Age of Consent

 

The age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is legally considered capable of agreeing to sexual activity. This age varies by country, state, or jurisdiction, typically ranging from 16 to 18 years old in most places.

It is intended to protect minors from exploitation and abuse. Engaging in sexual activity with someone below the age of consent is usually considered statutory rape or a similar offense, regardless of whether the minor appeared to agree.
 

Laws about the age of consent can be complex and often include exceptions such as:

• Close-in-age exemptions (Romeo and Juliet laws): Allowing consensual relationships between minors who are close in age.

• Differences based on authority or position: Higher standards may apply if one person is in a position of trust, like a teacher or coach.

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Here are the U.S. states where the age of consent is 18:

• Arizona

• California

• Delaware

• Florida

• Idaho

• North Dakota

• Oregon

• Tennessee

• Utah

• Virginia

• Wisconsin

• Wyoming 

These states generally define the minimum age for legally consenting to sexual activity as 18, though many also include “close‑in‑age” (Romeo & Juliet) exceptions that allow minors a few years younger to engage in consensual relationships with peers.

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​Here are the U.S. states where the age of consent is 17:

• Colorado

• Illinois

• Louisiana

• Missouri

• New York

• Texas

• Wyoming

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In these states, individuals must be at least 17 to legally consent to sexual activity.

Many also include close‑in‑age ("Romeo & Juliet") exemptions, allowing consensual relationships when the age difference is small — often 2–4 years

Federal law still applies to interstate or online situations: regardless of state age, any sexual activity with someone under 18 can trigger federal charges.

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Here are the U.S. states where the age of consent is 16:

• Alabama

• Alaska

• Arkansas

• Connecticut

• Georgia

• Hawaii

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• Montana

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• North Carolina

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Vermont

• Washington

• West Virginia

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In these 30 (approximately) states, individuals must be at least 16 to legally consent to sexual activity, though most include close‑in‑age (“Romeo & Juliet”) exemptions.

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These exemptions typically allow minors to consent if their partner is within a specific age gap—often 2–4 years—varying by state.

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Federal law continues to apply if the conduct crosses state lines or involves certain communications, maintaining an age threshold of under 18.

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