Youth Age-Based Legal Rights in British Columbia (BC)

Introduction

• The age of majority in BC is 19 years old, which is when a person legally becomes an adult.
• Below this age, young people have various rights at different ages.

Age-Based Legal Rights

Age 5

• Attend school: Mandatory school attendance begins.

Age 12

• Name change: Can change name with parental consent.
• Consent for adoption: Their consent is required for adoption.
• Work: Eligible to work with parental/guardian consent.
• Age of consent: If the partner is less than 2 years older.
• Criminal responsibility: Subject to Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Age 14

• Criminal sentencing: May be sentenced under adult law.
• Organ donation: Can donate organs/tissues for medical purposes.
• Age of consent: If the partner is less than 5 years older.

Age 16

• Work: Can work without parental/guardian consent.
• Leave school: Legally allowed to leave school.
• Will: Eligible to write a will.
• Marriage: Can marry with parental consent.
• Passport: Can apply for own passport.
• Driver's license: Eligible with parental consent.
• Age of consent: Full age of consent.

Age 17

• Armed forces: Can join with parental consent.
• Blood donation: Can donate blood.

Age 18

• Voting: Eligible to vote in elections.
• Election candidacy: Can run in elections.
• Restricted movies: Can see adult/restricted movies.
• Minimum wage: Entitled to the full minimum wage.

Age 19

• Contracts: Can enter binding contracts.
• Marriage: Can marry without parental consent.
• Driver's license: Eligible without parental consent.
• Alcohol: Can purchase and drink alcohol.
• Gambling: Eligible to gamble and buy lottery tickets.
• Armed forces: Can join without parental consent.
• Pet adoption: Can adopt a pet from SPCA.
• Leave home: Can leave home without parental consent.
• Credit card: Eligible to receive a credit card.
• Cigarettes: Can purchase cigarettes.
• Legal actions: Can sue or be sued.
• Name change: Without parental consent.

No Legal Age Restrictions

• Babysitting: No legal age requirement.
• Health care consent: Based on maturity level.
• Tattoos/piercing: No legal age.
• School records: Can see own school records.
• Court testimony: Eligible to testify in court.
• Social assistance: Single parents can sign up.
• Alcohol consumption at home: Allowed if supplied by parents.
• Protection from discrimination: Rights against age-based discrimination.

Additional Resources

• Going to School
• Working
• Getting Married
• Committing a Crime
• Driving a Car