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*{{flagicon|Bolivia}} Bolivia
*{{flagicon|Bolivia}} Bolivia
*{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} Bosnia and Herzegovina<ref>[http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBosniaHerzegovina.asp Interpol report on Bosnia and Herzegovina]{{dead link|date=December 2011|url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBosniaHerzegovina.asp}}</ref> (16 if minor gets married or has a child)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otac.ba/usr/101/files/FBiH_porodicni_zakon.pdf |title=clan:158 |format=PDF |accessdate=29 September 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2012|url=http://www.otac.ba/usr/101/files/FBiH_porodicni_zakon.pdf}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} Bosnia and Herzegovina<ref>[http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBosniaHerzegovina.asp Interpol report on Bosnia and Herzegovina]{{dead link|date=December 2011|url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/csaBosniaHerzegovina.asp}}</ref> (16 if minor gets married or has a child)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.otac.ba/usr/101/files/FBiH_porodicni_zakon.pdf |title=clan:158 |format=PDF |accessdate=29 September 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2012|url=http://www.otac.ba/usr/101/files/FBiH_porodicni_zakon.pdf}}</ref>
*[[Crown dependencies|British Crown dependencies]]
⚫
**{{flagicon|Isle of Man}} Isle of Man<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20120324235108/http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf|archivedate=2012-03-24|volume=123|issue=14issn=1742-2264|title=HOUSE OF KEYS OFFICIAL REPORT|date=7 March 2006|page=694}}</ref>
⚫
**{{flagicon|Jersey}} Jersey<ref>[http://www.jerseylaw.je/law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce/consolidated/12/12.150_AgeofMajorityLaw1999_RevisedEdition_1January2006.htm Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999]</ref>
**{{flagicon|Guernsey}} Guernsey<ref>[http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/article/93434/Age-of-Majority-Alderney-Law-2001 The Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001], [http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg guernseylegalresources.gg].</ref>
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} Brazil (those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating in college or for being economically independent)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} Brazil (those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating in college or for being economically independent)
*{{flagicon|Brunei}} Brunei
*{{flagicon|Brunei}} Brunei
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**{{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland
**{{flagicon|Scotland}} Scotland
**{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} Northern Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/dmgmanual/html/DMG46001/10_0092_DMG47063.htm |title=Age of majority |publisher=Hmrc.gov.uk |date=28 June 2011 |accessdate=29 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1969/28/contents |title=Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk |date=26 May 2011 |accessdate=29 September 2011}}</ref>
**{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} Northern Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/dmgmanual/html/DMG46001/10_0092_DMG47063.htm |title=Age of majority |publisher=Hmrc.gov.uk |date=28 June 2011 |accessdate=29 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1969/28/contents |title=Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 |publisher=Legislation.gov.uk |date=26 May 2011 |accessdate=29 September 2011}}</ref>
⚫
**{{flagicon|Jersey}} Jersey<ref>[http://www.jerseylaw.je/law/display.aspx?url=lawsinforce%2Fconsolidated%2F12%2F12.150_AgeofMajorityLaw1999_RevisedEdition_1January2006.htm/ Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999]</ref>
⚫
**{{flagicon|Isle of Man}} Isle of Man<ref>http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf / Hansard, House of Keys, 7 March 2006, 699 K123 {{dead link|date=June 2010|url=http://www.tynwald.org.im/papers/hansards/2005-2006/kh07032006.pdf}}</ref>
**{{flagicon|Guernsey}} Guernsey
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]],<ref name=usa>{{cite web|url=http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority |title=Age of Majority|publisher=Minors.uslegal.com |accessdate=16 February 2012}}</ref> (except [[Alabama]] (19),<ref name=alabama /> [[Mississippi]] (21),<ref name=mississippi>[http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority/mississippi-age-of-majority-law/ Mississippi Age of Majority Law]</ref> [[Nebraska]] (19 or upon marriage),<ref name=nebraska /> [[Puerto Rico]] (21)<ref name=PR>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthrights.net/index.php?title=Puerto_Rico_Emancipation_Law|title=Puerto Rico Emancipation Law|publisher=[http://www.youthrights.net youthrights.net]}}</ref>)
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]],<ref name=usa>{{cite web|url=http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority |title=Age of Majority|publisher=Minors.uslegal.com |accessdate=16 February 2012}}</ref> (except [[Alabama]] (19),<ref name=alabama /> [[Mississippi]] (21),<ref name=mississippi>[http://minors.uslegal.com/age-of-majority/mississippi-age-of-majority-law/ Mississippi Age of Majority Law]</ref> [[Nebraska]] (19 or upon marriage),<ref name=nebraska /> [[Puerto Rico]] (21)<ref name=PR>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthrights.net/index.php?title=Puerto_Rico_Emancipation_Law|title=Puerto Rico Emancipation Law|publisher=[http://www.youthrights.net youthrights.net]}}</ref>)
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Uruguay
*{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Uruguay

Revision as of 05:59, 14 February 2013

"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.

