age of majority

{{short description|Threshold of adulthood as it pertains to law}}

The age of majority is the threshold of legal adulthood as recognized or declared in law.{{Cite web |title=age of majority |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |publisher=Cornell University |place=Ithaca, NY |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/age_of_majority |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en}} It is the moment when a person ceases to be considered a minor, and assumes legal control over their person, actions, and decisions, thus terminating the control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over them.

Most countries set the age of majority at 18, but some jurisdictions have a higher age and others lower. The word majority here refers to having greater years and being of full age as opposed to minority, the state of being a minor. The law in a given jurisdiction may not actually use the term "age of majority". The term refers to a collection of laws bestowing the status of adulthood.

Explanation

The term age of majority can be confused with the similar concept of the age of license.{{cite book |last1=Senn |first1=David R. |last2=Weems |first2=Richard A. |date=22 January 2013 |title=Manual of Forensic Odontology |edition=5th |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4398-5133-3 |page=212 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c9u0MUnexdIC&pg=PA212 }} As a legal term, "license" means "permission", referring to a legally enforceable right or privilege. Thus, an age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from a given government to participate in certain activities or rituals. The age of majority, on the other hand, is a legal recognition that one has become an adult.

Many ages of license coincide with the age of majority to recognize the transition to legal adulthood, 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 may be higher, lower, or match the age of majority.

For example, to purchase alcoholic beverages, the age of license is 21 in all U.S. states. Another example is the voting age, which prior to 1971 was 21 in the US, as was the age of majority in all or most states. After the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, the age of majority was lowered to 18 in most states. In most US states, one may obtain a driver's license, consent to sexual activity, and gain full-time employment at age 16 even though the age of majority is 18 in most states.{{cite web |title=When you turn 18: A survival guide for teenagers |year=2011 |website=The State Bar of California (calbar.ca.gov) |url=http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/publications/Turn-18.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325180846/http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/publications/Turn-18.pdf |archive-date=March 25, 2019}} In the Republic of Ireland the age of majority is 18, but one must be 21 or over to stand for election to the Houses of the Oireachtas.{{cite web |title=At what age can I? |website=Citizens Information Board (Bord um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh / BFS) |url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/reference/checklists/checklist_at_what_age_can_i.html |access-date=12 January 2011 |location=Dublin, IE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228220852/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/reference/checklists/checklist_at_what_age_can_i.html |archive-date=28 December 2010}} Also, in Portugal the age of majority is 18, and citizens who have reached that age are also eligible to run for Parliament,{{Cite web |author=Comissão Nacional de Eleições (Portugal) |title=Perguntas Frequentes: Candidatura |url=http://www.cne.pt/faq2/96/3 |access-date=31 January 2018}} but they need to be 35 or over in order to run for President.{{cite web |title=Constitution of the Portuguese Republic |series=Seventh Revision |year=2005 |url=http://app.parlamento.pt/site_antigo/ingles/cons_leg/Constitution_VII_revisao_definitive.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022091934/http://app.parlamento.pt/site_antigo/ingles/cons_leg/Constitution_VII_revisao_definitive.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2014}}

A child who is legally emancipated by a court of competent jurisdiction automatically attains to their maturity upon the signing of the court order. Only emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority. In almost all places, minors who marry 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.{{cite web |first=Bethany |last=Stasiak |year=2002 |title=Statutory and Judicial Emancipation of Minors in the United States |website=Northeastern University School of Law |url=http://www.bostoncoop.net/lcd/emancipation/emancipation_deliverable.pdf }}

Minors who are emancipated may be able to choose where they live, sign contracts, and have control over their financial and medical decisions and generally make decisions free from parental control but are not exempt from age requirements set forth in law for other rights. For example, a minor can emancipate at 16 in the US (or younger depending on the state) but must still wait until 18 to vote or buy a firearm, and 21 to buy alcohol or tobacco.

The Jewish Talmud says that every judgment Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah {{nobr|({{circa|640}}–609 {{sc|BCE}}),}} issued from his coronation until the age of eighteen was reversed and he returned the money to the parties whom he judged liable, due to concern that in his youth he may not have judged the cases correctly.{{cite web |title=Shabbat 56: The William Davidson Talmud |website=Sefaria |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.56b }} Other Jewish commentators have discussed whether age 13 or 18 is the age to make decisions in a Jewish Court.{{cite news |editor-first=Ben-Zion |editor-last=Rand |date=1 May 2020 |title=Eighteen and older only |newspaper=Daf Yomi Digest |number=119 |url=https://www.dafdigest.org/masechtos/Shabbos/Shabbos%20056.pdf }}

Roman law did not have an age of majority in the modern sense, as individuals remained under the authority of the Pater familias until his death. The age of adulthood was set at 12 for girls and 14 for boys, with boys gaining rights such as marriage, military service, and any legal capacity that depended on age only, including, until the introduction of the Lex Villia, the ability to be eligible for public office.{{Cite web |title=Article by George Long, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College on pp374‑376 of William Smith, D.C.L., LL.D.: A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875. |url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Curator.html}}

The Lex Plaetoria allowed those under 25 to contest disadvantageous agreements in case of fraud, later extending to other circumstances, and the other party might escape repercussions only if a curator was involved. To enter a contract, individuals in this age group could request the praetor for such a curator, thus ensuring protection for both sides: this shielded the other contracting party from legal risk and allowed transactions to proceed, as no prudent person would engage without this safeguard. Unlike with a tutor, the requester retained full legal capacity to act, and the role of the curator was merely to prevent fraud. Later, under Marcus Aurelius, their appointment became mandatory. Someone under 25 who wanted to enter a contract had to request a curator, and could propose a candidate, which the praetor could reject. The curator's control over property became closer to that of a tutor, but it was only applied to the properties that the praetor assigned to him, not those acquired by the requester after his appointment.

