Indiana Legal Ages

Legal ages in Indiana

1. Age 7

   • Must be enrolled in school

     Indiana requires attendance from the school year in which a child turns 7.

     A child who officially enrolls in school earlier, such as in kindergarten, must attend from the date of enrollment.

     Indiana law · Ind. Code § 20-33-2-6

2. 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.

     From 8 to 15, a restraint system or seat belt is required.

     Indiana law · Ind. Code § 9-19-11-2(a)

3. 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)

     Indiana bars work in any gainful occupation by minors under 14, except farm work, domestic service and golf caddying.

     Youth sports referees and officials are also exempt.

     Indiana law · IC 22-2-18.1-12(a)

4. Age 16

   • 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 learner's permit

     Indiana issues a learner's permit at 16 without driver education.

     At 15, a teen enrolled in an approved behind-the-wheel driver education course can get a learner's permit.

     Indiana law · Indiana BMV, Learner's Permit

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A probationary license for driving alone is available at 16 with driver education and 180 days on a permit.

     Without driver education the minimum age is 16 and about 9 months (16 years and 270 days).

     Indiana law · Indiana BMV, Probationary Driver's License

   • Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent

     With a juvenile court order that also emancipates the minor, the lowest age to marry is 16.

     The court approval completely emancipates the minor.

     Indiana law · IC 31-11-1-7(a)

5. Age 17

   • Can pre-register to vote

     Indiana lets 17-year-olds register to vote if they will be 18 by the next November general or municipal election.

     A 17-year-old who will not be 18 by that election cannot register yet.

     Indiana law · IC 3-7-13 (Election Division guidebook)

   • Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election

     Indiana lets 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.

     Under-18 voters may not vote on public questions.

     Indiana law · IC 3-7-13-2 (Election Division guidebook)

6. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     Indiana's compulsory attendance requirement ends at graduation or the 18th birthday.

     A 16- or 17-year-old may withdraw only for financial hardship with employment, illness or a court order, after an exit interview.

     Indiana law · Ind. Code §§ 20-33-2-6, 20-33-2-9

   • 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)

     Probationary license night driving limits apply until the driver turns 18.

     For the first 180 days: no driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no passengers unless an approved adult is in the front seat.

     Indiana law · Indiana BMV, Probationary Driver's License

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.

     Indiana law · Ind. Code § 35-45-21-4(c)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

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

     Indiana law · Ind. Code § 1-1-4-5(a)

   • Can make a will

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

     A younger member of the armed forces or merchant marine can also make a will.

     Indiana law · Ind. Code 29-1-5-1

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

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

     Indiana law · IC 31-11-1-4

   • 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.

     Indiana law · IC 33-28-5-16(b)

   • 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)

     Indiana treats an offense committed before 18 as a delinquent act for juvenile court by default.

     Acts over which the juvenile court lacks jurisdiction under IC 31-30-1 (certain serious charges against older minors) start in adult court.

     Indiana law · IC 31-37-1-2

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     Hoosier Lottery games are limited to players 18 and older.

     Indiana law · Hoosier Lottery FAQ (Ind. Code § 4-30-12-1)

7. 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)

   • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

     An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 21.

     Requests go through the state adoption history program; birth parents may restrict some information.

     Indiana law · Ind. Code § 31-19-25; Indiana Department of Health, Adoption History Program

   • 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)

8. 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

9. Age 30

   • Can serve as governor

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

     Indiana law · Ind. Const. art. 5, § 7

   • 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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)

15. Age 75

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

      From age 75, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      The exemption is claimed by notifying the jury administrator.

      Indiana law · IC 33-28-5-18(d)(1)

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