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The 'Age of maturity' is a legal term for the age of when a child reaches adulthood and has all of the rights and privileges of an adult. At this age, your teen is considered an adult under the law - both federal and state - and is legally responsible for their own actions.
In the United States, the age of maturity is determined by the state or territory in which the family resides. In most cases, this age is 18. But there are some notable exceptions, which are listed in the table below. For federal purposes however, it is 18 years of age. For example, all 18-year-old young adults in the United States are eligible to vote.
Age of Maturity in the United States
| Alabama | 19 |
| Alaska | 18 |
| Arizona | 18 |
| Arkansas | 18 |
| California | 18 |
| Colorado | 18 |
| Connecticut | 18 |
| Delaware | 18 |
| District of Columbia | 18 |
| Florida | 18 |
| Georgia | 18 |
| Hawaii | 18 |
| Idaho | 18 |
| Illinois | 18 |
| Indiana | 18 |
| Iowa | 18 |
| Kansas | 18 |
| Kentucky | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| Louisiana | 18 |
| Maine | 18 |
| Maryland | 18 |
| Massachusetts | 18 |
| Michigan | 18 |
| Minnesota | 18 |
| Missouri | 18 |
| Mississippi | 21 |
| Montana | 18 |
| Nebraska | 19 |
| New Hampshire | 18 |
| New Mexico | 18 |
| Nevada | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| New Jersey | 18, for most purposes |
| New York | 18 |
| North Carolina | 18 |
| North Dakota | 18 |
| Ohio | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| Oklahoma | 18 |
| Oregon | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | 18 |
| Rhode Island | 18 |
| South Carolina | 18 |
| South Dakota | 18 |
| Tennessee | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| Texas | 18 |
| Utah | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| Vermont | 18 |
| Virginia | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| Washington | 18 |
| West Virginia | 18 |
| Wisconsin | 18 and graduated from high school if still attending until the age of 19. |
| Wyoming | 18 |
| American Samoa | 18 |
| Guam | 18 |
| Northern Marianas Islands | 18 |
| Puerto Rico | 14 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 14 |
| Sources: YouthRights.net and State Websites; May 9, 2011 | |
