By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last reviewed January 25, 2023
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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.
The state of Utah recognizes the age of majority of age 18. When a minor reaches age 18, they are considered an adult thereafter. State laws also govern a minor's ability to become emancipated from their parents or legal guardians, give consent for medical treatment, and other legal matters.
This article provides a brief overview of Utah's legal age statutes.
The following table details the primary legal age laws in Utah. See FindLaw's Emancipation of Minors section for additional articles and resources.
| Age of Majority | 18 (U.C.A. § 15-2-1) |
| Eligibility for Emancipation |
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| Contracts by Minors |
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| Minors' Ability to Sue | Minors may not bring a cause of action while under the age of 18 or mentally incompetent without a legal guardian (U.C.A. § 78B-2-108) |
| Minor's Consent to Medical Treatment | Minors can consent to sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD) testing and treatment. A minor can consent to immunizations, usually, if married, emancipated, a parent with custody of a minor child, or the minor is pregnant (U.C.A. § 26-10-9) |
| Legal Age for Alcohol, Tobacco, or E-cigarette Purchase and/or Consumption | 21 (U.C.A. § 32B-4-409) |
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.
If you're under 18 and are interested in getting legally emancipated, you may need to hire an experienced Utah family law attorney to help draft your emancipation petition and represent you in court. Think it over and consult with a trusted adult because it may be easier and cheaper to just wait until you turn 18.
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