Legal Responsibilities of an 18-Year-Old

Age of Majority

• Age of majority means you have control over your person, your actions and your decisions. It is the end of all legal authority or responsibility of your parents over you.
  
  

No Drinking But Lots of Other Benefits

• In the United States, a person becomes an adult when he turns 18, although he can not drink alcohol until he is 21. As an adult, you can vote, make a will and make end-of-life decisions on your own. You can be an organ donor, sign contracts, obtain medical treatment or enlist in the armed forces without your parents' consent. An 18 year old is considered completely independent of parental control. You are able to get credit in your own name. When you turn 18, you can buy stocks and bonds in your own name as well.
  
  

Selective Service and Other Responsibilities

• All 18 year old males must register with the Selective Service, which can be done online. If you are tried in court, you are tried as an adult, not a juvenile. You are eligible to serve on jury duty. You can be sued by others and your parents are no longer under any obligation to support you.
  
  

Marriage

• An 18 year old can get married without her parents' approval.
  
  

Elections and Elected Office

• At age 18, you can vote in elections for local, state, and federal offices. However, you may not be able to run for some elected offices until you turn 21 or even older for some positions.
  
  

School

• You can leave school of your own volition when you are 18.