Over time, there was a gradual evolution, initially focusing on property laws (while other legal matters, such as marriage and wills, continued to have separate age thresholds), eventually arriving at the modern concept of age of majority, commonly set at 18.

Since 2015, some countries have lowered the voting age to 16.{{Cite web |title=Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act |year=2013 |department=(repealed) |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2013/13/contents }}{{cite web |title=Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act |year=2015 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2015/7 }} Some countries, like England and Wales, are even considering lowering the age of majority to 16,{{Cite web |last=Natasha |date=2021-11-12 |title=Family Justice Council looks at lowering the age of majority in upcoming debate |website=Researching Reform |url=https://researchingreform.net/2021/11/12/family-justice-council-looks-at-lowering-the-age-of-majority-in-upcoming-debate/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |language=en}} similar to how it already is in Cuba and Scotland. The main argument for lowering is that, on average, young people are much more educated (both because of better individual educational outcomes and being raised by more educated parents) than in the past (the same argument was made in the 1970s when most countries lowered the age of majority from 21 to 18, which remains the age used for most countries, including the United States).{{cite journal |last1=Zajacova |first1=Anna |last2=Lawrence |first2=Elizabeth M. |date=January 12, 2018 |title=The relationship between education and health: Reducing disparities through a contextual approach |journal=Annual Review of Public Health |volume=39 |pages=273–289 |doi=10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044628 |pmid=29328865 |pmc=5880718 }}{{Cite web |date=2021-04-23 |title=The 26th Amendment |url=https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/the-26th-amendment?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=HISTORY |language=en}} Related to newer generations being more educated and being ready for life earlier: compared to the past, information is much more easily accessible as a result of the spread of the Internet, which can be accessed through both the personal computer and the smartphone.

A person reaches the age of majority at midnight at the beginning of the day of that person's relevant birthday; under English common law this was not always the case.{{Cite web |last=Chambers |first=Wilberforce |date=January 7, 2020 |title=Some Oddities of the Law on Age: So You Thought You Reached Age 21 on Your 21st Birthday? |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9a48d1d7-d0d4-47de-a1f9-ad7b265ec416 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |website=Lexology}}{{better source needed|reason=Given the complications of common law discussed in the article, it is unclear if the midnight rule is of universal application.|date=June 2023}}

Civil law

File:Coming of Age Day Ceremony.jpg in Japan. The ceremony still targets age 20, even though age of majority was decreased from 20 to 18.]]

In many countries minors can be emancipated: depending on jurisdiction, this may happen through acts such as marriage, attaining economic self-sufficiency, obtaining an educational degree or diploma, or participating in a form of military service. In the United States, all states have some form of emancipation of minors.{{Cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/emancipation_of_minors |title=Emancipation of minors |first=Sahra |last=Nizipli |date=March 2020 |website=Legal Information Institute}}

The age of majority in countries (or administrative divisions) in the order of lowest to highest:

=Age 15=

Indonesia{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/indonesia/ |title=Indonesia |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Yemen{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/yemen/ |title=Yemen |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}{{div col end}}

=Age 16=

Cambodia{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/cambodia/ |title=Cambodia |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Cuba{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/cuba/ |title=Cuba |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Myanmar{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/myanmar/ |title=Myanmar |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
United Kingdom
Scotland{{cite web | url=http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2017/mapping-minimum-age-requirements/age-majority#:~:text=The%20age%20of%20majority%20is%2018%20years%20in%20all%20EU,child%20gains%20full%20legal%20capacity. | title=Age of majority | date=12 November 2017 }}{{efn|group=note|Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991|name=}}
Vietnam{{cite news |url=http://www.thanhniennews.com/education-youth/vietnamese-lawmakers-vote-to-keep-age-of-majority-at-16-60924.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406205544/http://www.thanhniennews.com/education-youth/vietnamese-lawmakers-vote-to-keep-age-of-majority-at-16-60924.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2016 |title=Vietnamese lawmakers vote to keep age of majority at 16 |date=5 April 2016 |newspaper=Thanh Niên}}

=Age 17=

North Korea{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/north-korea/ |title=North Korea |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Timor-Leste{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/timor-leste/ |title=Timor-Leste |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}

