Age of Consent by State

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Introduction

The age of consent in the US, which is generally around 16-18 years old depending on the state, is similar to many other countries around the world.

In the United States, each state has its own laws regarding the age of consent for sexual activities. These laws are designed to protect minors from sexual exploitation and to prevent adults from engaging in sexual activities with children. The age of consent typically ranges from 16 to 18 years old, although there are some variations across states.

While states may set their own age of consent, they only range from sixteen to eighteen. There are eleven states where the age of consent is the same as the age of majority and eight states where the age of consent is seventeen. The remaining states have an age of consent of sixteen.

Some states have also implemented a tiered system, where the age of consent may vary depending on the age difference between the partners involved.

It’s important to note that even if the age of consent in a particular state is 16 years old, engaging in sexual activities with a minor who is under the age of 18 may still be considered illegal if there is a significant age difference between the partners. This is known as statutory rape and is a serious criminal offense that can result in jail time, fines, and registration as a sex offender.

Age of Consent in America

StateAge of ConsentMaximum Age DifferenceMinimum Marriage Age
Alabama 16 Years Old2 Years 16 Years Old
Alaska 16 Years Old3 Years 16 Years Old
Arkansas 16 Years Old3 Years 17 Years Old
Connecticut 16 Years Old2 Years 16 Years Old
District of Columbia 16 Years Old4 Years
Georgia 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Hawaii 16 Years Old5 Years 15 Years Old
Indiana 16 Years Old 17 Years Old
Iowa 16 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Kansas 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Kentucky 16 Years Old 18 Years Old
Maine 16 Years Old5 Years 16 Years Old
Maryland 16 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Massachusetts 16 Years Old 14 Years Old
Michigan 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Minnesota 16 Years Old3 Years 16 Years Old
Mississippi 16 Years Old2 Years
Montana 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Nebraska 16 Years Old 17 Years Old
Nevada 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
New Hampshire 16 Years Old 14 Years Old
New Jersey 16 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
North Carolina 16 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Ohio 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Oklahoma 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Pennsylvania 16 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Rhode Island 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
South Carolina 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
South Dakota 16 Years Old3 Years 16 Years Old
Vermont 16 Years Old 16 Years Old
Washington 16 Years Old2 Years 17 Years Old
West Virginia 16 Years Old4 Years 18 Years Old
Colorado 17 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Illinois 17 Years Old 16 Years Old
Louisiana 17 Years Old3 Years 18 Years Old
Missouri 17 Years Old 15 Years Old
New Mexico 17 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
New York 17 Years Old 16 Years Old
Texas 17 Years Old3 Years 16 Years Old
Wyoming 17 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Arizona 18 Years Old2 Years 16 Years Old
California 18 Years Old
Delaware 18 Years Old 16 Years Old
Florida 18 Years Old 16 Years Old
Idaho 18 Years Old 16 Years Old
North Dakota 18 Years Old 16 Years Old
Oregon 18 Years Old3 Years 17 Years Old
Tennessee 18 Years Old4 Years 16 Years Old
Utah 18 Years Old10 Years 16 Years Old
Virginia 18 Years Old 16 Years Old
Wisconsin 18 Years Old 16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

In addition to setting an age of consent, many states also have laws regulating the maximum age difference between partners who engage in sexual activities. These laws are intended to prevent adults from taking advantage of minors who may not have the emotional maturity to understand the implications of their actions.

The maximum age difference laws typically specify the maximum number of years that can exist between the partners. For example, in Alabama, the maximum age difference is 2 years, while in Utah, it is as high as 10 years.

Minimum Marriage Age

In addition to setting an age of consent, some states also regulate the minimum age at which a person can legally get married. These laws are intended to prevent forced marriages and to ensure that minors are not coerced into entering into marriages that they may not fully understand.

The minimum marriage age typically ranges from 16 to 18 years old, although some states may allow younger individuals to marry with parental consent or a court order. It’s important to note that even if a minor is legally allowed to get married, engaging in sexual activities with their partner may still be considered statutory rape if the age of consent laws are not followed.

Age of Consent by State

Alabama

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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2 Years

16 Years Old

The age of consent in Alabama is 16 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 2 years. Individuals must also be at least 16 years old to marry without parental consent.

Alaska

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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3 Years

16 Years Old

In Alaska, the age of consent is 16 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 3 years. Additionally, individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry without parental consent.

