Youth & Family Law

There is no specific age at which you can decide where you want to live. The answer to this depends on your situation.

The courts may seek a child’s opinion when the child is 12 or older. There have been some cases in which the child’s opinion was considered when the child was under 12. It depends on the emotional maturity of the child. Even if the court asks for the child’s opinion, the judge does not have to honour the child’s wishes. The judge will make a determination that is in the child’s best interests based on all of the evidence presented to them.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

Age 12 or older. Alberta’s Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act says that, if you are 12 or older, you must consent to the adoption and you are entitled to be heard (in person or by counsel) at the court hearing.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

You must be 18 years old to change your own name. However, if you are 12 years or older (to 17 years), your parents or guardians must get your consent before changing your name. Alberta’s Vital Statistics Act governs name changes.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

Age 18 or older.

For more information, see Adoption Records in Alberta FAQs.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

In Alberta, there is no law that says at what age a child can be left alone at home. However, if the child’s safety is endangered by being left alone, that child may be considered neglected.

If a child is in an “unsafe” situation, a child welfare caseworker has the ability to investigate and take action to ensure the child is protected. The caseworker would need to consider such matters as the child’s maturity, knowledge, responsibilities or resources, as well as the length of time, frequency and degree of isolation when the child was home alone.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

It depends.

The transition period from childhood to adulthood requires a complex balance of ensuring adequate protection and allowing for increasing independence. This means that the law in this area is also complex. The laws governing protective services for minors generally recognize that there is a different type of service required for older children than for younger ones. Therefore, it is common for government services across Canada, including Alberta, to distinguish between services to children and services to youth aged 16 – 18.

It is incorrect to say that it is not “legal” to leave home prior to 18 or even 16. You will not be fined, or punished, for leaving home before a certain age. The difference is that if the police apprehend an 18-year-old, she is responsible for herself. If the police apprehend someone under 18 (or under 16 without one of the agreements listed below), someone else will be brought in and will be responsible for the youth (such as a parent, guardian or Children’s Services).

When children live away from home and receive services from Children’s Services, a government system takes on roles and responsibilities normally carried out by parents and extended family members. In Alberta, children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA) are entitled to receive help from an advocate from the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta.

18 and Over

Once you are 18, you can leave home. You have reached the age of majority and are legally responsible for yourself.

16 or 17 Years Old

If you are 16 or 17 years old, living independently of your parents or guardians, and in need of support, you can make an agreement with Alberta Children’s Services. You and a caseworker will develop a plan that includes where you will live and what financial support will be provided. For more information, contact Alberta’s Children’s Services or the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta.

Under 16

Children younger than 16 who attempt to leave home are likely to eventually find themselves either returned home or taken into the care of government social services (but not necessarily). Someone else will be brought in to be responsible for the child (such as a parent, guardian or Children’s Services).

For more information and resources, see:

• Connecteen
• Government of Alberta
• Office of the Child and Youth Advocate

Last Reviewed: November 2019

For more information, see Adult Interdependent Relationships FAQs.

A person who is younger than 18 years can be in an adult interdependent relationship if:

• they meet the requirements set out in the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act; AND
• they are not related to each other by blood or adoption.

Generally, you do not need to make an Adult Interdependent Partner Agreement to be in an adult interdependent relationship. However, if you are a minor and want to make an Adult Interdependent Partner Agreement, you can only do so if:

• you are 16 or 17 years old; and
• your guardians sign the Agreement indicating their consent; and
• you are not related to your partner by blood or adoption.

To figure out if you are in an Adult Interdependent Relationship, take the quiz in our booklet Living Together.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

If you are 18 years or older, you can marry without your parents’ permission.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can marry if you have your parent or guardian’s permission or a court order allowing you to get married.

You cannot marry in Alberta if you are under 16 years of age.

For more information, see Marriage FAQs.

Last Reviewed: November 2019

The general rule is that youth under the age of majority can only enter into certain kinds of contracts. There is an exception for items that are considered to be “necessities of life”, including shelter. Therefore, as long as you understand the consequences of signing the lease agreement, you can sign it.

That being said, a landlord may be hesitant to agree to rent an apartment to someone who is young. The Alberta Human Rights Act does not prevent a landlord from refusing to rent an apartment to a minor. Therefore, a landlord can discriminate against a young person and not rent to them if the young person is under 18 years.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, living independently of your parents or guardians, and in need of support, you can make an agreement with Alberta’s Children’s Services. You and a caseworker will develop a plan that includes where you will live and what financial support will be provided. For more information, contact Alberta’s Children’s Services or the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta.

Last Reviewed: November 2019