Age of majority in United Kingdom (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: England, Wales and Scotland set the age of majority at 18, and UK Parliament elections at 18. Marriage age is 18 in England and Wales and 16 in Scotland. Criminal responsibility starts at 10 in England and Wales and 12 in Scotland.

RuleWhat applies
Age of majorityLegal adulthood; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)A person reaches full age at 18 in England and Wales and in Scotland. [1]
Voting age (national elections)Legal adulthood; area.United KingdomTo vote in a UK Parliament election a person must be registered, be a Commonwealth or Irish citizen, and be 18 or over on polling day. [2]
Minimum age to marryLegal adulthood; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)In England and Wales a marriage is void if either person is under 18. In Scotland no person domiciled in Scotland may marry before 16. [3]
Age of criminal responsibilityLegal adulthood; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)In England and Wales no child under 10 can be guilty of an offence. In Scotland a child under 12 may not be prosecuted for an offence. [4]

Notes

  • This covers England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own legislation, which was not read.
  • This is the rule for UK Parliament elections. Elections to the Scottish Parliament, Senedd and local bodies have their own rules, which were not read.

Sources

  1. legislation.gov.uk: Family Law Reform Act 1969, section 1 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. legislation.gov.uk: Representation of the People Act 1983, section 1 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. legislation.gov.uk: Marriage Act 1949, section 2 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  4. legislation.gov.uk: Children and Young Persons Act 1933, section 50 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.