Introduction
In the United States, the age at which a child can legally be left alone depends on the state in which one resides. Generally speaking, most states do not have an exact age at which children can be left alone, but instead, consider the maturity of the individual and other factors such as their access to support systems or guardians in case of emergencies. Some states have suggested minimum ages, ranging from 6 years old (in Kansas) to 14 years old (in Illinois). Other states allow parents to make decisions regarding leaving their child alone, taking into account factors such as the child’s emotional and physical maturity, any special needs they may have, whether they are comfortable with being left home alone, and how long they will be alone. All states agree that no child should be left unsupervised if their safety is at risk or if they are unable to care for themselves.
| State | Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone | Minimum Driving Age | Minimum Marriage Age | Minimun Working Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 14 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 12 Years Old |
| Colorado | 12 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Delaware | 12 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Mississippi | 12 Years Old | 15 Years Old | ||
| Michigan | 11 Years Old | 14 Years Old, 9 Months | 16 Years Old | |
| New Mexico | 10 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Oregon | 10 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 17 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Tennessee | 10 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Washington | 10 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 17 Years Old | 18 Years Old |
| North Dakota | 9 Years Old | 14 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 14 Years Old |
| Georgia | 8 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Maryland | 8 Years Old | 15 Years Old, 9 Months | 16 Years Old | |
| North Carolina | 8 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Kansas | 6 Years Old | 14 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Alabama | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Alaska | No Minimum Age | 14 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Arizona | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Arkansas | No Minimum Age | 14 Years Old | 17 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| California | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 18 Years Old | |
| Connecticut | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Florida | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Hawaii | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 15 Years Old | 18 Years Old |
| Idaho | No Minimum Age | 14 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Indiana | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 17 Years Old | |
| Iowa | No Minimum Age | 14 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Kentucky | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 18 Years Old | |
| Louisiana | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 18 Years Old | |
| Maine | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Massachusetts | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 14 Years Old | |
| Minnesota | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Missouri | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Montana | No Minimum Age | 14 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | |
| Nebraska | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 17 Years Old | |
| Nevada | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | 14 Years Old |
| New Hampshire | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 14 Years Old | 18 Years Old |
| New Jersey | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| New York | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Ohio | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Oklahoma | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | |
| Pennsylvania | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Rhode Island | No Minimum Age | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| South Carolina | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| South Dakota | No Minimum Age | 14 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Texas | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | |
| Utah | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Vermont | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| Virginia | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old, 6 Months | 16 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
| West Virginia | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 18 Years Old | |
| Wisconsin | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old | 18 Years Old |
| Wyoming | No Minimum Age | 15 Years Old | 16 Years Old |
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone by State
Alabama
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
Alaska
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
14 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Arizona
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Arkansas
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
14 Years Old
17 Years Old
16 Years Old
California
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
18 Years Old
Colorado
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
12 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Connecticut
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Delaware
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
12 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Florida
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
Georgia
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
8 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
Hawaii
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
15 Years Old
18 Years Old
Idaho
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
14 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Illinois
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
14 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
12 Years Old
Indiana
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
17 Years Old
Iowa
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
14 Years Old
16 Years Old
Kansas
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
6 Years Old
14 Years Old
16 Years Old
Kentucky
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
18 Years Old
Louisiana
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
18 Years Old
Maine
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Maryland
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
8 Years Old
15 Years Old, 9 Months
16 Years Old
Massachusetts
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
14 Years Old
Michigan
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
11 Years Old
14 Years Old, 9 Months
16 Years Old
Minnesota
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Mississippi
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
12 Years Old
15 Years Old
Missouri
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
Montana
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
14 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
Nebraska
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
17 Years Old
Nevada
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
14 Years Old
New Hampshire
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
14 Years Old
18 Years Old
New Jersey
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
New Mexico
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
New York
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
North Carolina
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
8 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
North Dakota
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
9 Years Old
14 Years Old
16 Years Old
14 Years Old
Ohio
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Oklahoma
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
Oregon
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
15 Years Old
17 Years Old
16 Years Old
Pennsylvania
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Rhode Island
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
South Carolina
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
South Dakota
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
14 Years Old
16 Years Old
Tennessee
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
Texas
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
Utah
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Vermont
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Virginia
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old, 6 Months
16 Years Old
16 Years Old
Washington
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
15 Years Old
17 Years Old
18 Years Old
West Virginia
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
18 Years Old
Wisconsin
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old
18 Years Old
Wyoming
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
15 Years Old
16 Years Old