Jump to content

Age of majority

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Major (law))

Ages of majority (2023):
  21 or older
  20
  19
  18
  17
  16 or younger

The age of majority is the threshold of legal adulthood as recognized or declared in law.[1] It is the moment when a person ceases to be considered a minor and assumes legal control over their person, actions, and decisions, thus terminating the control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over them. Most countries set the age of majority at 18, but some jurisdictions have a higher age and others lower. The word majority here refers to having greater years and being of full age as opposed to minority, the state of being a minor. The law in a given jurisdiction may not actually use the term "age of majority".

The term typically refers to a collection of laws bestowing the status of adulthood. Those under the age of majority are referred to as minors and are legally forbidden from enjoying certain privileges or rights (e.g. the right to vote, buy and/or drink alcohol, marry, sign a binding contract). However, there are exceptions in which those who have reached the age of majority can be referred to as minors. For example, if a country's age of majority is 18, but the legal drinking age is 21, then a 20 year old would still be considered a "minor" in situations involving buying or consuming alcohol. Another example is the age to consent to sexual activity, which in most of the cases in the world is under the age of majority. In other cases, it can be above the age of majority, and in that case the younger part, despite having already reached the legal adulthood, would be still referred to as minor or underage to consent to sexual activity.[2][3][4]

If a minor attempts to use adult privileges without being of age, they have committed a crime. Therefore, they could be prosecuted as a criminal and sentenced to fines or, more rarely, incarceration.

Age of majority should not be confused with the age of maturity, age of sexual consent, age of criminal responsibility, marriageable age, school-leaving age, legal working age, drinking age, driving age, voting age, smoking age, gambling age, etc., which each may be independent of and set at a different age from the age of majority.

Explanation

[edit]

The term "age of majority" can be confused with the similar concept of the age of license,[5] which also pertains to the threshold of adulthood but in a much broader and more abstract manner. As a legal term of art, "license" means "permission", which leads to implications of a legally enforceable right or privilege. Thus, an age of license is an age at which one has legal permission from a given government to participate in certain activities or rituals. The age of majority, on the other hand, is a legal recognition that one is gradually becoming an adult, not necessarily stating that one is legally allowed to partake in any or all activities specified for adults.[6]

Many ages of license are correlated to the age of majority to recognize the transition to legal adulthood, but they are nonetheless legally distinct concepts. One need not have attained the age of majority to have permission to exercise certain rights and responsibilities. Some ages of license may be higher, lower, or match the age of majority. For example, to purchase alcoholic beverages, the age of license is 21 in all U.S. states. Another example is the voting age, which prior to 1971 was 21 in the US, as was the age of majority in all or most states. After the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18, the age of majority was lowered to 18 in most states. In most US states, one may obtain a driver's license, consent to sexual activity, and gain full-time employment at age 16 even though the age of majority is 18 in most states.[7] In the Republic of Ireland the age of majority is 18, but one must be over 21 to stand for election to the Houses of the Oireachtas.[8] Also, in Portugal the age of majority is 18, but one must be at least 25 years of age to run for public office and 35 to run for president.[9] A child who is legally emancipated by a court of competent jurisdiction automatically attains to their maturity upon the signing of the court order. Only emancipation confers the status of maturity before a person has actually reached the age of majority.

In almost all places, minors who marry are automatically emancipated. Some places also do the same for minors who are in the armed forces or who have a certain degree or diploma.[10] Minors who are emancipated may be able to choose where they live, sign contracts, and have control over their financial and medical decisions and generally make decisions free from parental control but are not exempt from age requirements set forth in law for other rights. For example, a minor can emancipate at 16 in the US (or younger depending on the state) but must still wait until 18 to vote or buy a firearm, and 21 to buy alcohol or tobacco.

