Legal ages in Brazil
In Brazil: age of majority 18, voting age 18, minimum age to marry 16, age of consent 14, age of criminal responsibility 12, alcohol purchase age 18.
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Age of majority
18 years
The age at which a person becomes an adult in civil law: able to sign contracts, own and manage property in their own name, and leave parental authority.
Minimum age to marry
16 years
16 with the consent of both parents; 18 without. Marriage below 16 is banned.
The lowest age at which the law allows a marriage, in the general rule.
Age of consent
14 years
The age at which the law treats a person as able to consent to sexual activity.
Age of criminal responsibility
12 years
12 to 18: socio-educational measures, not adult punishment.
The lowest age at which a child can be held criminally responsible.
Voting age
18 years
Voluntary at 16 and 17, compulsory from 18.
The age at which a citizen may vote in national elections.
Alcohol purchase age
18 years
The lowest age at which a person may legally buy alcohol, in the general rule.
More about Brazil
Sources
- Inter-Parliamentary Union: Parline, the global data hub on parliaments
- UNICEF: child marriage data and legal minimum ages
- UN Committee on the Rights of the Child: minimum ages of criminal responsibility
- WHO Global Information System on Alcohol and Health
For the exact rule and its text, use Brazil’s own legislation, which is the authority.
Take it further
- Child Travel Consent Form template$5
Permission for a child to travel with one parent or another adult.
- Family Law course$15
Marriage, divorce, custody and support, step by step.
- Criminal Law pocket guide$12
A short PDF reference book with self-check questions.
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TheLawToKnow Tools’s legal ages guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the country’s own law or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.
