Alaska Legal Ages

Legal ages in Alaska

1. Age 1

   • Rear-facing car seat age requirement ends

     The law requires a rear-facing seat until age 1; after that a child may ride forward-facing.

     The child must also weigh at least 20 pounds.

     Alaska law · AS 28.05.095(b)(1)

2. Age 7

   • Must be enrolled in school

     Alaska requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 7.

     A child enrolled earlier may be withdrawn and is not required to attend until 7.

     Alaska law · AS 14.30.010(a)

3. Age 8

   • Car seat or booster age requirement ends

     The child car seat or booster requirement ends at age 8; after that a seat belt can be used.

     Earlier once the child is 57 inches tall or weighs 65 pounds.

     Alaska law · AS 28.05.095(b)(3)

4. Age 14

   • Can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs (federal rule)

     Federal law lets 14- and 15-year-olds work in permitted non-hazardous jobs, outside school hours and within weekly hour limits.

     Limits: no more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can work (state minimum age)

     Alaska bars most work by children under 14, with exceptions for household work, babysitting and newspaper delivery.

     Under-14 work allowed outside school hours: domestic work, babysitting, newspaper delivery or sales, and some cannery warehouse work.

     Alaska law · AS 23.10.335

   • Can get a learner's permit

     Alaska issues an instruction permit for supervised driving at 14.

     The supervising driver must be at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience.

     Alaska law · AS 28.15.051(a)

5. Age 16

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     Alaska's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 16th birthday.

     Alaska law · AS 14.30.010(a)

   • Can work any non-hazardous job (federal rule)

     At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A provisional license for driving alone is available at 16 after six months on an instruction permit.

     Requires 40 hours of supervised driving (10 in challenging conditions) and no traffic conviction in the prior six months.

     Alaska law · AS 28.15.055

   • Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought

     A minor can petition a court to be declared emancipated starting at age 16.

     The minor must live apart from the parents and be able to support themselves and manage their own finances.

     Alaska law · AS 09.55.590(a)

   • Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent

     With a superior court judge's permission, the lowest age to marry is 16.

     Alaska requires a judge to grant permission for a 16- or 17-year-old to marry.

     Alaska law · AS 25.05.171(b)

6. Age 17

   • No work permit needed

     Workers under 17 need written authorization (a work permit) from the Alaska labor commissioner.

     Some jobs are exempt, and an employer may get a specific job pre-approved for workers 14 and older.

     Alaska law · AS 23.10.332(a)

7. Age 17 and 9 months

   • Can pre-register to vote

     Alaska lets you register to vote within 90 days before your 18th birthday.

     The window opens 90 days before the 18th birthday, which can be a day earlier or up to two days later than the date shown here.

     Alaska law · AS 15.07.040

8. Age 18

   • Can work in jobs federal law calls hazardous

     At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Teen license limits end (varies, see rule)

     Provisional licenses, with passenger limits and a 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. driving ban, are for drivers under 18.

     A driver can apply for a regular license after six months on a provisional license with no traffic conviction in the prior six months, as early as 16 and 6 months.

     Alaska law · AS 28.15.055, 28.15.057

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     Tattooing is allowed from 18; the ban on tattooing minors ends at that age.

     Alaska law · AS 25.20.010; AS 08.13.217(a)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

     State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.

     Alaska law · AS 25.20.010

   • Can make a will

     A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.

     Alaska law · AS 13.12.501

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

     A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.

     Alaska law · AS 25.05.171(b); AS 25.05.011

   • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

     An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 18.

     Alaska law · AS 18.50.500(a)

   • Can vote

     The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1

   • Must register with Selective Service (men)

     Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System.

     Men admitted on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt while they keep that status (50 U.S.C. 3802(a)).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)

   • Can be called for state jury service

     A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.

     Alaska law · AS 09.20.010(a)

   • Can be called for federal jury service

     Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)

   • Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends)

     Alaska tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.

     A juvenile court can transfer some younger defendants to adult court for serious offenses.

     Alaska law · AS 47.12.990(12)

9. Age 21

   • Can drive a commercial truck across state lines

     Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)

   • Can buy tobacco or vapes

     Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)

   • Can buy alcohol

     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 rules let states exempt possession (not purchase) for a religious purpose, with a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 or older, for medical use, in private clubs, or in lawful employment (23 C.F.R. 1208.3).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)

   • Under-21 credit card limits end (no cosigner or independent income needed)

     Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)

10. Age 25

    • Can serve in the U.S. House

      The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2

11. Age 30

    • Can serve as governor

      Alaska's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.

      Alaska law · Alaska Const. art. III, § 2

    • Can serve in the U.S. Senate

      The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3

12. Age 35

    • Can serve as President

      The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5

13. Age 62

    • Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced)

      Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement

14. Age 65

    • Eligible for Medicare by age

      Medicare hospital insurance by age begins at 65 for people entitled, or who would be entitled, to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)

15. Age 67

    • Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later)

      Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

16. Age 70

    • Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age

      From age 70, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      Alaska's court rule applies to a person over age 70 and makes the excuse permanent on request.

      Alaska law · Alaska Admin. R. 15(f)(2)(A)

17. Age 73

    • Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin

      Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)

Runs in your browser. Nothing you choose or type is stored or sent.