The age 18 is identified as the age of adulthood in the Jewish Talmud relative to having sound judgement to make monetary decisions as a judge.[11] Here, the Talmud says that every judgment Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah (c. 640–609 BCE), issued from his coronation until the age of eighteen was reversed and he returned the money to the parties whom he judged liable, due to concern that in his youth he may not have judged the cases correctly. Other Jewish commentators have discussed whether age 13 or 18 is the age to make decisions in a Jewish Court.[12]

The highest known age of majority historically was around age 30, during the age of the Roman Empire, where young males were placed under the guardianship of adults known as "Curatores" whose permission was needed to engage in formal acts and sign contracts until the youth turned 30.[13] This was later lowered to 25, and eventually 21 became the common age of majority. In some places historically, 23 or 27 could have also been this age.[14] It has also been as low as 14 or 15 years of age. They are somewhat arbitrarily chosen, but have rarely been designated outside of this approximate age range. It has not always been 18 or 21 but a variety of ages. In Medieval England, the age of majority was 15 but later raised to 21.[15][16][17]

Since 2015, some countries have lowered the voting age to 16.[18][19] Some countries, like England and Wales, are even considering lowering the age of majority to 16,[20] similar to Cuba.[21] The main argument for lowering is that, on average, young people are much more educated (both because of better individual educational outcomes and being raised by more educated parents) than in the past (the same argument was made in the 1970s when most countries lowered the age of majority from 21 to 18, which remains the age used for most countries).[citation needed][22] In addition, compared to the past, information is much more easily accessible as a result of the spread of the Internet, which can be accessed through both the personal computer and the smartphone.

A person reaches the age of majority at midnight at the beginning of the day of that person's relevant birthday; under English common law this was not always the case.[23][better source needed]

Civil law

[edit]

In many countries minors can be emancipated: depending on jurisdiction, this may happen through acts such as marriage, attaining economic self-sufficiency, obtaining an educational degree or diploma, or participating in a form of military service. In the United States, all states have some form of emancipation of minors.[24]

The age of majority in countries (or administrative divisions) in the order of lowest to highest:

Up to age 15

[edit]

Age 16

[edit]

Age 17

[edit]

Age 18

[edit]
Coming of Age Day in Japan. The ceremony still targets age 20, even though age of majority was decreased from 20 to 18.

Age 19

[edit]

Age 20

[edit]

Age 21 and above

[edit]

Religious law

[edit]

Religions have their own rules as to the age of maturity, when a child is regarded to be an adult, at least for ritual purposes:

  • Islam: Different Islamic fiqh schools have different criteria for adulthood. In general, males are considered adults when they have manifested specific physical attributes such as nocturnal emission and growth of pubic hair. Females are considered adults when they manifest physical attributes such as menstruation, growth of pubic hair, and nocturnal emission. However, in the absence of these physical attributes in either male or female, different schools of fiqh have different rulings on the age limit after which the male or female are considered adults even if they do not manifest any of the physical attributes earlier mentioned. Some schools rule based on the limit being 18 years for both males and females, some 18 for males and 17 for females, and some 15 for both. There is also a distinction in Islamic law between the state of adulthood and the ability to have sexual intercourse.
  • Judaism: The age of majority is 13 years for boys (bar mitzvah) and 12 years for girls (bat mitzvah) for religious purposes.[135] However, Jewish law follows (according to some interpretations) the law of the land if there is a difference, such as in marriage age.
  • Christianity (only the Roman Catholic Church): 18 years.[136]
  • Baháʼí Faith: The spiritual age of maturity for every person born into a Baháʼí family is 15. At 15, the person is old enough to decide for themselves what religion they want to be, so they could decide to stay a Baháʼí or choose a different path. At this age, Baháʼís are considered youth (as opposed to children before 15). Baháʼí youth are 15–21 years old. Once a Baháʼí turns 15, if they declare themselves a Baháʼí, they are expected to recite a daily obligatory prayer and participate in the fast.[137] Baha'is can vote in Baha'i elections once they turn 18 (recently changed from 21).[138]

Effects

[edit]
  • End of the parental authority and guardianship (in some legal systems it causes the pre-end of said institutions).
  • Right to be considered legally capable.
  • Right to freely manage and dispose of their goods, buy and sell properties and sign rental contracts.
  • Right to inherit, manage the inheritance and, in countries where testaments exist, the possibility of testament.
  • Right to receive bank credits and have bank accounts.
  • Right to demand public authority.
  • Possibility of being sued for not paying debts or other contracts.
  • Possibility of being a member of the jury (in countries where trials use a jury).
  • Possibility of being sued for child support and medical bills due to the birth of a child.[139]

In some countries, reaching the age of majority carries other rights and obligations, although in other countries, these rights and obligations may be had before or after reaching the aforementioned age.

