Legal Ages by State — All 50 States
The US is not one-size-fits-all when it comes to legal ages. Browse each milestone for a complete state-by-state comparison.
Driving
Learner's permit starts at 14 in some states, 16 in others. Full license ages vary too.
View all states →Drinking Alcohol
Federal minimum is 21, but states have different exceptions for parental consent situations.
View all states →Voting
18 federally. Several states allow 17-year-olds to pre-register or vote in primaries.
View all states →Marriage
Major reform since 2016 — many states now ban under-18 marriage entirely.
View all states →Signing Contracts
Age of majority is 18 in most states, but 19 in AL & NE, and 21 in Mississippi.
View all states →Gambling
Lottery age is 18 in most states. Casino gambling requires 21 in most, 18 in a few.
View all states →Cannabis
Legal for recreational use at 21 in 24 states. Medical programs vary. Illegal in ~13 states.
View all states →Tobacco & Vaping
Federal law set the minimum at 21 in December 2019. Applies to all states.
View all states →Retirement
Social Security early retirement at 62, full retirement at 67 — federal, same in all states.
View all states →Use Our Free Legal Age Checker
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