Introduction
In the United States, the age at which a child can be left home alone varies from state to state. While some states have a specific minimum age requirement, others do not. There are 36 states that do not have a minimum age requirement. These include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The states that do have a minimum age requirement for a child to be left home alone typically require the child to be at least 8 to 12 years old. For example, in Georgia, Maryland, and North Carolina, the minimum age is 8 years old. In Colorado, Delaware, the minimum age is 12 years old. However, there are some states that require children to be older, such as Illinois, where the minimum age is 14 years old.
It’s important to note that even if a state does not have a specific minimum age requirement for leaving a child home alone, parents can still be charged with neglect or endangerment if their child is left alone and something happens to the child. Additionally, some states may have guidelines or recommendations for parents on when it is appropriate to leave a child alone.
Age a Child Can Be Left Home Alone by State
| State | Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 14 Years Old |
| Colorado | 12 Years Old |
| Delaware | 12 Years Old |
| Michigan | 11 Years Old |
| New Mexico | 10 Years Old |
| Oregon | 10 Years Old |
| Tennessee | 10 Years Old |
| Washington | 10 Years Old |
| North Dakota | 9 Years Old |
| Georgia | 8 Years Old |
| Maryland | 8 Years Old |
| North Carolina | 8 Years Old |
| Kansas | 6 Years Old |
| Alabama | No Minimum Age |
| Alaska | No Minimum Age |
| Arizona | No Minimum Age |
| Arkansas | No Minimum Age |
| California | No Minimum Age |
| Connecticut | No Minimum Age |
| Florida | No Minimum Age |
| Hawaii | No Minimum Age |
| Idaho | No Minimum Age |
| Indiana | No Minimum Age |
| Iowa | No Minimum Age |
| Kentucky | No Minimum Age |
| Louisiana | No Minimum Age |
| Maine | No Minimum Age |
| Massachusetts | No Minimum Age |
| Minnesota | No Minimum Age |
| Mississippi | No Minimum Age |
| Missouri | No Minimum Age |
| Montana | No Minimum Age |
| Nebraska | No Minimum Age |
| Nevada | No Minimum Age |
| New Hampshire | No Minimum Age |
| New Jersey | No Minimum Age |
| New York | No Minimum Age |
| Ohio | No Minimum Age |
| Oklahoma | No Minimum Age |
| Pennsylvania | No Minimum Age |
| Rhode Island | No Minimum Age |
| South Carolina | No Minimum Age |
| South Dakota | No Minimum Age |
| Texas | No Minimum Age |
| Utah | No Minimum Age |
| Vermont | No Minimum Age |
| Virginia | No Minimum Age |
| West Virginia | No Minimum Age |
| Wisconsin | No Minimum Age |
| Wyoming | No Minimum Age |
Legal Age to Stay Home Alone by State
Alabama
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
In Alabama, there is no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Alaska
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Alaska has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Arizona
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Arizona does not have a minimum age for when a child can be left alone.
Arkansas
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Arkansas does not have a minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
California
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
In California, there is no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Colorado
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
12 Years Old
Colorado has a minimum age requirement of 12 years old for a child to be left home alone for an extended period. However, there is no minimum age requirement for a child to be left alone for a short period of time.
Connecticut
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
In Connecticut, there is no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Delaware
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
12 Years Old
Delaware has a minimum age requirement of 12 years old for a child to be left home alone for an extended period. However, a child of any age can be left home alone for a short period of time.
Florida
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Florida has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Georgia
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
8 Years Old
Georgia has a minimum age requirement of eight years old for a child to be left home alone. Children under eight years old cannot be left alone without adult supervision.
Hawaii
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Hawaii has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Idaho
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Idaho has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Illinois
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
14 Years Old
Illinois has a higher minimum age requirement of 14 years old for a child to be left home alone. If a child is under the age of 14 and is left home alone for an extended period, their parents or guardians could face child endangerment charges.
Indiana
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Indiana has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Iowa
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Iowa has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Kansas
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
6 Years Old
Kansas has a minimum age requirement of six years old for a child to be left home alone.
Kentucky
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Kentucky has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Louisiana
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Louisiana has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Maine
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Maine has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Maryland
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
8 Years Old
Maryland also has a minimum age requirement of eight years old for a child to be left home alone. Children under the age of eight must be left with someone who is at least 13 years old.
Massachusetts
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Massachusetts has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Michigan
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
11 Years Old
Michigan has a minimum age requirement of 11 years old for a child to be left home alone. If a child is left alone and is injured or causes injury, their parents or guardians could face legal consequences.
Minnesota
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Minnesota has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Mississippi
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Mississippi has no minimum age requirement for a child to be left alone.
Missouri
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Missouri has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Montana
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Montana has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Nebraska
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Nebraska has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Nevada
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Nevada has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
New Hampshire
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
New Hampshire has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
New Jersey
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
New Jersey has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
New Mexico
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
New Mexico has a minimum age of 10 years old for a child to be left alone.
New York
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
New York has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
North Carolina
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
8 Years Old
North Carolina requires that children be at least eight years old to be left home alone. If a child is under the age of eight, they must be left with someone who is at least 18 years old.
North Dakota
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
9 Years Old
In North Dakota, the minimum age a child can be left home alone is nine years old. Parents or guardians who leave a child under the age of nine alone could face legal consequences.
Ohio
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Ohio has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Oklahoma
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Oklahoma has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Oregon
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
Oregon has a minimum age of 10 years old for a child to be left alone.
Pennsylvania
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Pennsylvania has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Rhode Island
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Rhode Island has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
South Carolina
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
South Carolina has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
South Dakota
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
South Dakota has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Tennessee
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
Tennessee has a minimum age of 10 years old for a child to be left alone. However, this age is not absolute, and the decision to leave a child alone is ultimately left up to the discretion of the parents.
Texas
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Texas has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Utah
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Utah has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Vermont
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Vermont has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Virginia
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Virginia has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Washington
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
10 Years Old
Washington has a minimum age of 10 years old for a child to be left alone. However, this age is not set in stone and parents are encouraged to use their best judgment when deciding if their child is ready to be left alone. The state also recommends that parents provide their child with clear guidelines on what to do in case of an emergency.
West Virginia
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
West Virginia has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Wisconsin
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Wisconsin has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
Wyoming
Legal Age a Child Can be Left Alone
No Minimum Age
Wyoming has no minimum age set for when a child can be left alone.
FAQs
At what age can kids stay home alone ?
The legal age at which kids can stay home alone varies by state in the United States. The majority of states do not have a set age requirement, while other states have minimum age limits that go from 6 years old to 14 years old.
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