Legal Age of Majority
The age of majority in Puerto Rico is 21 years. At this age an individual enters into adulthood and is entrusted with the rights and obligations of a normal adult. However, Puerto Rican Law provides for certain effects of adulthood at a different age. According to Puerto Rico Civil Code, at the age of 18 years individuals are allowed to operate a simple business, to be employed, and to marry without consent and without the authorization of the Court.
Regardless of the rights that are now granted at the age of 18, the law still treats individuals as minors until they reach the age of 21. At the age of 21 all restrictions on the capacity to act as a major are lifted. From then on, individuals are capable of doing anything a normal adult could do . Certain proceedings under the Puerto Rico Judicial System require the individual to be of a higher age such as the right to vote which is not provided until the age of 30.
As minors, individuals are prohibited from signing most contracts, unless is specifically authorized, such as in education or employment contracts. Minors may sign contracts for the employment, purchase, or lease of personal property, but must seek ratification by a legal representative within 30 days of signing. The doctrine of in contractual minors has been established as a partial incapacity of contract, as opposed to a full incapacity as the did under the Code of 1889. However, there are certain exceptions to the incapacity within the limitations.
Unlike most States of the United States, Puerto Ricans are not considered adults until they reach the age of 21.
Puerto Rico’s Legal Drinking Age
Puerto Rico’s legal drinking age is 18 years old, in contrast to the 21-year-old minimum age in all of the mainland United States, with the exceptions of a few states that were granted special circumstances by the federal government.
Federal law, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, incentivized states with an extra 10 percent of federal highway funds if they kept the drinking age at 21, but dropped the 10 percent penalty if the states lowered their drinking age. Texas was one state that achieved special waivers. As a result, the National Highway Safety Act does allow for some states to lower it to 18. It is optional.
Puerto Rico has a law that is similar to most of the 50 states, however, that says an individual must be at least 18 years of age to consume or possess alcoholic beverages. The only exception is that if the individual is 18, but less than 21, and consumes or possesses alcohol without parental consent, the government can impose a fine of between $500 and $1,000.
Minimum Age for Driving
Driving Age Regulations in Puerto Rico – Understanding the Restrictions for Young Drivers, when they Pass Traffic Safety Tests to Drive Legally
At age 16 you can obtain a provisional driver’s permit in Puerto Rico if you meet certain requirements. But there are restrictions on when and where you can drive.
For instance, during the first six months of driving as a new license holder, you are not allowed to drive anyone who is not your parent, guardian, son, or daughter from 11 PM until 5 AM, even if you are accompanied by your parent or guardian.
During the next six months, you are only allowed to drive your parents, guardian, son or daughter. During the last six months, you are not permitted to have anyone under the age 21 in your car who is not a parent, legal guardian or child.
After the 18-month period, there are no restrictions on the number or age of passengers you can carry, as long as you have passed all of the tests required to obtain a driver’s license in Puerto Rico.
If you place the overall safety of people at risk, disobey driver’s license restrictions, or exceed the points allotted for traffic violations, your driver’s license can be revoked.
To obtain a driver’s license in Puerto Rico, you must be at least 16 years old. But you cannot apply for a learner’s permit or provisional driver’s permit without written consent from a parent or guardian. When you attempt to obtain a learner’s permit, you will be required to provide a certification from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist verifying that you are mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle.
If you believe your child is ready to drive, but are concerned that he or she has not been exposed to what it is like to drive a motor vehicle, start with a practice test online. From there, head to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or ask your personal injury attorney for recommendations.
Consent and Marriage Age Requirements
The legal age of consent for sexual activity in Puerto Rico is 16. Both same-sex and different-sex partners may legally consent to sexual acts at age 16, regardless of their age or whether they are married. The age of consent is primarily a criminal matter. As such, if a person over the age of consent has sexual contact or engages in sexual activities with someone under the age of consent, he or she may be charged with statutory rape. Punishment for statutory rape varies by age and the genders involved. If convicted , a person could face monetary penalties, jail time, or both. The legal age to get married in Puerto Rico is 18 for both males and females. However, anyone interested in getting married under the age of 21 (so meaning 18 or 19 years old) requires the written consent of one of their parents. For those seeking to marry under the age of 21, as well as for those of the same sex, a civil ceremony must be performed.
Voting Age
In Puerto Rico, the legal voting age is 18. In order to participate in elections, you must be at least 18 years old on the day of the elections. If the elections are to be held on December 31st, and on that December 31st, you are 18, you will be permitted to vote. Puerto Ricans who are either U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals are eligible to vote in federal elections. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services defines U.S. nationals as "citizens or persons owing permanent allegiance to the United States." As a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, you are also entitled to vote in federal elections no matter where you happen to be in the United States or its territories. Even if you are not residing in Puerto Rico, such as being in an institution in the continental United States or studying abroad while attending college, you can still register to vote and cast your ballot for Puerto Rican elections. The right to vote in Puerto Rico elections is granted only to residents who have lived on the island for at least one year. This rule helps to prevent an influx of voters from other U.S. states, which could affect the outcome of various Puerto Rican elections.
Minimum Age for Employment
Child workers are subject to restrictions in terms of the hours that they can work and must obtain a permit before being allowed to work. The child worker must be at least age 13 and ages vary depending on the type of work: The minimum age is 12 for children who engage in artistic work, 13 for children who work as models, and at least 14 for all other work, such as laborers, clerical jobs, stores and restaurants . A permit issued by the Office of Youth Affairs is required. In order to prove the 12 or 13 age requirement, the permit should include a copy of the child’s birth certificate.