  • Right to vote and to run for government office: although in some countries the minimum voting age may be lower and in other countries there are age restrictions to be elected to certain public offices.
  • Right to drive a car: it may vary in some countries with respect to the age of majority.
  • Right to drink alcoholic drinks and to smoke tobacco or marijuana: In some countries, the legal drinking age and the smoking age differ from the age of adulthood.
  • Right to buy and possess firearms or guns.
  • Right to work, pursue trade, profession or industry: may vary in some countries with respect to the age of majority.
  • Right to freely leave the country (in some European countries like Italy, minors can leave the country unimpeded).[140]
  • In trials, the possibility of being treated as an adult, found guilty and sentenced to prison: It may vary in some countries with respect to the age of majority.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Amendments to existing laws have been drafted to raise majority age to 18. However, the body is considered to be developed and to have reached adulthood at age 15 in Yemen.
  2. ^ Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991
  3. ^ Article 25. Minor and adolescent: minor is the person who has not turned eighteen. This Code refers to the adolescent as the minor who turned thirteen years of age.
  4. ^ Article 24. The age of majority shall be 18.
  5. ^ Those aged 16 or older can be emancipated upon marriage, by being approved for civil service, by graduating college or for being economically independent.
  6. ^ §30 Majority. An individual acquires full legal capacity upon reaching the age of majority. The age of majority is reached upon reaching eighteen years of age. Before reaching the age of majority, full legal capacity is acquired by being granted legal capacity or by entering into marriage. Legal capacity acquired by entering into marriage is not terminated upon termination or invalidation of marriage.
  7. ^ A minor is an individual of either sex who is not yet eighteen years old.
  8. ^ The age of majority is 15 Islamic lunar years for boys, and nine lunar years for girls.
  9. ^ Iraq's Civil Code defines the age of majority as 18. However, due to the Iraqi constitution and existing national instability, Note 1 (above) may apply as courts may choose between Shari'ah law and the Civil Code.
  10. ^ Constitution of Kenya. Article 260. "Adult" means an individual who has attained the age of eighteen years, "child" means an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years. Age of Majority Act, 1977. Section 2 Age of majority. A person shall be of full age and cease to be under any disability by reason of age on attaining the age of eighteen years.
  11. ^ Constitution of Kosovo. Articles 45 and 71. Every citizen who is 18 years old or older can vote (article 45) and is eligible to become a candidate (article 71) for the Assembly of Kosovo
  12. ^ Or at 16 or 17, upon marriage.
  13. ^ Or upon marriage, which, for women, can happen as early as 16. The legal voting age is invariably 18.
  14. ^ Minors are emancipated upon marriage or in case of working on a labour agreement or being engaged in business activities.
  15. ^ Children's Act, 2005 Article 1. "child" means a person under the age of 18 years, article 17. Age of majority – A child, whether male or female, becomes a major upon reaching the age of 18 years.
  16. ^ Constitution article 12. Spaniards come legally of age at eighteen years. Civil Code article 315. Legal age begins upon turning eighteen. The date of birth shall be included in full for the calculation of legal age.
  17. ^ In all states and Washington, D.C., the legal alcohol purchase and smoking age is 21.
  18. ^ In the light of article 16 of the Family Code, which provides that majority is attained at the age of 21 years, it may be inferred that the status of minor is retained in Honduras until the age of 21. However, according to article 36 of the Constitution of Honduras, all Hondurans over 18 years of age are citizens. This means that the quality of citizen is attained while a person is still a minor, thus involving the assumption of the status of minor adult. The latter contracts all the obligations of persons of full age and acquires the specific rights that are reserved for such persons, with a few exceptions.[126]