=Age 18=

Afghanistan
Albania{{cite web |url=http://ligjet.info/kodicivil/pjesa_i/titulli_i/kreu_i/c._zot%C3%ABsia |title=Ligjet e Republikes se Shqiperise |trans-title=Civil Code of the Republic of Albania |website=ligjet.info |language=sq |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312021930/http://ligjet.info/kodicivil/pjesa_i/titulli_i/kreu_i/c._zot%C3%ABsia |archive-date=12 March 2014}}
Andorra{{Cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaAndorra.pdf |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children |language=fr |website=Arquivo.pt |access-date=29 February 2008 |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20080229151915/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaAndorra.pdf |archive-date=29 February 2008 |url-status=dead}}
Antigua and Barbuda{{Cite web |url=http://laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-11.pdf |title=Age of Majority (CAP. 11) |website=Laws of Antigua and Barbuda |access-date=5 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820071616/http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-11.pdf |archive-date=20 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}
Argentina{{cite book |url=http://www.saij.gob.ar/docs-f/codigo/Codigo_Civil_y_Comercial_de_la_Nacion.pdf |title=Código Civil y Comercial de la Nación |edition=2nd |date=July 2016 |language=es |isbn=978-987-3720-13-0|last1=Roble |first1=María Rosa |publisher=D – Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos de la Nación }}{{efn|group=note|Article 25. Minor and adolescent: minor is the person who has not turned eighteen. This Code refers to the adolescent as the minor who turned thirteen years of age.|name=}}
Angola{{cite web |url=http://biblioteka.sejm.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Angola_ang_010116.pdf |title=Constitution of the Republic of Angola |date=21 January 2010 |website=Biblioteka Sejmowa}}{{efn|group=note|Article 24. The age of majority shall be 18.|name=}}
Armenia
Australia{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/child-rights/australia.php |at=Section: Who is a Child? |title=Children's Rights: Australia |website=U.S. Library of Congress}}
Austria{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/library/Austria_2001_Civil_Code_Excerpt.pdf |title=Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch |trans-title=General Civil Code |date=2001 |website=Youth Policy |language=de}}
Azerbaijan
Bahamas{{Cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaBahamas.asp |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Bahamas |date=2010 |website=Interpol |access-date=9 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031029/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaBahamas.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}
Bahrain{{Cite web |url=https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/sites/humanrightscommission.house.gov/files/documents/313615_BAHRAIN-2021-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf |title = Bahrain 2021 Human Rights Report |work=Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission}}
Bangladesh
Barbados{{Cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBarbados.asp |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Barbados |date=2010 |website=Interpol |access-date=27 September 2001 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20010927025050/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBarbados.asp |archive-date=27 September 2001 |url-status=dead}}
Belarus{{Cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaBelarus.asp |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Belarus |date=2010 |website=Interpol |access-date=9 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031309/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaBelarus.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}
Belgium{{cite web |title=Code Civil: Livre I, Titre XI, Article 488 De la majorité |url=https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/loi_a1.pl?language=fr&la=F&cn=1804032130&table_name=loi&&caller=list&F&fromtab=loi&tri=dd+AS+RANK&rech=1&numero=1&sql=(text+contains+(%27%27))#LNK0155 |website=Index législatif |date=19 January 1990 |access-date=17 October 2020 }} (see Minimum legal ages in Belgium)
Belize{{cite web |title=Belize: Minimum age at which an individual is legally entitled to vote; consume alcohol; engage in sexual activity; obtain a passport without parental consent; leave the country without parental consent; contract marriage without parental consent; age at which individuals become eligible for conscription; punishment for statutory rape (1997–2000) |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be1420.html |website=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |access-date=14 June 2018 |language=en |date=20 March 2002}}
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina{{Cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBosniaHerzegovina.asp |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Bosnia and Herzegovina |date=2010 |website=Interpol |access-date=9 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031326/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBosniaHerzegovina.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}
Botswana
Brazil{{efn|group=note|name=nbrazil|Those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating college or for being economically independent.}}
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Canada{{cite book |url=http://cdn.loc.gov/service/ll/llglrd/2018298966/2018298966.pdf |chapter=Canada |title=Children's Rights |first=Stephen |last=Clarke |date=August 2007 |publisher=The Law Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=51–60}}
Alberta
Manitoba
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chile
China{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/law/help/child-rights/china.php#f74 |title=Children's Rights: China |website=Library of Congress |access-date=2013-11-18}}
Mainland China
Hong Kong{{cite web |url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap410 |title=Age of Majority (Related Provisions) Ordinance |date=1 October 1990 |website=Hong Kong e-Legislation}}
Macau
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic{{cite web |url=http://obcanskyzakonik.justice.cz/images/pdf/Civil-Code.pdf |title=The New Civil Code of the Czech Republic: Book One, Title I, Chapter 1, Section 30: Age of majority |date=3 February 2012 |website=Ministry of Justice}}{{efn|group=note|§30 Majority. An individual acquires full legal capacity upon reaching the age of majority. The age of majority is reached upon reaching eighteen years of age. Before reaching the age of majority, full legal capacity is acquired by being granted legal capacity or by entering into marriage. Legal capacity acquired by entering into marriage is not terminated upon termination or invalidation of marriage.|name=}}
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark (incl. Faroe Islands and Greenland){{Cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaDenmark.asp |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Denmark |date=2010 |website=Interpol |access-date=16 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031515/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaDenmark.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}