Arizona

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18 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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2 Years

16 Years Old

The age of consent in Arizona is 18 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 2 years. Individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Arkansas

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16 Years Old

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3 Years

17 Years Old

In Arkansas, the age of consent is 16 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 3 years. Additionally, individuals must be at least 17 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

California

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18 Years Old

The age of consent in California is 18 years old.

Colorado

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17 Years Old

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4 Years

16 Years Old

In Colorado, the age of consent is 17 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 4 years. Individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Connecticut

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16 Years Old

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2 Years

16 Years Old

The age of consent in Connecticut is 16 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 2 years. Additionally, individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Delaware

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18 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Delaware, the age of consent is 18 years old. Individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

District of Columbia

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16 Years Old

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4 Years

The age of consent in the District of Columbia is 16 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 4 years.

Florida

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18 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Florida, the age of consent is 18 years old. Individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Georgia

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

The age of consent in Georgia is 16 years old. Additionally, individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Hawaii

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16 Years Old

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5 Years

15 Years Old

In Hawaii, the age of consent is 16 years old, and the maximum age difference between the individuals involved in sexual activity is 5 years. Individuals must be at least 15 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Idaho

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18 Years Old

16 Years Old

The age of consent in Idaho is 18 years old. Additionally, individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Illinois

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17 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Illinois, the age of consent is 17 years old. Individuals must be at least 16 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Indiana

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16 Years Old

17 Years Old

The age of consent in Indiana is 16 years old. Additionally, individuals must be at least 17 years old to marry with parental consent, or 18 years old to marry without parental consent.

Iowa

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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4 Years

16 Years Old

In Iowa, both the age of consent and the minimum age for marriage is 16 years old.

Kansas

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Kansas, both the age of consent and the minimum age for marriage is 16 years old.

Kentucky

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16 Years Old

18 Years Old

In Kentucky, the age of consent is 16 years old, and there are no additional stipulations regarding maximum age difference. However, the minimum age for marriage in Kentucky is 18 years old, unless the individual has the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Louisiana

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17 Years Old

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3 Years

18 Years Old

Louisiana has an age of consent of 17 years old, and individuals who are at least 17 years old but less than 21 may have sexual contact with someone who is not more than 3 years older. The minimum age for marriage in Louisiana is 18 years old, but individuals who are at least 16 years old may marry with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Maine

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16 Years Old

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5 Years

16 Years Old

Maine has an age of consent of 16 years old. The minimum age for marriage in Maine is also 16 years old.

Maryland

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16 Years Old

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4 Years

16 Years Old

Maryland has an age of consent of 16 years old, and individuals who are at least 16 years old but less than 18 may have sexual contact with someone who is not more than 4 years older. Additionally, the minimum age for marriage in Maryland is 16 years old.

Massachusetts

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16 Years Old

14 Years Old

Massachusetts has an age of consent of 16 years old, and there are no additional stipulations regarding maximum age difference. However, the minimum age for marriage in Massachusetts is 18 years old with no exception, as of 2022 legislation passed by Governor Baker in a move to end what is commonly referred to as child marriage.

Michigan

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

Michigan has an age of consent of 16 years old. The minimum age for marriage in Michigan is also 16 years old.

Minnesota

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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3 Years

16 Years Old

Minnesota has an age of consent of 16 years old. The minimum age for marriage in Minnesota is also 16 years old.

Mississippi

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16 Years Old

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2 Years

Mississippi has an age of consent of 16 years old.

Missouri

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17 Years Old

15 Years Old

Missouri has an age of consent of 17 years old, and the minimum age for marriage is 15 years old with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Montana

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Montana, both the age of consent and the minimum age for marriage is 16 years old.

Nebraska

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16 Years Old

17 Years Old

Nebraska has an age of consent of 16 years old, and the minimum age for marriage is 17 years old with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

Nevada

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Nevada, both the age of consent and the minimum age for marriage is 16 years old.

New Hampshire

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16 Years Old

14 Years Old

The age of consent in New Hampshire is 16 years old.

New Jersey

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16 Years Old

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4 Years

16 Years Old

New Jersey has an age of consent of 16 years old. The minimum age for marriage in New Jersey is 16 years old with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

New Mexico

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17 Years Old

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4 Years

16 Years Old

In New Mexico, the age of consent is 17 years old, with a maximum age difference of four years. This means that individuals who are at least 17 years old can legally consent to sexual activity with partners who are up to four years older than them. However, any sexual activity with a minor under the age of 17 is considered statutory rape.