  19. ^ In Mississippi, 18 is the age of majority for executors and administrators, and "in case letters testamentary or of administration shall be granted to any one under twenty-one (21) years, the bond executed by such person for the performance of the duties shall be as valid and binding as if such person were of full age." By contrast, any person between the ages of 18 and 21 is defined as a minor for trusts and estates, and transfers to that person.[134]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "age of majority". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  2. ^ "CHAPTER 545* LIQUOR CONTROL ACT". cga.ct.gov. 'Minor' means any person under twenty-one years of age.
  3. ^ "Offenses Against the Family". law.justia.com. As used in this section, minor means a person under twenty-one (21) years of age.
  4. ^ "Age of Consent by Country 2024". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  5. ^ Senn, David R.; Weems, Richard A. (22 January 2013). Manual of Forensic Odontology (Fifth ed.). CRC Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-4398-5133-3.
  6. ^ Cornick, Matthew S. (1995). Practical Guide to Family Law. Cengage Learning. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-314-04451-8.
  7. ^ "When You Turn 18: A Survival Guide for Teenagers" (PDF). The State Bar of California. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2019.
  8. ^ "At what age can I?". Citizens Information Board (Bord um Fhaisnéis do Shaoránaigh / BFS). Dublin. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (Seventh Revision)" (PDF). 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2014.
  10. ^ Stasiak, Bethany (2002). "Statutory and Judicial Emancipation of Minors in the United States" (PDF). Northeastern University School of Law.
  11. ^ "Shabbat 56: The William Davidson Talmud". Sefaria.
  12. ^ Rand, Ben-Zion, ed. (1 May 2020). "Eighteen and older only" (PDF). Daf Yomi Digest. No. 119.
  13. ^ Laes, Christian; Strubbe, Johan, eds. (2014), "Minority, majority: youth, divisions of the human life cycle, and Roman law", Youth in the Roman Empire: The Young and the Restless Years?, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 23–40, doi:10.1017/CBO9781107270121.003, ISBN 978-1-107-04888-1, retrieved 1 October 2024
  14. ^ Habsburg Legal Services (23 October 2020). "Dutch Historical Age of Majority or Maturity". Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  15. ^ Eyben, Emiel (1981). "Was the Roman "Youth" an "Adult" socially ?". L'Antiquité Classique. 50: 328–350. doi:10.3406/antiq.1981.2015.
  16. ^ Hamilton, Vivian (2016). "Adulthood in Law and Culture". Tulane Law Review. 91: 55–97 – via William & Mary Law School.
  17. ^ James, T. E. (1960). "The Age of Majority". The American Journal of Legal History. 4 (1): 22–33. doi:10.2307/844549. JSTOR 844549.
  18. ^ "Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013 (repealed)".
  19. ^ "Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015".
  20. ^ Natasha (12 November 2021). "Family Justice Council looks at lowering the age of majority in upcoming debate". Researching Reform. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Cuba". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  22. ^ Zajacova, Anna; Lawrence, Elizabeth M. (12 January 2018). "The relationship between education and health: reducing disparities through a contextual approach". Annual Review of Public Health. 39: 273–289. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044628. PMC 5880718. PMID 29328865.
  23. ^ Chambers, Wilberforce (7 January 2020). "Some Oddities of the Law on Age: So You Thought You Reached Age 21 on Your 21st Birthday?". Lexology. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  24. ^ Nizipli, Sahra (March 2020). "Emancipation of minors". Legal Information Institute.
  25. ^ "Indonesia". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  26. ^ "Yemen". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  27. ^ "Cambodia". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  28. ^ "Myanmar". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  29. ^ "Age of majority". 12 November 2017.
  30. ^ "Vietnamese lawmakers vote to keep age of majority at 16". Thanh Niên. 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016.
  31. ^ "North Korea". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  32. ^ "Timor-Leste". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  33. ^ "Ligjet e Republikes se Shqiperise" [Civil Code of the Republic of Albania]. ligjet.info (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 12 March 2014.
  34. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children" (PDF). Arquivo.pt (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 February 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2008.
  35. ^ "Age of Majority (CAP. 11)" (PDF). Laws of Antigua and Barbuda. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  36. ^ Roble, María Rosa (July 2016). Código Civil y Comercial de la Nación (PDF) (in Spanish) (2nd ed.). D – Ministerio de Justicia y Derechos Humanos de la Nación. ISBN 978-987-3720-13-0.
