Emancipation is not available in every state in the United States. Where it is available, emancipation is a legal process by which minors can attain legal adulthood before reaching the age at which they would normally be considered adults (this is called the “age of majority”). The rights granted to legally emancipated minors might include the ability to sign legally binding contracts, own property, and keep one’s own earnings. However, each state has different laws governing emancipation and some states simply have no law or legal process concerning emancipation. In states where minors wishing to become legally emancipated will have to break new legal ground.
This page is designed to give minors information on the laws and available legal processes regulating emancipation in their state. The information is based on available state legal statutes and in some cases also includes information obtained from various legal aid organizations in that state. Some states have different legal terms for emancipation and can also differ in their definition of the rights granted to an emancipated minor.
A | C | D | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W“Relief of Minor Children from Disabilities of Nonage”
Title 26, Chapter 13
Age of Majority: 19; Relief of Minor Children from Disabilities is only available to minors over age of 18
There is no emancipation status in this state
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation of Minors Law Family Code Sections 7000-7002
Emancipated Juvenile
Title 19, Article 1
Order of Emancipation
Title 46b-150
There is no emancipation status in this state
There is no emancipation status in this district
Removal of the Disabilities of Nonage
Chapter 743
Must be at least 16 years of age
Must have a petition filed by the minor’s natural or legal guardian or, if there is none, by a guardian ad litem.
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Chapter 577-25.Division 3, Title 31?
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation of Mature Minors Act
Chapter 750, ILCS 30
Must be at least 16 years old
There is no emancipation status for this state
There is no emancipation status for this state
District Court May Confer Rights of Majority
Chapter 38, Article 108
There is no emancipation status for this state
Emancipation
Civil Code Section 365, Chapter 2 (and other sections): Louisiana statutes on-line only allow the visitor to view one small section of the law at a time. Search the civil code using the keyword “emancipation” in order to find all of the sections pertaining to emancipation.
Title 15. Part 6.
Maine Juvenile Code Chapter 511. Interim Care; Runaways) %
Emancipation
Family Law Code 3-826.1
Emancipation
Chapter 201, Section 5
Emancipation of Minors Act
Chapter 722.4
There is no emancipation status in this state
There is no emancipation status in this state
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Title 41, Chapter 3, Part 4
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Emancipation
Title 1, Chapter 21-B-2
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Chapter 32A, Article 21
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Chapter 7B, Sub-chapter 4, Article 35
There is no emancipation status in this state
There is no emancipation status in this state
Confirmation of Majority Rights
Gives minors the legal right to contract, but rarely granted in court.
Emancipation
Chapter 419B
Laws on Emancipation vary from county to county
Please refer to JLC’s fact sheet on emancipation in Pennsylvania.
Emancipation
Title 14, Chapter 1-59.1
There is no emancipation status for this state
Emancipation
Title 25, Chapter 25-5-18 thru -27
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Title 12, Part 10, Chapter 217
Emancipation
Title 16.1-331
Emancipation
Revised Code of Washington: 13.64
Emancipation
Chapter 49, Article 7-27
There is no emancipation status in this state
Emancipation
Title 14, Chapter 1, Article 2
Last updated: Summer 2007
