Turning Eighteen
23 Pa.C.S. 5101 — 18 to make a binding contract and to sue and be sued, and the other ages set in other sections
In Pennsylvania, any individual 18 years of age and older has the right to enter into binding and legally enforceable contracts, and the defense of minority is not available to them. Except where the law provides otherwise, an individual 18 years of age and older is deemed an adult and may sue and be sued as such.
| At 18 | What the statute says |
|---|---|
| At 18A contract | What the statute saysBinding and legally enforceable, with no defense of minority |
| At 18A lawsuit | What the statute saysDeemed an adult, who may sue and be sued as such, except where the law provides otherwise |
| At 18A will | What the statute saysAny person 18 or more years of age who is of sound mind may make one |
| At 18A marriage license | What the statute saysNone is issued if either applicant is under 18 years of age |
| At 18Registering to vote | What the statute saysOpen to an individual who will be at least 18 on the day of the next election and meets the section's other qualifications |
Support is not tied to the birthday alone. Parents are liable for the support of their children who are unemancipated and 18 years of age or younger, and the same section says parents may be liable for the support of their children who are 18 years of age or older.
Ages set for specific purposes elsewhere, such as buying alcohol or tobacco, carrying a firearm and some licenses, are not on this page, and neither is how a support order for a child over 18 is set or ended. How a particular age rule applies to a particular person is a question for a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Sources for this section (5)
- 23 Pa.C.S. 5101 — Attainment of full age
- 20 Pa.C.S. 2501 — Who may make a will
- 23 Pa.C.S. 1304 — Restrictions on issuance of license
- 23 Pa.C.S. 4321 — Liability for support
- 25 Pa.C.S. 1301 — Qualifications to register
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.