  37. ^ "Constitution of the Republic of Angola" (PDF). Biblioteka Sejmowa. 21 January 2010.
  38. ^ "Children's Rights: Australia". U.S. Library of Congress. Section: Who is a Child?.
  39. ^ "Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch" [General Civil Code] (PDF). Youth Policy (in German). 2001.
  40. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Bahamas". Interpol. 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  41. ^ "BAHRAIN 2021 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT" (PDF). Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
  42. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Barbados". Interpol. 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2001. Retrieved 27 September 2001.
  43. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Belarus". Interpol. 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  44. ^ "Code Civil: Livre I, Titre XI, Article 488 De la majorité". Index législatif. 19 January 1990. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  45. ^ "Belize: Minimum age at which an individual is legally entitled to vote; consume alcohol; engage in sexual activity; obtain a passport without parental consent; leave the country without parental consent; contract marriage without parental consent; age at which individuals become eligible for conscription; punishment for statutory rape (1997–2000)". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 20 March 2002. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  46. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Bosnia and Herzegovina". Interpol. 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  47. ^ Clarke, Stephen (August 2007). "Canada". Children's Rights (PDF). Washington, D.C.: The Law Library of Congress. pp. 51–60.
  48. ^ "Children's Rights: China". Library of Congress. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  49. ^ "Age of Majority (Related Provisions) Ordinance". Hong Kong e-Legislation. 1 October 1990.
  50. ^ "The New Civil Code of the Czech Republic: Book One, Title I, Chapter 1, Section 30: Age of majority" (PDF). Ministry of Justice. 3 February 2012.
  51. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Denmark". Interpol. 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  52. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Djibouti". Interpol (in French). 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
  53. ^ "Ley No. 136-03: Código para la protección de los derechos de los Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes" [Law No. 136-03: Code for the protection of the rights of Boys, Girls and Adolescents] (PDF). Gaceta Oficial de República Dominicana (in Spanish). 7 August 2003 – via Youth Policy.
  54. ^ "Egyptian cabinet approves amendment to lower age of legal adulthood to 18". Ahram Online. 15 January 2015.
  55. ^ "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: El Salvador". U.S. Department of State. 23 February 2000. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  56. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Finland" (PDF). Interpol. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2007.
  57. ^ "Code Civil: Livre Ier, Titre X, Article 388 De la minorité". Legifrance (in French). 4 December 2013.
  58. ^ § 2 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch(BGB).
  59. ^ "Greek Civil Code". Ministry of Justice (in Greek). Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  60. ^ "Guinea-Bissau Country Profile". Family Online Safety Institute Global Resource & Information Directory. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  61. ^ "The Indian Majority Act, 1875". Indian Kanoon.
  62. ^ "Iran". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  63. ^ Stigall, Dan E. (2006). "Iraqi Civil Law: Its Sources, Substance, and Sundering" (PDF). Journal of Transnational Law & Policy. 16 (1). Tallahassee, Florida: Florida State University College of Law. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2014.
  64. ^ Age of Majority Act, 1985. Oireachtas. Retrieved 3 August 2010. Irish Statute Book
  65. ^ Jozuka, Emiko (15 June 2018). "Japan lowers its age of adulthood to 18". CNN. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  66. ^ "Гражданский кодекс Республики Казахстан (Общая часть), принят Верховным Советом Республики Казахстан 27 декабря 1994 года (с изменениями и дополнениями по состоянию на 02.04.2019 г.)". Информационная система ПАРАГРАФ (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  67. ^ "The Constitution of Kenya, 2010" (PDF). Biblioteka Sejmowa.
  68. ^ "Republic of Kenya Age of Majority Act, 1977 [Revised 2012]" (PDF). Youth Policy.