Djibouti{{cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaDjibouti.asp |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Djibouti |date=2010 |website=Interpol |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031546/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLawsold/csaDjibouti.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011}}
Dominica
Dominican Republic{{cite journal |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/library/wp-content/uploads/library/2003_Code_Protection_Rights_Children_Adolescents_Spa.pdf |title=Ley No. 136-03: Código para la protección de los derechos de los Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes |trans-title=Law No. 136-03: Code for the protection of the rights of Boys, Girls and Adolescents |date=7 August 2003 |journal=Gaceta Oficial de República Dominicana |language=es |via=Youth Policy}}
Ecuador
Egypt{{cite web |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/120441/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-cabinet-approves-amendment-to-lower-age-o.aspx |title=Egyptian cabinet approves amendment to lower age of legal adulthood to 18 |date=15 January 2015 |website=Ahram Online}}
El Salvador{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/1999/386.htm |title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: El Salvador |date=23 February 2000 |website=U.S. Department of State |access-date=1 June 2017}}
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland{{cite web |url=https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaFinland.pdf |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Finland |date=2006 |website=Interpol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821232935/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaFinland.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2007}}
France{{cite web |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?idArticle=LEGIARTI000006427142&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000006136228&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070721&dateTexte=20131204 |title=Code Civil: Livre Ier, Titre X, Article 388 De la minorité |date=4 December 2013 |website=Legifrance |language=fr}}{{efn|group=note|A minor is an individual of either sex who is not yet eighteen years old.|name=}}
Gambia
Germany§ 2 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch(BGB).
Georgia
Ghana
Greece{{cite web |url=http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/site/kodikes/%CE%95%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF/%CE%91%CE%A3%CE%A4%CE%99%CE%9A%CE%9F%CE%A3%CE%9A%CE%A9%CE%94%CE%99%CE%9A%CE%91%CE%A3/tabid/225/language/el-GR/Default.aspx |title=Greek Civil Code |website=Ministry of Justice |language=el |access-date=9 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013235031/http://www.ministryofjustice.gr/site/kodikes/%CE%95%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF/%CE%91%CE%A3%CE%A4%CE%99%CE%9A%CE%9F%CE%A3%CE%9A%CE%A9%CE%94%CE%99%CE%9A%CE%91%CE%A3/tabid/225/language/el-GR/Default.aspx |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau{{cite web |url=http://www.fosigrid.org/africa/guinea-bissau |title=Guinea-Bissau Country Profile |website=Family Online Safety Institute Global Resource & Information Directory |access-date=2014-12-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108095705/http://www.fosigrid.org/africa/guinea-bissau |archive-date=8 January 2016}}
Guyana
Haiti
Hungary
Iceland
India{{cite web |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/80664820/ |title=The Indian Majority Act, 1875 |website=Indian Kanoon}}
Iran{{cite web|title=Iran|type=country fact sheet|url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/iran/|work=Youth Policy}}{{efn|group=note|name=Iran|The age of majority is 15 Islamic lunar years for boys, and nine lunar years for girls.}}
Iraq{{cite journal |url=http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/transnational/vol16_1/stigall.pdf |title=Iraqi Civil Law: Its Sources, Substance, and Sundering |first=Dan E. |last=Stigall |date=2006 |journal=Journal of Transnational Law & Policy |volume=16 |issue=1 |location=Tallahassee, Florida |publisher=Florida State University College of Law |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610230907/http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/transnational/vol16_1/Stigall.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2014}}{{efn|group=note|name=note02|Iraq's Civil Code defines the age of majority as 18. However, due to the Iraqi constitution and existing national instability, Note 1 (above) may apply as courts may choose between Shari'ah law and the Civil Code.}}
Ireland{{cite book |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1985/en/act/pub/0002/print.html |title=Age of Majority Act, 1985|publisher=Oireachtas |access-date=3 August 2010}} Irish Statute Book
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan{{cite news |last=Jozuka |first=Emiko |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/asia/japan-age-adulthood-bill/index.html |title=Japan lowers its age of adulthood to 18 |date=15 June 2018 |access-date=2019-09-14}}
Jordan
Kazakhstan{{cite web |url=https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=1006061 |title=Гражданский кодекс Республики Казахстан (Общая часть), принят Верховным Советом Республики Казахстан 27 декабря 1994 года (с изменениями и дополнениями по состоянию на 02.04.2019 г.) |website=Информационная система ПАРАГРАФ |access-date=30 April 2019 |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328152848/https://online.zakon.kz/document/?doc_id=1006061 |archive-date=28 March 2020 |url-status=dead}}
Kenya{{cite web |url=http://biblioteka.sejm.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Kenia_ang_010117.pdf |title=The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 |website=Biblioteka Sejmowa}}{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/library/1974_Kenya_Age_of_Majority_Act_Eng.pdf |title=Republic of Kenya Age of Majority Act, 1977 [Revised 2012] |website=Youth Policy}}{{efn|group=note|Constitution of Kenya. Article 260. "Adult" means an individual who has attained the age of eighteen years, "child" means an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years. Age of Majority Act, 1977. Section 2 Age of majority. A person shall be of full age and cease to be under any disability by reason of age on attaining the age of eighteen years.|name=}}
Kosovo{{cite web |url=https://mapl.rks-gov.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/1.CONSTITUTION_OF_THE_REPUBLIC_OF_KOSOVO.pdf |title=Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo |website=Kosovar ministry of local administration |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}{{efn|group=note|Constitution of Kosovo. Articles 45 and 71. Every citizen who is 18 years old or older can vote (article 45) and is eligible to become a candidate (article 71) for the Assembly of Kosovo|name=}}
Kyrgyzstan{{cite web |title=Кыргыз Республикасынын Жарандык Кодекси |url=http://minjust.gov.kg/ky/content/314 |website=minjust.gov.kg |publisher=Кыргыз Республикасынын Юстиция министрлигине |access-date=12 February 2023}}
