made a ward of the court. Foster care and court wardship do not confer maturity upon the child so separated from his or her parents (or guardians). Only emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.
Almost all jurisdictions automatically confer emancipation (and with it, the status of majority) upon otherwise minor individuals who are married. Some do likewise for minors who are on active duty in the armed forces.[5]
Countries and subdivisions [edit]
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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2009) |
The following list the age of majority in countries (or administrative divisions) as appropriate:
Age 15 [edit]
- Indonesia (for females) [6]
- Iraq
- Iran
Age 16 [edit]
- Cuba[7][8]
- Kyrgyzstan[9]
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan[10]
Age 17 [edit]
- El Salvador (for females)[citation needed]
- North Korea[citation needed]
- Tajikistan [11]
- Gibraltar[12]
Age 18 [edit]
Age 19 [edit]
- Algeria[56]
- Botswana[37]
- Canada [27]
- British Columbia
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Yukon
- South Korea[57]
- United States
- Alabama[52]
- Nebraska (or upon marriage)[54]
Age 20 [edit]
- Japan; as of 2008[update], the age of majority in Japan was 20, but it had plans to lower it to 18.[58]
- New Zealand[59][note 1]
- Taiwan (Republic of China)
- Thailand
Age 21 [edit]
- Bahrain[12]
- Chad
- Egypt[12]
- Honduras[12]
- Kuwait
- Lesotho[12]
- Madagascar[62]
- Namibia[12]
- Singapore (Only for casino entry age, voting and marriage)
- Swaziland[12]
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Mississippi[53]
- Puerto Rico[55]
- Zambia[37]
See also [edit]
- Age of consent
- Age of criminal responsibility
- Emancipation of minors
- Legal drinking age
- Marriageable age
- Mature minor doctrine
- Secular coming of age ceremony
- Voting age
Notes [edit]
- ^ Although the age of majority in New Zealand is 20, most rights granted at the age of majority in other nations, such as emancipation from parents, marriage without parental permission, ability to enter into a binding contract, and voting are granted at 18.[60]
References [edit]
- ^ David R. Senn; Richard A. Weems (2013). Manual of Forensic Odontology. CRC Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-4398-5133-3.
- ^ Cornick (1995). A Practical Guide to Family Law. Cengage Learning. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-314-04451-8.
- ^ "At what age can I?". Dublin: Citizens Information Board (Bord um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh / BFS). Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ "CONSTITUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC".
- ^ Statutory and Judicial Emancipation of Minors in the United States, 2001–2002 analysis by law students of Northeastern University
- ^ a b "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Constitution of the Republic of Cuba 1992". Retrieved 26 August 2012..
- ^ "Culture of Cuba - traditional, history, people, clothing, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, marriage, men, life, population, religion, rituals, Cultural name". Retrieved 26 August 2012..
- ^ Interpol report on Kyrgyzstan
- ^ Interpol report on Uzbekistan law
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sexual Offences Laws – Countries. Interpol.int (2011-01-31). Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
- ^ [1] Civil Code of the Republic of Albania
- ^ "American Samoa Code Annotated § 40.0401". Asbar.org. Archived from the original on 2005-03-12. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ Interpol report on Andorra law[dead link]
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Política – El Senado aprobó la ley de la mayoría de edad a los 18 años". Telam. 1 January 1980. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Children’s Rights: Australia". U.S. Library of congress. Section: Who is a Child?.
- ^ Interpol report on Bahamas[dead link]
- ^ Interpol report on Barbados[dead link]
- ^ Interpol report on Belarus[dead link]
- ^ Interpol report on Bosnia and Herzegovina[dead link]
- ^ "clan:158" (PDF). Retrieved 29 September 2011. [dead link]
- ^ HOUSE OF KEYS OFFICIAL REPORT 123 (14). 7 March 2006. p. 694. ISSN 1742-2264. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24.
- ^ Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999
- ^ The Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001, guernseylegalresources.gg.
- ^ a b Susan Munroe. "Age of majority". About.com. Retrieved 23 September 2009. "The age of majority in Canada is determined by each province and territory in Canada."
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ Interpol report on Denmark[dead link]
- ^ Interpol report on Djibouti (in French)[dead link]
- ^ "World Law Direct, Age of Majority list". Worldlawdirect.com. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ Indian Majority Act
- ^ "Iran changes law for execution of juveniles". Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ ghanoononline.ir. ghanoononline.ir. Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Age of Majority Act, 1985". Irish Statute Book. Oireachtas. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ a b c Chigunta, Schnurr, James-Wilson and Torres (2005). "Being "Real" about Youth Entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa: Implications for Adults, Institutions and Sector Structures". International Labour Office. p. 3, Table 1.1. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ Republic Act No. 6809, 13 December 1989, Chan Robles Law library
- ^ "Age of Sexual Consent - Poland". Ageofconsent.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "The Citizens (Natural Persons)". Russian-civil-code.com. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Age of Majority in Sri Lanka". Lawnet.lk. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Human Rights Watch, ''Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan: End Juvenile Death Penalty''". Hrw.org. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation". Admin.ch. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Ukraine - Age of Consent to Sexual Activity". Ageofconsent.com. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
- ^ "Age of majority". Hmrc.gov.uk. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969". Legislation.gov.uk. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Age of Majority". Minors.uslegal.com. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Section 26-1-1 — :: Chapter 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONS. :: Title 26 – INFANTS AND INCOMPETENTS. :: 2006 Alabama Code :: Alabama Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia". Law.justia.com. 22 July 1975. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ a b Mississippi Age of Majority Law
- ^ a b "Nebraska Age of Majority Law – Age of Majority – Minors". Minors.uslegal.com. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Puerto Rico Emancipation Law". youthrights.net.
- ^ "dgsn.dz".
- ^ :::: 법률지식정보시스템 ::::. Likms.assembly.go.kr. Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
- ^ "70% oppose lowering Japan's age of majority to 18: gov't poll+". 14 September 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ Age of Majority Act 1970. Section 4.
- ^ Citizen's Advice Bureau. Legal ages and ID. 1 June 2011.
- ^ Interpol report on Azerbaijan[dead link]
- ^ Ordonnance 62-041 du 19 septembre 1962 relative aux dispositions générales de droit interne et de droit international privé