New York

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17 Years Old

16 Years Old

New York sets the age of consent at 17 years old, with no specified maximum age difference. Individuals who are at least 17 years old can legally consent to sexual activity with partners of any age who also consent. However, sexual activity with a person under the age of 17 is considered statutory rape.

North Carolina

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16 Years Old

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4 Years

16 Years Old

North Carolina has an age of consent of 16 years old, with a maximum age difference of four years. Individuals who are at least 16 years old can legally consent to sexual activity with partners who are up to four years older than them. Any sexual activity with a minor under the age of 16 is considered statutory rape.

North Dakota

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18 Years Old

16 Years Old

North Dakota sets the age of consent at 18 years old, with a minimum age difference of zero years. This means that individuals who are at least 18 years old can only legally engage in sexual activity with partners who are also 18 years old or older. Sexual activity with a minor under the age of 18 is considered statutory rape.

Ohio

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Ohio, the age of consent is 16 years old, with no specified maximum age difference. Individuals who are at least 16 years old can legally consent to sexual activity with partners who also consent. However, sexual activity with a person under the age of 16 is considered statutory rape.

Oklahoma

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

Oklahoma sets the age of consent at 16 years old, with no specified maximum age difference. This means that individuals who are at least 16 years old can legally consent to sexual activity with partners who also consent.

Oregon

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18 Years Old

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3 Years

17 Years Old

In Oregon, the age of consent is 18 years old, with a maximum age difference of three years.

Pennsylvania

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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4 Years

16 Years Old

In Pennsylvania, the age of consent is 16 years old with a maximum age difference of 4 years. However, the minimum age for marriage in Pennsylvania is also 16 years old, which means that minors who are 16 and 17 years old may be married with the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

Rhode Island

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Rhode Island, the age of consent is 16 years old. There is no maximum age difference specified in the law, but individuals who engage in sexual activity with someone under the age of 14 can face much harsher penalties.

South Carolina

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In South Carolina, the age of consent is 16 years old. There is no maximum age difference specified in the law, but it is illegal for an individual who is in a position of authority or trust to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under 18 years old.

South Dakota

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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3 Years

16 Years Old

In South Dakota, the age of consent is 16 years old with a maximum age difference of 3 years. Additionally, it is illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 16, regardless of the age difference.

Tennessee

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18 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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4 Years

16 Years Old

In Tennessee, the age of consent is 18 years old with a maximum age difference of 4 years. It is also illegal for someone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is between the ages of 13 and 17 if the older individual is in a position of authority or trust.

Texas

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17 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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3 Years

16 Years Old

In Texas, the age of consent is 17 years old with a maximum age difference of 3 years. It is also illegal for an individual who is in a position of authority or trust to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 18.

Utah

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18 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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10 Years

16 Years Old

In Utah, the age of consent is 18 years old with a maximum age difference of 10 years. It is also illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 16.

Vermont

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16 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Vermont, the age of consent is 16 years old with no maximum age difference specified in the law. However, it is illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 16.

Virginia

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18 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Virginia, the age of consent is 18 years old with no maximum age difference specified in the law. It is also illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 18 if the older individual is in a position of authority or trust.

Washington

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16 Years Old

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2 Years

17 Years Old

In Washington, the age of consent is 16 years old with a maximum age difference of 2 years. It is also illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 18 if the older individual is in a position of authority or trust.

West Virginia

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16 Years Old

Maximum Age Difference

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4 Years

18 Years Old

In West Virginia, the age of consent is 16 years old with a maximum age difference of 4 years. The minimum age for marriage in West Virginia is 18 years old, although minors who are 16 or 17 years old may be married with the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

Wisconsin

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18 Years Old

16 Years Old

In Wisconsin, the age of consent is 18 years old with no maximum age difference specified in the law. It is also illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 18 if the older individual is in a position of authority or trust.

Wyoming

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17 Years Old

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4 Years

16 Years Old

In Wyoming, the age of consent is 17 years old with a maximum age difference of 4 years. It is also illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the age of 16.

FAQs

What is the age of consent in the US ?

The age of consent in the US varies by state and ranges from 16 to 18 years old.

What does age of consent mean ?

The age of consent in the United States refers to the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally competent to consent to sexual activity.

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