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi{{cite web |last1=Chigunta |first1=Francis |last2=Schnurr |first2=Jamie |last3=James-Wilson |first3=David |last4=Torres |first4=Veronica |title=Being "Real" about Youth Entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa: Implications for Adults, Institutions and Sector Structures |url=https://www.ilo.org/youthmakingithappen/PDF/WP72-2005.pdf |website=International Labour Office |access-date=2 March 2012 |page=3, Table 1.1 |year=2005}}
Malaysia{{cite web |url=http://www.commonlii.org/my/legis/consol_act/aoma1971153/ |title=Age of Majority Act 1971 |website=The Commissioner of Law Revision, Malaysia |date=22 April 1971 |access-date=23 April 2018}}
Maldives
Mali
Malta{{cite web |url=http://r2e.gn.apc.org/country-node/463/country-minimum |title=National law and policies on minimum ages – Malta |date=2008 |website=APC.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604221045/http://r2e.gn.apc.org/country-node/463/country-minimum |archive-date=4 June 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=8580 |title=Malta Civil Code Chapter 16, Title V, Section 157: Of Minority |website=Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317105502/http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=8580 |archive-date=2015-03-17}}
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico{{cite web |url=http://info4.juridicas.unam.mx/ijure/fed/1/659.htm?s= |title=Codigo Civil Federal (Antes: Codigo Civil Para el Distrito y Territorios Federales en Materia Comun y Para Toda la Republica en Materia Federal) |language=es |trans-title=Federal Civil Code (Before: Civil Code for the District and Federal Territories in Common Matters and for All the Republic in Federal Matters) |website=Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México |access-date=2014-07-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050734/http://info4.juridicas.unam.mx/ijure/fed/1/659.htm?s= |archive-date=4 March 2016}}
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia{{cite web |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201902150693.html |title=Namibia: Age of Majority Now 18 in Namibian Law |first=Bernard |last=Tjatjara |date=15 February 2019 |website=AllAfrica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203074507/https://allafrica.com/stories/201902150693.html |archive-date=3 February 2020}}
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchcivillaw.com/civilcodebook01.htm |title=Dutch Civil Code: Book 1, Article 1:233: Minors |website=Dutch Civil Law}}{{efn|group=note|Or at 16 or 17, upon marriage. |name=}}
Nicaragua (female only)
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/library/wp-content/uploads/library/1993_Child_Rights_State_Periodic_Eng.pdf |title=Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties Under Article 44 of the Convention, Section 57 |date=12 October 1993 |website=Committee on the Rights of the Child |via=Youth Policy}}
Oman{{cite web |url=https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaOman.pdf |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Oman |date=2006 |website=Interpol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821232935/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaFinland.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2007}}
Pakistan{{cite web |url=http://www.ljcp.gov.pk/Menu%20Items/Reports_of_LJCP/09/90.pdf |title=Amendment in the Majority Act, 1875 |website=Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan}}
Palau{{cite web |url=http://www.paclii.org/cgi-bin/sinodisp/pw/legis/consol_act/drt21245/drt21245.html |title=Palau Consolidated Legislation, 21 PNC § 105 |website=Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute}}
Palestine{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/palestine/ |title=Palestine |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay{{Cite web |url=http://www.bacn.gov.py/leyes-paraguayas/4845/establece-la-mayoria-de-edad |title=Ley Nº 2169 / Establece La Mayoria de Edad |website=Biblioteca y Archivo del Congreso de la Nación |language=es |access-date=7 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915153042/http://www.bacn.gov.py/leyes-paraguayas/4845/establece-la-mayoria-de-edad |archive-date=15 September 2019 |url-status=dead}}
Peru
Philippines{{cite web |url=http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6809.htm |title=Republic Act No. 6809: An Act Lowering the Age of Majority From Twenty-One to Eighteen Years |date=13 December 1989 |website=Chan Robles Virtual Law Library}}
Poland{{cite web |url=http://www.ageofconsent.com/poland.htm |title=Age of Sexual Consent – Poland |website=AgeOfConsent.com |access-date=2012-08-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806025041/http://www.ageofconsent.com/poland.htm |archive-date=6 August 2012}}{{efn|group=note|Or upon marriage, which, for women, can happen as early as 16. The legal voting age is invariably 18.|name=}}
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania (see Minimum legal ages in Romania)
Russia{{cite web |url=http://www.russian-civil-code.com/PartI/SectionI/Subsection2/Chapter3.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629063844/http://www.russian-civil-code.com/PartI/SectionI/Subsection2/Chapter3.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 June 2012 |title=Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Part I, Section I, Subsection 2, Chapter 3, Article 21 The Active Capacity of the Citizen |website=Russian-civil-code.com |access-date=29 September 2011}}{{efn|group=note|Minors are emancipated upon marriage or in case of working on a labour agreement or being engaged in business activities.|name=}}
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis{{cite web |url=https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaStKittsNevis.pdf |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Saint Kitts & Nevis |date=2006 |website=Interpol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714211745/https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaStKittsNevis.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2007}}
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines{{cite web |url=https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/ |title=Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia{{cite web |title=Age of adulthood raised to 18 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/318508 |website=Arab News |access-date=15 January 2021 |language=en |date=26 November 2008}}
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore{{Singapore legislation|title=Civil Law (Amendment) Act|cap=new|no=7|year=2009}}, section 6
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa{{cite web |url=http://www.blacksash.org.za/index.php/your-rights/children/item/you-and-your-rights-turning-18 |title=You and Your Rights: Turning 18 |author=Carina |website=Black Sash |access-date=28 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923191647/http://www.blacksash.org.za/index.php/your-rights/children/item/you-and-your-rights-turning-18 |archive-date=23 September 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.hpcsa.co.za/Uploads/editor/UserFiles/downloads/legislations/acts/childrens_act_38_2005.pdf |title=Children's Act 38 of 2005 |website=Health Professions Council of South Africa |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827020649/http://www.hpcsa.co.za/Uploads/editor/UserFiles/downloads/legislations/acts/childrens_act_38_2005.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{efn|group=note|Children's Act, 2005 Article 1. "child" means a person under the age of 18 years, article 17. Age of majority – A child, whether male or female, becomes a major upon reaching the age of 18 years.|name=}}
