Age Based Rights

Get a Lawyer for a Family or Child Protection Issue

The Society of Children and Youth Legal Centre can provide legal advice, information, and representation for children and youth in a number of areas including child protection, family law, and human rights. There is no minimum age for services; however, you must be able to consistently express your views to our staff and they can help children and youth who are up to 19 years old. Even if you are older than 19, if the legal problem started before you turned 19, they may be able to help.

Call: 778-657-5544 or toll free at 1-877-462-0037

Apply for an Adult Passport

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for an adult passport. You can find the application here.

Get Married with Parent/Guardian Permission

You’ll need parent or guardian permission to get married. Under 16, you’ll need an order from a judge allowing you to get married

Babysitting

There is no law setting out the minimum age for babysitting in BC. However, babysitting courses are typically only offered to children who are at least 11 years old. There is also a BC Supreme Court case which stated that children under 10 should not be left unsupervised.

Be charged with a crime

12–17: Once you turn 12 you can be charged with a crime. Until you turn 18, you will be dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act if accused of a crime. Learn more at YCJA.ca.

Driver's License

Once you turn 16 you are able to apply for a driver’s license. If you are under 19 you will need a parent or guardian’s permission to apply.

See Getting my driver’s license

Consent to Sexual Activity

People must generally be at least 16 to be able to legally agree to sexual activity. But if 16 or 17 years old, you can only consent to sexual activity if the other person is not in a position of authority or trust and there is no exploitation or dependency.

Tattoos and Piercings

No minimum age for tattoos or piercings, however businesses can set a minimum age or require parental consent.

See Tattoos and Piercings: What You Need to Know

International Rights of the Child

UN Convention on the Right of the Child that apply to you up until you are 18. All children have the right

Not to be discriminated against
To live, be safe and develop to your fullest potential
To have a voice heard and respected in decisions that impact you
To have adults make decisions about you that are in your best interest

Dig deeper in Kids have rights!

Have a Voice

Whether your parents are separating or you are in the government’s care you have the right to express your views on things that impact your life. Adults making decisions about you should take your views seriously, even if they might not always be able to do exactly what you want.

Rent a Place to Stay

There is no minimum age when someone can enter into a rental agreement, but a landlord can decide not to rent to someone because of their age if they are under 19.

See Leaving Home Before 19.

Consent to Medical Treatment

In B.C., there is no exact age when a child can give consent. If you are under 19 but your doctor thinks you understand what the treatment means, you can choose to say yes or no to medical care, even if your parents or guardians disagree.

See When can I make my own medical decisions?

Access School Records

Students have rights of access to their own records. Parents also have the right to access their school aged child’s records.

Make a Will

You must be at least 16 years old to make a will in BC.

Join the Military with Parent/Guardian Consent

Most of the time you have to be at least 17 to join the military but some 16 year olds may be eligible to enroll as an Officer. Either way you'll need parent/Guardian consent.

Organ Donation

People of any age can register to be organ donors but if you are under 19 you need a parent/guardian sign on your behalf.

Can be sentenced as an adult

If you are 14 or older and you are found guilty of a serious crime the judge can give you an adult sentence.

Work without needing permission

You don’t need parent permission to work once you are 16, but until you turn 18, you aren’t allowed to do “hazardous work” like logging.

Register for List of Future Votes

The minimum age Canadian citizens can vote in municipal, provincial or federal elections is 18. If you are 16 or 17 you can register on the List of Future Voters which will automatically register you to vote when you turn 18. You can learn more about registering to the Future Voter list at Elections BC.

What Rights and Responsibilities Do I have at the Age...