Explanation

Age of majority can be confused with a similar concept, the age of license,[citation needed] 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 maturity, on the other hand, is legal recognition that one has grown into an adult.

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.[1] Also, in Portugal the age of majority is 18, but one must be at least 25 years of age to run for public office.[2] 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.[3]

Countries and subdivisions

The following list the age of majority in countries (or administrative divisions) as appropriate:

Age 14

Age 15

Age 16

Age 17

Age 18

  • Afghanistan Afghanistan
  • American Samoa American Samoa, United States[13]
  • Andorra Andorra[14]
  • Austria Austria [15]
  • Argentina Argentina[16]
  • Angola Angola
  • Australia Australia[17]
  • The Bahamas Bahamas[18]
  • Bangladesh Bangladesh
  • Barbados Barbados[19]
  • Belarus Belarus[20]
  • Bhutan Bhutan
  • Bolivia Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina[21] (16 if minor gets married or has a child)[22]
  • British Crown dependencies
  • Brazil Brazil (those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating in college or for being economically independent)
  • Brunei Brunei
  • Bulgaria Bulgaria
  • Burundi Burundi
  • Cambodia Cambodia
  • Cameroon Cameroon
  • Canada Canada (provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan)[26]
  • Chile Chile
  • China China [27]
  • Colombia Colombia
  • Costa Rica Costa Rica
  • Ivory Coast Côte d'Ivoire
  • Croatia Croatia (16 if minor becomes a parent or marries – a judicial act is passed with prior hearing of minors parents and getting an opinion of the Social Care centre)
  • Cyprus Cyprus
  • Czech Republic Czech Republic (16 if minor marries)
  • Denmark Denmark (incl. Faroe Islands and Greenland)[28]
  • Djibouti Djibouti[29]
  • Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
  • Dominica Dominica
  • Ecuador Ecuador
  • El Salvador El Salvador[30]
  • Fiji Fiji
  • Finland Finland [31]
  • France France
  • Gabon Gabon
  • Georgia (country) Georgia
  • Germany Germany
  • Ghana Ghana
  • Greece Greece
  • Guatemala Guatemala
  • Guinea Guinea
  • Guyana Guyana
  • Haiti Haiti
  • Hong Kong Hong Kong
  • Hungary Hungary
  • Iceland Iceland
  • India India[32]
  • Indonesia Indonesia [6]
  • Iran Iran[33][34]
  • Republic of Ireland Ireland (or upon marriage)[35]
  • Israel Israel
  • Italy Italy
  • Jamaica Jamaica
  • Kenya Kenya
  • Laos Laos
  • Lebanon Lebanon
  • Liechtenstein Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania Lithuania
  • Macau Macau
  • North Macedonia Macedonia
  • Malawi Malawi[36]
  • Malaysia Malaysia
  • Malta Malta
  • Mauritania Mauritania
  • Mauritius Mauritius
  • Mexico Mexico
  • Moldova Moldova
  • Monaco Monaco
  • Mongolia Mongolia
  • Montenegro Montenegro
  • Nepal Nepal
  • Netherlands Netherlands
  • Norway Norway
  • Oman Oman [37]
  • Pakistan Pakistan
  • State of Palestine Palestine
  • Panama Panama
  • Paraguay Paraguay
  • Peru Peru
  • Philippines Philippines[38]
  • Poland Poland [39]
  • Portugal Portugal (minors are emancipated upon marriage - art.º 132.º Portuguese Civil Code)
  • Qatar Qatar
  • Romania Romania
  • Russia Russia (minors are emancipated upon marriage or in case of working on a labour agreement or being engaged in business activities)[40]
  • Rwanda Rwanda
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis [41]
  • Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal Senegal
  • Serbia Serbia
  • Seychelles Seychelles
  • Slovakia Slovakia (16 if minor marries – a judicial act is passed with prior agreement of minor's parents)
  • Slovenia Slovenia
  • South Africa South Africa
  • Spain Spain
  • Sri Lanka Sri Lanka[42]
  • Sudan Sudan[43]
  • Sweden Sweden [44]
  • Switzerland Switzerland[45]
  • Syria Syria
  • Tanzania Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey Turkey [46]
  • Ukraine Ukraine [47]
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom
    • England England
    • Wales Wales
    • Scotland Scotland
    • Northern Ireland Northern Ireland[48][49]
  • United States United States,[50] (except Alabama (19),[51] Mississippi (21),[52] Nebraska (19 or upon marriage),[53] Puerto Rico (21)[54])
  • Uruguay Uruguay
  • Venezuela Venezuela
  • Vietnam Vietnam
  • Yemen Yemen
  • Zimbabwe Zimbabwe

