Utah Legal Ages
The key age-based rights and duties in Utah, with the law or official source behind each one: driving, work, school, tattoos, marriage, voting, jury service and more. Add a birth date to see which ages are reached and what comes next. It runs in your browser; nothing is stored.
Sources checked on October 21, 2026.
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Legal ages in Utah
Age 6
Must be enrolled in school
Utah requires parents to enroll and send a school-age child, age 6 or older, to school.
Utah law · Utah Code §§ 53G-6-201, 53G-6-202(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.
Earlier once the child is 57 inches tall.
Utah law · Utah Code § 41-6a-1803(1)(a)(ii), (1)(b)
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)
Utah lets minors 14 and older work in a wide range of nonhazardous jobs, such as retail and food service.
From 12, minors may deliver newspapers and babysit; from 10, deliver newspapers and caddy. Some work has no age limit with a parent's consent.
Utah law · Utah Code § 34-23-204(1)
Age 15
Can get a learner's permit
Utah issues a learner permit, valid for 18 months, at 15.
Utah law · Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(2)
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 first license to drive alone
A provisional Class D license for driving alone is available at 16 after six months with a permit.
Requires driver education and 40 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night.
Utah law · Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(7)
Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought
A minor can petition a court to be declared emancipated starting at age 16.
Utah law · Utah Code § 80-7-103
Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent
With a parent's consent and juvenile court authorization, the lowest age to marry is 16.
The other party can be no more than 4 years older, and the court cannot authorize it until 72 hours after the petition is filed (Utah Code 81-2-304).
Utah law · Utah Code 81-2-301(3)
Can pre-register to vote
Utah lets eligible residents pre-register to vote at 16; they can vote once they turn 18.
Utah law · Utah Code § 20A-2-101.1(1)(a)
Age 17
Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election
Utah lets 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.
Utah law · Utah Code § 20A-2-101(1)(c)(ii)
Age 18
Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)
Utah's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.
A child over 16 who finished 8th grade may get a partial release for work or trade school (§ 53G-6-204).
Utah law · Utah Code §§ 53G-6-201, 53G-6-202(2)
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)
Utah night driving limits apply to licensed drivers aged 16 and 17.
The passenger limit ends after the first six months of licensure.
Utah law · Utah Driver License Division
Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent
From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.
Utah law · Utah Code § 76-10-2201(1)
Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)
State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.
Utah law · Utah Code § 15-2-1
Can make a will
A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.
Utah law · Utah Code 75-2-501
Can marry without a parent's consent
A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.
The marriage statute sets exceptions only below the age of majority.
Utah law · Utah Code § 15-2-1 (age of majority; the marriage statute states only the under-majority exceptions)
Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate
An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 18.
Covers the report of adoption, the original birth certificate, findings of fact and the final decree, with birth-parent addresses redacted. A birth parent can ask a court to keep them sealed for 10 years if they fear harm.
Utah law · Utah Code 81-13-103(6)
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.
Utah law · Utah Code 78B-1-105(1)
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)
Utah 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.
Utah law · Utah Code § 80-1-102(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)
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)
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
Age 30
Can serve as governor
Utah's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.
Utah law · Utah Const. art. VII, § 3(1)
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
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
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
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)
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
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)
Rules with no set age in Utah
- Rear-facing car seat age requirement ends: State law sets no rear-facing age; the car seat maker's limits govern when a child turns forward. Utah Code § 41-6a-1803(1)(a)(ii)
- No work permit needed: This state does not require a work permit. Utah Code ch. 34-23; § 34-23-209
- Can get a tattoo with a parent's consent: With a parent's consent, state law sets no minimum age. Utah Code § 76-10-2201
- Can buy a lottery ticket: This state has no state lottery. Utah Const. art. VI, § 27
- Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age: State law sets no age at which a person can be excused from jury service for age alone. Utah Code § 78B-1-108
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Legal ages in Utah, rule by rule
Each row is one rule, the age it sets in Utah, and the law it comes from. Federal rules apply in every state and are marked as federal.
