By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last reviewed January 24, 2023
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Minors are those under the age of 18 (in most states), and therefore lack the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. But while minors do not have quite the same legal status as adults, they still need access to the law every once in a while. State legal age laws address these needs, such as the ability to consent to birth control or drug treatment or to petition the court for emancipation.
This article provides a brief overview of legal age statutes in North Dakota.
According to North Dakota statute, minors may sue and be sued in a court of law but must be represented by an appointed guardian ad litem. Minors also may consent to emergency medical care, while those 14 and older may consent to drug abuse or treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Additional provisions of North Dakota laws setting legal ages for minors are listed in the following table.
| Age of Majority | 18 (N.D.C.C. § 14-10-01) |
| Eligibility for Emancipation | Automatic emancipation occurs upon marriage or upon the child reaching the age of majority (N.D.C.C. § 14-09-20) |
| Contracts by Minors |
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| Minors' Ability to Sue | Minors may sue or be sued, but the court must appoint a guardian ad litem (N.D.C.C. § 14-10-04) |
| Minors' Consent to Medical Treatment |
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| Legal Age for Alcohol, Tobacco, or E-cigarette Purchase and/or Consumption | 21 (N.D.C.C. § 5-02-06) |
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.
Whether you are looking to file a lawsuit, get emancipated, or get certain types of healthcare, you'll want to know the law in North Dakota and how it may impact your ability to do any of those things. To learn more about the rights and obligations you have as both a young adult and an adult, you should speak with a North Dakota family law attorney.
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