Legal Age by State

How legal ages are set

Most legal ages come from state law, so they change at the state line. Driving permits, work permits, tattoos, marriage, school attendance and the age of majority are all set by each state.

A few ages are set nationally. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election. Tobacco and alcohol ages are covered below.

Work is the main area where both levels set ages. Federal child-labor law says it does not excuse anyone from a state law with a higher standard (29 U.S.C. § 218(a)), so an employer covered by both follows whichever rule is stricter.

What you can do at 16, 18 and 21

The age of majority is when state law treats a person as an adult for most purposes, such as signing binding contracts. It is 18 in 48 jurisdictions; 19 in Alabama and Nebraska; 21 in Mississippi. Some rights arrive before it or after it, so check each rung.

At 16 (federal rules)

• At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous. (29 CFR 570.2(a)(1))

At 18 (federal rules)

• The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election. (U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1)
• Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year. (28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1))
• Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System. (50 U.S.C. § 3802(a))
• At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work. (29 CFR 570.2(a)(1))

At 21 (federal rules)

• Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own. (15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8))
• Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21. (49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1))

Driving, work permits and school-leaving ages at 16 and 17 depend on the state. Pick a state above for its full ladder.

Key legal ages in every state

The table shows the ages people search for most. A cell without an age says why (for example, no permit is required, or the law sets no minimum age). Each state page lists every rule with its official source.

Alcohol, tobacco and lottery ages

Federal highway funding law withholds funds from any state that lets anyone under 21 buy alcohol or possess it in public, so every state sets 21. Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

Where a state runs a lottery, the minimum age to buy a ticket is 18 in 40 jurisdictions; 19 in Nebraska; 21 in Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah have no state lottery.

We could not confirm the lottery age for Tennessee at an official source.

Casino gambling ages are not covered by this tool.

Why the age of consent is not on this ladder

The age of consent is a criminal-law protection for minors, not a milestone, so it is not part of this tool or its share card. Our age of consent laws by state page covers it with the legal context it needs.