Turning Eighteen
Wis. Stat. 990.01 — an adult at 18, except at 17 for investigating or prosecuting a violation of law
At 18. In the Wisconsin Statutes, an adult is a person who has attained the age of 18 years, and a minor is a person who has not.
At 17, for a violation of law. For investigating or prosecuting a person alleged to have violated a state or federal criminal law, any civil law or a municipal ordinance, an adult is a person who has attained the age of 17 years, and a minor does not include a person who has.
Voting. Every U.S. citizen age 18 or older who has resided in an election district or ward for 28 consecutive days before an election is an eligible elector.
Marriage. Every person who has attained the age of 18 years may marry if otherwise competent. Between the ages of 16 and 18, a marriage license may be issued with the written consent of the person's parents, guardian or custodian, given under oath before the county clerk or verified before a notary public or other official.
Support can run to 19. A court orders support for a child of the parties who is less than 18 years old, or less than 19 years old if the child is pursuing an accredited course of instruction leading to a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Ages set for specific purposes elsewhere, such as buying alcohol or tobacco and some licenses and permits, are not on this page. How a particular age rule applies to a particular person is a question for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- Wis. Stat. 990.01 — Construction of laws; words and phrases
- Wis. Stat. 767.511 — Child support
- Wis. Stat. 6.02 — Qualifications, general
- Wis. Stat. 765.02 — Marriageable age; who may contract
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.