South Sudan
Spain{{cite web |url=http://biblioteka.sejm.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Hiszpania_ang_300612.pdf |title=Constitution of Spain, 1978 |website=Biblioteka Sejmowa}}{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/library/wp-content/uploads/library/2009_Spanish_Civil_Code_Eng.pdf |title=Spanish Civil Code |date=2009 |website=Ministry of Justice |via=Youth Policy}}{{efn|group=note|Constitution article 12. Spaniards come legally of age at eighteen years. Civil Code article 315. Legal age begins upon turning eighteen. The date of birth shall be included in full for the calculation of legal age.|name=}}
Sri Lanka{{cite web |url=http://www.lawnet.lk/process.php?st=2001Y3V66C&hword=%27%27&path=5 |title=Age of Majority in Sri Lanka |website=Lawnet.lk |access-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111071856/http://www.lawnet.lk/process.php?st=2001Y3V66C&hword=%27%27&path=5 |archive-date=11 January 2012}}
Sudan{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/10/09/iran-saudi-arabia-sudan-end-juvenile-death-penalty |title=Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan: End Juvenile Death Penalty |website=Human Rights Watch |date=8 October 2010 |access-date=29 September 2011}}
Suriname
Sweden{{cite web |url=https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaSweden.pdf |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Sweden |date=2006 |website=Interpol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714222622/https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/CsaSweden.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2007}}
Switzerland{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/library/Switzerland_1907_Civil_Code_eng.pdf |title=Swiss Civil Code of 10 December 1907 |website=Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation |via=Youth Policy}}
Syria{{cite web |title=القانون رقم 4 لعام 2019 القاضي بتعديل بعض مواد قانون الأحوال الشخصية الصادر بالمرسوم التشريعي رقم 59 لعام 1953وتعديلاته |url=https://www.egov.sy/law/ar/294/0/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86+%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%85+4+%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85+2019+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A+%D8%A8%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%84+%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%B6+%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF+%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1+%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%8A+%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%85+59+%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85+1953%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87.html |website=بوابة الحكومة الإلكترونية السورية |publisher=الحكومة الإلكترونية السورية |access-date=20 January 2021}}{{cite web |title=قانون 20 المتضمن تعديل بعض المواد من قانون الأحوال الشخصية السوري |url=http://www.pministry.gov.sy/contents/14968/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-20-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B6%D9%85%D9%86--%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A- |website=Presidency of the Council of Ministries}}{{cite web |title=القانون 59 لعام 1953 قانون الأحوال الشخصية |url=https://parliament.gov.sy/arabic/index.php?node=201&nid=11333& |publisher=مجلس الشعب السوري}}
Taiwan{{cite news |title=Taiwan lowers age of majority to 18 |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4086938 |access-date=6 September 2021 |work=Taiwan News}}
Tajikistan{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/tajikistan/ |title=Tajikistan |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Tanzania
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia{{cite web |url=http://www.gnet.tn/revue-de-presse-nationale/tunisie-la-majorite-civile-est-desormais-de-18-ans/id-menu-958.html |title=Tunisie, la majorité civile est désormais de 18 ans |access-date=28 July 2015}}
Turkey{{cite web |url=https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaTurkey.pdf |title=Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Turkey |date=2006 |website=Interpol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714211411/https://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaTurkey.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2007}}
Turkmenistan
Uganda{{cite web |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/450_uganda.htm |title=3. State Party Reports: Uganda |website=UNICEF |access-date=2016-09-12}}
Ukraine{{cite web |url=http://www.ageofconsent.com/ukraine.htm |title=Ukraine – Age of Consent to Sexual Activity |website=AgeOfConsent.com |access-date=2012-08-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829125046/http://www.ageofconsent.com/ukraine.htm |archive-date=29 August 2012}}
United Kingdom{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1969/46/contents |title=Family Law Reform Act 1969 |website=Gov.uk |date=25 July 1969 |access-date=9 January 2015}} (excluding Scotland)
England
Northern Ireland{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1969/28 |title=Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |date=26 May 2011 |access-date=29 September 2011}}
Wales
Crown Dependencies
Guernsey{{cite web |url=http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/93434/Age-of-Majority-Alderney-Law-2001 |title=The Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001 |website=Guernsey Legal Resources}}
Isle of Man{{cite journal |url=http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf |title=Proceedings |journal=House of Keys Official Report |date=7 March 2006 |page=694 |volume=123 |issue=14 |issn=1742-2264 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324235108/http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-24}}
Jersey{{cite web |url=https://www.jerseylaw.je/laws/current/Pages/12.150.aspx |title=Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999 |website=Jersey Legal Information Board}}
British Overseas Territories
Gibraltar{{Cite web |url=http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/1962-07o.pdf |title=Minors Act 1962 |website=Gibraltar Laws |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008132843/http://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/1962-07o.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}
United Arab Emirates
United States:{{cite web |url=http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority |title=Age of Majority |website=US Legal |access-date=16 February 2012}} all states, territories, and Washington, D.C. except for those listed below{{efn|group=note|In all states and Washington, D.C., the legal alcohol purchase and smoking age is 21.}}
Uruguay
Uzbekistan{{Cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/uzbekistan/ |title=Uzbekistan |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet |access-date=2017-11-27}}
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Zimbabwe

