Legal ages in the United States

Age of majority

18 years

The United States has no federal rule: each state sets its own. 18 in most; 19 in Alabama and Nebraska; 21 in Mississippi.

The age at which a person becomes an adult in civil law: able to sign contracts, own and manage property in their own name, and leave parental authority.

Minimum age to marry

No single age

The United States has no federal rule: each state sets its own. The minimum is 18 in most states, with exceptions in many; a growing number of states set 18 with no exceptions.

The lowest age at which the law allows a marriage, in the general rule.

Age of consent

No single age

The United States has no federal rule: each state sets its own. It is 16, 17 or 18 depending on the state, with close-in-age exceptions.

The age at which the law treats a person as able to consent to sexual activity.

Age of criminal responsibility

No single age

The United States has no federal rule: each state sets its own. Many states set no minimum age.

The lowest age at which a child can be held criminally responsible.

Voting age

18 years

The age at which a citizen may vote in national elections.

Alcohol purchase age

21 years

Set by federal law tied to highway funds; each state has exceptions for family settings or religion.

The lowest age at which a person may legally buy alcohol, in the general rule.