Childhood
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing car seat age requirement ends State law sets no rear-facing age; the car seat maker's limits govern when a child turns forward. | No rear-facing age set | Utah Code § 41-6a-1803(1)(a)(ii) |
| 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. | 8 | Utah Code § 41-6a-1803(1)(a)(ii), (1)(b) |
School
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Must be enrolled in school Utah requires parents to enroll and send a school-age child, age 6 or older, to school. | 6 | Utah Code §§ 53G-6-201, 53G-6-202(2) |
| Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends) Utah's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.A child over 16 who finished 8th grade may get a partial release for work or trade school (§ 53G-6-204). | 18 | Utah Code §§ 53G-6-201, 53G-6-202(2) |
Work
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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). | 14 | 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)Federal, all states |
| Can work (state minimum age) Utah lets minors 14 and older work in a wide range of nonhazardous jobs, such as retail and food service.From 12, minors may deliver newspapers and babysit; from 10, deliver newspapers and caddy. Some work has no age limit with a parent's consent. | 14 | Utah Code § 34-23-204(1) |
| No work permit needed This state does not require a work permit.Schools issue age certificates to employers on request. | No permit required | Utah Code ch. 34-23; § 34-23-209 |
| 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. | 16 | 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)Federal, all states |
| 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. | 18 | 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)Federal, all states |
Driving
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can get a learner's permit Utah issues a learner permit, valid for 18 months, at 15. | 15 | Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(2) |
| Can get a first license to drive alone A provisional Class D license for driving alone is available at 16 after six months with a permit.Requires driver education and 40 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night. | 16 | Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(7) |
| Teen license limits end (varies, see rule) Utah night driving limits apply to licensed drivers aged 16 and 17.The passenger limit ends after the first six months of licensure. | 18 | Utah Driver License Division |
| Can drive a commercial truck across state lines Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21. | 21 | 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)Federal, all states |
Tattoos
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can get a tattoo with a parent's consent With a parent's consent, state law sets no minimum age.A parent or guardian must be present during the tattooing, prove identity and relationship, and sign written permission. Married or emancipated minors are outside the rule. | No minimum age | Utah Code § 76-10-2201 |
| Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent. | 18 | Utah Code § 76-10-2201(1) |
Adulthood and family
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought A minor can petition a court to be declared emancipated starting at age 16. | 16 | Utah Code § 80-7-103 |
| Becomes a legal adult (age of majority) State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18. | 18 | Utah Code § 15-2-1 |
| Can make a will A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18. | 18 | Utah Code 75-2-501 |
| Can marry without a parent's consent A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.The marriage statute sets exceptions only below the age of majority. | 18 | Utah Code § 15-2-1 (age of majority; the marriage statute states only the under-majority exceptions) |
| Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent With a parent's consent and juvenile court authorization, the lowest age to marry is 16.The other party can be no more than 4 years older, and the court cannot authorize it until 72 hours after the petition is filed (Utah Code 81-2-304). | 16 | Utah Code 81-2-301(3) |
| Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 18.Covers the report of adoption, the original birth certificate, findings of fact and the final decree, with birth-parent addresses redacted. A birth parent can ask a court to keep them sealed for 10 years if they fear harm. | 18 | Utah Code 81-13-103(6) |
Voting, juries and office
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can pre-register to vote Utah lets eligible residents pre-register to vote at 16; they can vote once they turn 18. | 16 | Utah Code § 20A-2-101.1(1)(a) |
| Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election Utah lets 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election. | 17 | Utah Code § 20A-2-101(1)(c)(ii) |
| Can vote The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election. | 18 | U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1Federal, all states |
| 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)).Law change: The FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (signed December 18, 2025) makes registration automatic; the Selective Service System says it will implement the change by December 2026. | 18 | 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)Federal, all states |
| Can be called for state jury service A person can be called for state jury service from age 18. | 18 | Utah Code 78B-1-105(1) |
| 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. | 18 | 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)Federal, all states |
| Can serve in the U.S. House The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives. | 25 | U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2Federal, all states |
| Can serve as governor Utah's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old. | 30 | Utah Const. art. VII, § 3(1) |
| Can serve in the U.S. Senate The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate. | 30 | U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3Federal, all states |
| Can serve as President The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President. | 35 | U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5Federal, all states |
Criminal court
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends) Utah 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. | 18 | Utah Code § 80-1-102(7) |
Age-restricted purchases
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 21 | 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)Federal, all states |
| 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). | 21 | 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)Federal, all states |
| Can buy a lottery ticket This state has no state lottery. | No state lottery | Utah Const. art. VI, § 27 |
Money
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 21 | 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)Federal, all states |
Later life
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced) Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced. | 62 | SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirementFederal, all states |
| 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. | 65 | 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)Federal, all states |
| Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later) Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. | 67 | SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of BirthFederal, all states |
| Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age State law sets no age at which a person can be excused from jury service for age alone.A person may still ask to be excused for undue hardship. | No state age excuse | Utah Code § 78B-1-108 |
| Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.Law change: Rises to 75 for people who turn 74 after December 31, 2032. | 73 | 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)Federal, all states |
How Utah sets these ages
State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18. Some rights arrive before that age and some after it, and several rules below give minors a path that needs a parent's consent or a court's approval.