=Age 19=

Algeria{{cite web |url=http://www.dgsn.dz/fr/guide_pour_le_passager.php |title=Guide du passager |date=2006 |website=Direction Générale de Surêté Nationale |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312170627/http://www.dgsn.dz/fr/guide_pour_le_passager.php |archive-date=12 March 2012}}
Canada
British Columbia
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Yukon
South Korea{{cite web |url=http://likms.assembly.go.kr/law/jsp/law/Law.jsp?WORK_TYPE=LAW_BON&LAW_ID=A1474&PROM_NO=10645&PROM_DT=20110519&HanChk=Y |title=Civil Code of the Republic of Korea |website=Legal Knowledge Information System |language=ko |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711222333/http://likms.assembly.go.kr/law/jsp/law/Law.jsp?WORK_TYPE=LAW_BON&LAW_ID=A1474&PROM_NO=10645&PROM_DT=20110519&HanChk=Y |archive-date=2012-07-11}}
United States
Alabama{{cite web |url=http://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2006/19865/26-1-1.html |title=Alabama Code: Title 26, Chapter 1, Section 26-1-1 |website=Justia |date=22 July 1975 |access-date=29 September 2011}}
Nebraska{{cite web |url=http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority/nebraska-age-of-majority-law/ |title=Nebraska Age of Majority Law |website=US Legal |access-date=16 February 2012}}

=Age 20=

New Zealand{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1970/0137/latest/whole.html#:~:text=For%20all%20the%20purposes%20of,the%20age%20of%2020%20years. |title=Age of Majority Act 1970 |website=New Zealand legislation}}
Thailand

=Age 21=

Cameroon{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/cameroon/ |title=Cameroon |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Chad
Côte d'Ivoire{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/cote-divoire/ |title=Ivory Coast |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Eswatini{{cite web |url=https://eswatinilii.org/akn/sz/act/1853/11/eng@1998-12-01/ |title=Age of Majority Act, 1853 |website=eSwatini Legal Information Institute |date=December 1998 |type=legal document }}
Gabon{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/gabon/ |title=Gabon |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Grenada{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/grenada/ |title=Grenada |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Honduras{{efn|group=note|In the light of article 16 of the Family Code, which provides that majority is attained at the age of 21 years, it may be inferred that the status of minor is retained in Honduras until the age of 21. However, according to article 36 of the Constitution of Honduras, all Hondurans over 18 years of age are citizens. This means that the quality of citizen is attained while a person is still a minor, thus involving the assumption of the status of minor adult. The latter contracts all the obligations of persons of full age and acquires the specific rights that are reserved for such persons, with a few exceptions.{{cite web |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/390_honduras.htm |title=State Party Reports: Definition Of The Child |date=20 February 1998 |website=UNICEF}}|name=}}
Kuwait{{cite web |url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/kuwait/ |title=Kuwait |work=Youth Policy |type=country fact sheet}}
Lesotho{{cite news |title=Shortage of Professionals Caused by Immigration to South Africa, Delegation Says |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/default-title-1746 |work=The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |date=18 January 2001}}
Madagascar{{cite web |url=http://droit.francophonie.org/df-web/publication.do?publicationId=2329 |title=Ordonnance 62-041 du 19 septembre 1962 relative aux dispositions générales de droit interne et de droit international privé |date=19 September 1962 |website=Organisation internationale de la francophonie |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227140725/http://droit.francophonie.org/df-web/publication.do?publicationId=2329 |archive-date=27 December 2008}}
Niger{{cite web |title=Committee on Rights of Child Examines Initial Report of Niger |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2009/10/committee-rights-child-examines-initial-report-niger |website=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |publisher=Treaty Bodies |access-date=24 May 2002}}
Nicaragua (male only){{cite web|url=https://www.poderjudicial.gob.ni/codigoetica/pdf/codigo_civil_de_la_republica_de_nicaragua.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj6vKjnoKz6AhW0QzABHVMeCA0QFnoECDEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ma8SO32bU02pFP5SYyc8a|title=Código civil code of the Republic of Nicaragua (Civil code of the Republic of Nicaragua)|date = 2019}}
Puerto Rico https://law.justia.com/codes/puerto-rico/title-thirty-one/subtitle-1/part-x/chapter-115/971/ |Age of Majority=Civil Code}}
Samoa
United States
Mississippi https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-1-laws-and-statutes/ms-code-sect-1-3-27.html|Mississippi Code Title 1. Laws and Statutes § 1-3-27}}
Zambia