Age 19

Age 20

  • Japan Japan; as of 2008, the age of majority in Japan was 20, but it had plans to lower it to 18.[57]
  • New Zealand New Zealand[58][note 1]
  • Taiwan Taiwan (Republic of China)
  • Thailand Thailand
  • Tunisia Tunisia [60]

Age 21

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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.[59]

References

  1. ^ "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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "CONSTITUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC" (PDF).
  3. ^ Statutory and Judicial Emancipation of Minors in the United States, 2001–2002 analysis by law students of Northeastern University
  4. ^ In Albania, the legal age of majority is fourteen years for female and male persons, and the legal age of consent for marriage is 18. Marriage can take place before the age of 18 upon important circumstances and with judicial approval.
  5. ^ "Albania – Albanie - Albania" (PDF). National Laws : Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children. Interpol. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Constitution of the Republic of Cuba 1992". Retrieved 26 August 2012.. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ "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.. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ Interpol report on Kyrgyzstan
  10. ^ Interpol report on Uzbekistan law
  11. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Sexual Offences Laws – Countries. Interpol.int (2011-01-31). Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
  13. ^ "American Samoa Code Annotated § 40.0401". Asbar.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2005. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  14. ^ Interpol report on Andorra law[dead link]
  15. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  16. ^ "Política – El Senado aprobó la ley de la mayoría de edad a los 18 años". Telam. 1 January 1980. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  17. ^ "Children's Rights: Australia". U.S. Library of congress. Section: Who is a Child?.
  18. ^ Interpol report on Bahamas[dead link]
  19. ^ Interpol report on Barbados [dead link]
  20. ^ Interpol report on Belarus[dead link]
  21. ^ Interpol report on Bosnia and Herzegovina[dead link]
  22. ^ "clan:158" (PDF). Retrieved 29 September 2011.[dead link]
  23. ^ "HOUSE OF KEYS OFFICIAL REPORT" (PDF). 123 (14issn=1742-2264). 7 March 2006: 694. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. ^ Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999
  25. ^ The Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001, guernseylegalresources.gg.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  28. ^ Interpol report on Denmark[dead link]
  29. ^ Interpol report on Djibouti (in French)[dead link]
  30. ^ "World Law Direct, Age of Majority list". Worldlawdirect.com. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  32. ^ Indian Majority Act
  33. ^ "Iran changes law for execution of juveniles". Retrieved 10 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Text "Iran independent News Service" ignored (help)
  34. ^ ghanoononline.ir. ghanoononline.ir. Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
  35. ^ "Age of Majority Act, 1985". Irish Statute Book. Oireachtas. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  36. ^ 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" (PDF). International Labour Office. p. 3, Table 1.1. Retrieved 2 March 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  38. ^ Republic Act No. 6809, 13 December 1989, Chan Robles Law library
  39. ^ "Age of Sexual Consent - Poland". Ageofconsent.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  40. ^ "The Citizens (Natural Persons)". Russian-civil-code.com. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  41. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  42. ^ "Age of Majority in Sri Lanka". Lawnet.lk. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  43. ^ "Human Rights Watch, ''Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan: End Juvenile Death Penalty''". Hrw.org. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  44. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  45. ^ "Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation". Admin.ch. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  46. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  47. ^ "Ukraine - Age of Consent to Sexual Activity". Ageofconsent.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  48. ^ "Age of majority". Hmrc.gov.uk. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  49. ^ "Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969". Legislation.gov.uk. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  50. ^ "Age of Majority". Minors.uslegal.com. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  51. ^ 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.
  52. ^ a b Mississippi Age of Majority Law
  53. ^ a b "Nebraska Age of Majority Law – Age of Majority – Minors". Minors.uslegal.com. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  54. ^ a b "Puerto Rico Emancipation Law". youthrights.net. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ "dgsn.dz".
  56. ^ :::: 법률지식정보시스템 ::::. Likms.assembly.go.kr. Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
  57. ^ "70% oppose lowering Japan's age of majority to 18: gov't poll+". 14 September 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  58. ^ Age of Majority Act 1970. Section 4.
  59. ^ Citizen's Advice Bureau. Legal ages and ID. 1 June 2011.
  60. ^ "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  61. ^ Interpol report on Azerbaijan[dead link]
  62. ^ Ordonnance 62-041 du 19 septembre 1962 relative aux dispositions générales de droit interne et de droit international privé
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