  69. ^ "Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo" (PDF). Kosovar ministry of local administration. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  70. ^ "Кыргыз Республикасынын Жарандык Кодекси". minjust.gov.kg. Кыргыз Республикасынын Юстиция министрлигине. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  71. ^ a b Chigunta, Francis; Schnurr, Jamie; James-Wilson, David; Torres, Veronica (2005). "Being "Real" about Youth Entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa: Implications for Adults, Institutions and Sector Structures" (PDF). International Labour Office. p. 3, Table 1.1. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  72. ^ "Age of Majority Act 1971". The Commissioner of Law Revision, Malaysia. 22 April 1971. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  73. ^ "National law and policies on minimum ages – Malta". APC.org. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015.
  74. ^ "Malta Civil Code Chapter 16, Title V, Section 157: Of Minority". Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015.
  75. ^ "Codigo Civil Federal (Antes: Codigo Civil Para el Distrito y Territorios Federales en Materia Comun y Para Toda la Republica en Materia Federal)" [Federal Civil Code (Before: Civil Code for the District and Federal Territories in Common Matters and for All the Republic in Federal Matters)]. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  76. ^ Tjatjara, Bernard (15 February 2019). "Namibia: Age of Majority Now 18 in Namibian Law". AllAfrica. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020.
  77. ^ "Dutch Civil Code: Book 1, Article 1:233: Minors". Dutch Civil Law.
  78. ^ "Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties Under Article 44 of the Convention, Section 57" (PDF). Committee on the Rights of the Child. 12 October 1993 – via Youth Policy.
  79. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Oman" (PDF). Interpol. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2007.
  80. ^ "Amendment in the Majority Act, 1875" (PDF). Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan.
  81. ^ "Palau Consolidated Legislation, 21 PNC § 105". Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute.
  82. ^ "Palestine". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  83. ^ "Ley Nº 2169 / Establece La Mayoria de Edad". Biblioteca y Archivo del Congreso de la Nación (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  84. ^ "Republic Act No. 6809: An Act Lowering the Age of Majority From Twenty-One to Eighteen Years". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 13 December 1989.
  85. ^ "Age of Sexual Consent – Poland". AgeOfConsent.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  86. ^ "Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Part I, Section I, Subsection 2, Chapter 3, Article 21 The Active Capacity of the Citizen". Russian-civil-code.com. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  87. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Saint Kitts & Nevis" (PDF). Interpol. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2007.
  88. ^ "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  89. ^ "Age of adulthood raised to 18". Arab News. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  90. ^ Civil Law (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 7 of 2009), section 6
  91. ^ Carina. "You and Your Rights: Turning 18". Black Sash. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  92. ^ "Children's Act 38 of 2005" (PDF). Health Professions Council of South Africa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  93. ^ "Constitution of Spain, 1978" (PDF). Biblioteka Sejmowa.
  94. ^ "Spanish Civil Code" (PDF). Ministry of Justice. 2009 – via Youth Policy.
  95. ^ "Age of Majority in Sri Lanka". Lawnet.lk. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  96. ^ "Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan: End Juvenile Death Penalty". Human Rights Watch. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  97. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Sweden" (PDF). Interpol. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2007.
  98. ^ "Swiss Civil Code of 10 December 1907" (PDF). Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation – via Youth Policy.
  99. ^ "القانون رقم 4 لعام 2019 القاضي بتعديل بعض مواد قانون الأحوال الشخصية الصادر بالمرسوم التشريعي رقم 59 لعام 1953وتعديلاته". بوابة الحكومة الإلكترونية السورية. الحكومة الإلكترونية السورية. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  100. ^ "قانون 20 المتضمن تعديل بعض المواد من قانون الأحوال الشخصية السوري". Presidency of the Council of Ministries.