For work, federal child-labor law does not excuse an employer from a Utah rule with a higher standard (29 U.S.C. § 218(a)), so the stricter rule applies to employers covered by both. A row without an age says why, for example: no permit is required, the law sets no minimum age, or the state has no rule of that kind.
The age of consent
The age of consent is not a milestone and is not part of this ladder. See age of consent laws by state for Utah's law and its legal context.
What this tool does not do
- It does not give legal advice or say whether a specific person may do something. Many rules have conditions (a parent present, a course passed, a court order) that the rule line names but the tool cannot check.
- It does not cover city or county rules (curfews, local tattoo or business ordinances) or private policies such as rental-car age minimums.
- It does not track pending bills. A rule changes on this page only after it is enacted and we confirm it at an official source.
- It does not show the age of consent. That is covered, with its legal context, on our age of consent page.
- It does not cover every age rule. Firearms, cannabis, casino gambling, the minimum age to adopt and curfews are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age of majority in Utah?
State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18. (Utah Code § 15-2-1)
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Utah?
Utah issues a learner permit, valid for 18 months, at 15. (Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(2))
How old do you have to be to drive alone in Utah?
A provisional Class D license for driving alone is available at 16 after six months with a permit. Requires driver education and 40 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night. (Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(7))
How old do you have to be to work in Utah?
Utah lets minors 14 and older work in a wide range of nonhazardous jobs, such as retail and food service. From 12, minors may deliver newspapers and babysit; from 10, deliver newspapers and caddy. Some work has no age limit with a parent's consent. (Utah Code § 34-23-204(1))
Do minors need a work permit in Utah?
This state does not require a work permit. Schools issue age certificates to employers on request. (Utah Code ch. 34-23; § 34-23-209)
How old do you have to be to get a tattoo in Utah?
From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent. With a parent's consent, state law sets no minimum age. A parent or guardian must be present during the tattooing, prove identity and relationship, and sign written permission. Married or emancipated minors are outside the rule. (Utah Code § 76-10-2201(1))
How old do you have to be to get married in Utah?
A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18. The marriage statute sets exceptions only below the age of majority. With a parent's consent and juvenile court authorization, the lowest age to marry is 16. The other party can be no more than 4 years older, and the court cannot authorize it until 72 hours after the petition is filed (Utah Code 81-2-304). (Utah Code § 15-2-1 (age of majority; the marriage statute states only the under-majority exceptions); Utah Code 81-2-301(3))
At what age can you leave school in Utah?
Utah's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday. A child over 16 who finished 8th grade may get a partial release for work or trade school (§ 53G-6-204). (Utah Code §§ 53G-6-201, 53G-6-202(2))
How old do you have to be to buy a lottery ticket in Utah?
This state has no state lottery. (Utah Const. art. VI, § 27)
Sources
- Utah Code § 20A-2-101.1(1)(a)
- Utah Code § 20A-2-101(1)(c)(ii)
- Utah Const. art. VII, § 3(1)
- Utah Code § 15-2-1
- Utah Code § 80-7-103
- Utah Code 75-2-501
- Utah Code 78B-1-105(1)
- Utah Code § 78B-1-108
- Utah Code 81-2-301(3)
- Utah Code § 41-6a-1803(1)(a)(ii)
- Utah Code 81-13-103(6)
- Utah Code § 53-3-210.5(2)
- Utah Driver License Division
- Utah Const. art. VI, § 27
- Utah Code § 80-1-102(7)
- Utah Code §§ 53G-6-201, 53G-6-202(2)
- Utah Code § 76-10-2201
- Utah Code § 34-23-204(1)
- Utah Code ch. 34-23; § 34-23-209
- U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1
- 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)
- 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)
- 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)
- 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)
- 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)
- 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)
- U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2
- U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5
- SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement
- 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)
- 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)
Sources checked on October 21, 2026.
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