=Unknown age=

Religious law

Religions have their own rules as to the age of maturity, when a child is regarded to be an adult, at least for ritual purposes:

Islam: Different Islamic fiqh schools have different criteria for adulthood. In general, males are considered adults when they have manifested specific physical attributes such as nocturnal emission and growth of pubic hair. Females are considered adults when they manifest physical attributes such as menstruation, growth of pubic hair, and nocturnal emission. However, in the absence of these physical attributes in either male or female, different schools of fiqh have different rulings on the age limit after which the male or female are considered adults even if they do not manifest any of the physical attributes earlier mentioned. Some schools rule based on the limit being 18 years for both males and females, some 18 for males and 17 for females, and some 15 for both. There is also a distinction in Islamic law between the state of adulthood and the ability to have sexual intercourse.
Judaism: The age of majority is 13 years for boys (bar mitzvah) and 12 years for girls (bat mitzvah) for religious purposes.{{cite web |title=The age requirement for Bar/Bat mitzvah |work=My Jewish Learning |url=http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-age-requirement-for-barbat-mitzvah/2/}} However, Jewish law follows (according to some interpretations) the law of the land if there is a difference, such as in marriage age.
Christianity (only the Roman Catholic Church): 18 years.{{cite web |title=CIC can. 97 § 1 |work=Code of Canon Law |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib1-cann96-123_en.html#CHAPTER_I}}, {{cite web |title=CIC can. 97 § 1 |work=Codex Iuris Canonici |language=la |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/latin/documents/cic_liberI_la.html#TITULUS_VI}} (1983). However, the traditional age majority is same as Judaism; 12 for girls, and 13 for boys.
Baháʼí Faith: The spiritual age of maturity for every person born into a Baháʼí family is 15. At 15, the person is old enough to decide for themselves what religion they want to be, so they could decide to stay a Baháʼí or choose a different path. At this age, Baháʼís are considered youth (as opposed to children before 15). Baháʼí youth are 15–21 years old. Once a Baháʼí turns 15, if they declare themselves a Baháʼí, they are expected to recite a daily obligatory prayer and participate in the fast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19850411_001/1#148273398|title=11 April 1985 – [To an individual] | Bahá'í Reference Library|website=www.bahai.org}} Baha'is can vote in Baha'i elections once they turn 18 (recently changed from 21).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20210420_001/1#561189860|title=Riḍván 2021 – To the Bahá'ís of the World | Bahá'í Reference Library|website=www.bahai.org}}

Effects

End of the parental authority and guardianship (in some legal systems it causes the pre-end of said institutions).
Right to be considered legally capable.
Right to freely manage and dispose of their goods, buy and sell properties and sign rental contracts.
Right to inherit, manage the inheritance and, in countries where testaments exist, the possibility of testament.
Right to receive bank credits and have bank accounts.
Right to demand public authority.
Possibility of being sued for not paying debts or other contracts.
Possibility of being a member of the jury (in countries where trials use a jury).
Possibility of being sued for child support and medical bills due to the birth of a child.{{cite web| title = Legal Rights and Responsibilities Manual | url = http://www.vsb.org/publications/brochure/so18spanish.pdf | accessdate = January 28, 2012 | author = | language =}}

In some countries, reaching the age of majority carries other rights and obligations, although in other countries, these rights and obligations may be had before or after reaching the aforementioned age.

Right to vote and to run for government office: although in some countries the minimum voting age may be lower and in other countries there are age restrictions to be elected to certain public offices.
Right to drive a car: it may vary in some countries with respect to the age of majority.
Right to drink alcoholic drinks and to smoke tobacco or marijuana: In some countries, the legal drinking age and the smoking age differ from the age of adulthood.
Right to buy and possess firearms or guns.
Right to work, pursue trade, profession or industry: may vary in some countries with respect to the age of majority.
Right to freely leave the country (in some European countries like Italy, minors can leave the country unimpeded).{{cite web | url = https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/travel-documents-minors/italy/index_en.htm|title=Travel documents for minors | access-date = January 14, 2020 | website = Your Europe - Citizens | language = en}}
In trials, the possibility of being treated as an adult, found guilty and sentenced to prison: It may vary in some countries with respect to the age of majority.

Notes

References

External links

{{Merriam-Webster|Age of majority}}
"Age of Majority by State as of 2021". Policygenius, [https://www.policygenius.com/estate-planning/age-of-majority-by-state/ Age of Majority by State in 2022].

Category:Adulthood

Category:Legal fictions

Category:Juvenile law

Category:Ageism