  101. ^ "القانون 59 لعام 1953 قانون الأحوال الشخصية". مجلس الشعب السوري.
  102. ^ "Taiwan lowers age of majority to 18". Taiwan News. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  103. ^ "Tajikistan". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  104. ^ "Tunisie, la majorité civile est désormais de 18 ans". Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  105. ^ "Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children: Turkey" (PDF). Interpol. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2007.
  106. ^ "3. State Party Reports: Uganda". UNICEF. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  107. ^ "Ukraine – Age of Consent to Sexual Activity". AgeOfConsent.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  108. ^ a b c "Family Law Reform Act 1969". Gov.uk. 25 July 1969. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  109. ^ "Age of Majority Act (Northern Ireland) 1969". Legislation.gov.uk. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  110. ^ "The Age of Majority (Alderney) Law, 2001". Guernsey Legal Resources.
  111. ^ "Proceedings" (PDF). House of Keys Official Report. 123 (14): 694. 7 March 2006. ISSN 1742-2264. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012.
  112. ^ "Age of Majority (Jersey) Law 1999". Jersey Legal Information Board.
  113. ^ "Minors Act 1962" (PDF). Gibraltar Laws. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  114. ^ "Age of Majority". US Legal. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  115. ^ "Uzbekistan". Youth Policy (country fact sheet). Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  116. ^ "Guide du passager". Direction Générale de Surêté Nationale (in French). 2006. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012.
  117. ^ "Civil Code of the Republic of Korea". Legal Knowledge Information System (in Korean). Archived from the original on 11 July 2012.
  118. ^ "Alabama Code: Title 26, Chapter 1, Section 26-1-1". Justia. 22 July 1975. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  119. ^ "Nebraska Age of Majority Law". US Legal. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  120. ^ "Age of Majority Act 1970, s 4". New Zealand Legislation. 2 December 1970. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  121. ^ "Cameroon". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  122. ^ "Ivory Coast". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  123. ^ "Age of Majority Act, 1853". eSwatini Legal Information Institute (legal document). December 1998.
  124. ^ "Gabon". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  125. ^ "Grenada". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  126. ^ "State Party Reports: Definition Of The Child". UNICEF. 20 February 1998.
  127. ^ "Kuwait". Youth Policy (country fact sheet).
  128. ^ "Shortage of Professionals Caused by Immigration to South Africa, Delegation Says". The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 18 January 2001.
  129. ^ "Ordonnance 62-041 du 19 septembre 1962 relative aux dispositions générales de droit interne et de droit international privé". Organisation internationale de la francophonie (in French). 19 September 1962. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008.
  130. ^ "Código civil de la República de Nicaragua (Civil code of the Republic of Nicaragua)". 2019.
  131. ^ "COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD EXAMINES INITIAL REPORT OF NIGER". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Treaty Bodies. Retrieved 24 May 2002.
  132. ^ "ISLAND RETURNS ADULT AGE TO 21". Orlando Sentinel. 19 August 2001. Officials announced last week that Gov. Sila Calderon has signed a law that raises the age of majority to 21, less than a year after it was lowered to 18 under former Gov. Pedro Rossello ... Puerto Ricans who are 18 to 20 years old have until Oct. 15 to declare themselves emancipated adults or they will become minors again, [Secretary of State Ferdinand] Mercado said.
  133. ^ Title 1, Chapter 3, Section 1-3-27, 2018 Mississippi Code
  134. ^ "Mississippi Age of Majority Law". US Legal. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  135. ^ "The age requirement for Bar/Bat mitzvah". My Jewish Learning.
  136. ^ "CIC can. 97 § 1". Code of Canon Law., "CIC can. 97 § 1". Codex Iuris Canonici (in Latin). (1983).
  137. ^ "11 April 1985 – [To an individual] | Bahá'í Reference Library". www.bahai.org.
  138. ^ "Riḍván 2021 – To the Bahá'ís of the World | Bahá'í Reference Library". www.bahai.org.
  139. ^ "Legal Rights and Responsibilities Manual" (PDF). Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  140. ^ "Travel documents for minors". Your Europe - Citizens. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
[edit]