What Is the Legal Age to Sign a Contract?

Contracts come in many forms, from leases to purchase agreements to promissory notes and other agreements that bind the signer to the terms within. In most cases, minors are prohibited from signing these types of documents.

General

In general, a person must be a legal adult, which in the United States is defined as being at least 18 years old, in order to sign a contract. In cases where the purchase of an item or other circumstances requires a legal signature, the parents or guardians of a minor may sign a contract on the minor's behalf, agreeing that they will be responsible for making sure that the terms of the contract are upheld.

Exceptions

Minors who are enrolled as full- or part-time students in a university or college may sign promissory notes, which are legally binding contracts between the borrower and the lender. Student loans are classified as necessary living expenses under the law.

Considerations

Legal contracts that are signed by minors are considered to be unenforceable and invalid.

References

• Free Advice: Binding Contracts-Key Elements