{"id":374905,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-01-24T16:07:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T21:07:39","slug":"new-hampshire-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Hampshire Legal Ages Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

State laws dictate what age individuals must be to get married, enter contracts, take out student loans, or make other legal decisions. Those under the "age of majority," or minors, are considered incapable of making such decisions in the eyes of the law.<\/p>\r\n

The state of New Hampshire recognizes the age of majority as age 18. When a minor reaches age 18, they are considered adults thereafter. State laws also govern a minor’s ability to become emancipated from their parents or legal guardians, give consent for medical treatment, purchase and consume alcohol, and other legal matters.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of the legal age statutes in the state of New Hampshire.<\/p>\r\n

New Hampshire Legal Age Laws: At a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Additional provisions of New Hampshire laws setting legal ages for minors are listed in the following table. See FindLaw’s Emancipation of Minors<\/a> section for additional articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Age of Majority<\/td>\r\n18 (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 21-B:1)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Eligibility for Emancipation<\/td>\r\n
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  • A marriage is considered evidence of a minor’s emancipation (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 21-B:3)<\/li>\r\n
  • A person who was emancipated in a different state is also considered emancipated once they relocate to New Hampshire (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 21-B:2)<\/li>\r\n
  • A person age 16 or older may petition the court for an order granting limited emancipation to them; limited emancipation may be granted if it is in the minor’s best interest to be emancipated, as determined by the court (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 461-B:4 et seq.)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Contracts by Minors<\/td>\r\n
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  • The minor can join with their spouse in the release of homestead interests (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 460:4)<\/li>\r\n
  • Minors may contract to take out student loans (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 193.26)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Minors’ Ability to Sue<\/td>\r\nA minor may sue if they have a representative, such as a next friend or court-appointed guardian ad litem; all petitions for approval of settlement actions on behalf of minors will be signed by the parent, next friend, or guardian of the minor (N.H. Civil Rule 40<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Minors’ Consent to Medical Treatment<\/td>\r\n
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  • Minors age 12 or older may consent to drug treatment (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 318-B:12-a)<\/li>\r\n
  • Minors age 14 or older may voluntarily submit themselves to medical diagnosis and treatment of a sexually transmitted disease without the knowledge or consent of a parent or legal guardian (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 141-C:18)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Legal Age for Alcohol, Tobacco, E-cigarette Purchase and\/or Consumption<\/td>\r\n21 (N.H. Rev. Stat. \u00a7 175:1<\/a>)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n