How to Move Out at 16: Legal & Safe Options (2024)

Co-authored byPeggy Rios, PhDand Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: July 15, 2024Fact Checked

Can you move out at 16?

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   Research emancipation laws in your country. If you want to move out and be completely independent of your parents or guardians, consider legal emancipation. While most places declare 18 to be the age of majority, or legal independence, there are some places that offer exceptions for emancipation without an intense legal process. Research the age of majority for your area, whether your state or country allows emancipation, and how old you must be to file for emancipation.^[1]

   • Emancipation is a legal process that allows a minor to get a court order to be legally independent. It ends some or all of the responsibilities and rights of the parents, like financial support and making decisions for the child. Emancipation can be partial or complete.
   • In some places, being married at 16 will automatically emancipate you.
   • In other places, enlisting in the military before turning 18 may grant you emancipation.
   • The age at which you can be emancipated varies depending on where you live. In most U.S. states, that age is 16, though for some it can be as young as 14.
   • You will need to have your parent or guardian agree to your emancipation decision, as they will likely have to sign consent forms later on.
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   Have a stable and consistent income. In order to be emancipated and move out at 16, you must be able to prove to the court that you have a source of income and can support yourself financially. This typically means having a job that pays well enough to cover things like rent, groceries, and bills. Keep in mind that minors fall under specific child labor laws, which prevent teens from working long hours, so it may be helpful to have side gigs, like babysitting, for additional income.^[2]

   • If you don’t already have one, start looking for a job and create a budget to show that you’re capable of handling your money responsibly. Remember to set aside an emergency fund, as well.
   • If possible, start building your credit by applying for a credit card, as well. This will help you when it’s time to apply for an apartment or purchase a vehicle. Learn the difference between credit and debit and how to use each responsibly.

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   Find a safe place to live. As you plan the legal emancipation process, have an idea of where you’re planning to stay. Depending on where you live, there may be different requirements on how a teenager can enter a housing contract, so make sure to do your research before filing for emancipation.^[3]

   • In many cases, minors possess no contractual capacity, which means they can void most contracts. While there are some exceptions, you may be able to void your rental contract if you find another place to live. These contracts are usually legally binding, though, as things like food and shelter are a necessity. Research the laws in your area before making any final decisions.^[4]
   • Research apartments in your area that allow minors to sign leases. If possible, ask a trusted adult to co-sign so the landlord will be more likely to accept your application.
   • In general, your monthly rent should be no more than 30% of your monthly income, so look for apartments that are within your budget.
   • If renting your own apartment isn’t possible, see if anyone you know would allow you to rent a room in their house. Many people sublet their apartments, too, and these listings can often be found on websites like Craigslist. Just make sure these listings are legit, and don’t put yourself in any potentially dangerous situations.
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   Enact a plan for completing your public education. Depending on where you live, you may have to stay in school even after emancipation. Make sure that your new housing situation is situated near a school, so that you don’t fall behind on your education.^[5]

   • If you take the bus to school, make sure to inform them of your new address.
   • If you live in an area with multiple school districts, make sure you know which one your new residence falls under. If you rely on public transportation to get to school, you may have to transfer to the new district.
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   Fill out all of the necessary paperwork. When you go through the emancipation process, there’s a variety of forms that you will need to sign. Many of these forms will have to be signed by your parent or guardian. Although these forms may differ by location, you should be able to find all of the documents you’ll need online. Visit your local courthouse and/or check their website to find all the forms you need.^[6]

   • Depending on where you live, some of these documents may need to be signed by a legal third party (i.e. a notary).
   • Review all the paperwork carefully before signing. Make sure you know what emancipation entails before rushing into the process.
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   Apply for emancipation in court. Once you have double-checked that you meet all of your country’s (or state’s) requirements for legal emancipation, submit your emancipation request at your local court. You will need to prove your financial and housing status during this process. Once the court has received your petition, serve a copy of your petition to your parents, and the judge will schedule a hearing for your case.^[7]

   • Use a bank statement to prove your financial status.
   • The court proceedings for emancipation can take up to half a year.
   • The exact process may vary from court to court. The court should tell you everything you need to know about the hearing, but if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them.
   • Be aware that some states charge a filing fee between $150-200.
   • The court may ask for evidence of why you want to be emancipated when you first submit your petition, or they may only require it at the hearing. Either way, gather all your evidence ahead of time and be prepared to present it.

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1. 1

   Try coming to an agreement with your parents or guardians first. If you want to move out but do not want to legally emancipate yourself, discuss your situation with your parents or guardians. Depending on the circ*mstances, your family may support your desire to move out and consent to you living with someone else. It may also help for you to have an idea where you would plan on staying before seriously discussing the prospect of moving out.^[8]

   • If possible, consider living or moving in with someone else. Extended isolation can negatively contribute to your physical and emotional health.^[9]
   • Clinical psychologist Peggy Rios says if you want to prepare to move out, make sure you know how to do things that are necessary to living on your own, like “grocery shopping, doing laundry, and paying rent.” She adds that it’s best to start doing these things “several months before you move out” so you have time to figure out any questions you may have.
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   Ask to stay with a family member if your parents won't let you live alone. If you have any close relatives, they may be willing to help you out, even if it’s temporary. Choose a relative who is mature and responsible so your parents will be more likely to agree to you living with them. Confirm this agreement with both your parents and the relative you’ll be moving in with.^[10]

   • For example, your parents may be more willing to let you live with your aunt than your 20-year-old cousin.
   • In most places, it’s illegal for minors to stay with a family member without the permission of their parents or guardians.
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   See if you can live with a trusted friend if family isn’t an option. If you’re unable to live with a relative, talk to a trusted friend and see if you can live with them instead. Offer to pay your friend rent or do work around their home in exchange for living with them. Even if they only let you stay for a few weeks or months, it could still be a nice break away from home.^[11]

   • If you are moving in with a friend’s family, make sure that everyone in your friend’s household is okay with the change.
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   Avoid running away from home. As frustrating as your current living situation may seem, running away is not a good solution. You definitely don’t want to enter any new living situation unprepared. Teens who run away from home are more likely to develop drug addictions or turn to criminal activity.^[12]

   • If you are thinking about running away, consider reaching out to a hotline or trusted individual to discuss your situation.^[13]
   • In most cases, it isn’t illegal to run away, but depending on where you live, your parents may file a runaway report which would allow legal authorities to return you to their care if they find you. Runaway teens can also be held in a detention center or placed on probation.
See Also
At What Age Does the FL Child Decide Which Parent to Live With?How to Tell Your Parent You Want to Live With Your Other ParentCan Children Pick Which Parent To Live With? | Child CustodyMany Young Adults Still Live with their Parents

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1. 1

   Look into the renting laws for minors in your area. If you have made the decision to live independently, look at the apartment rental options nearest to you. While some places allow minors to rent apartments, it is important for you to understand the legal and financial renting laws for your location.^[14]

   • Depending on your situation, consider co-signing a lease with your parent or guardian (or another trusted adult) in case you run into future financial issues.
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   Search online to find apartment rentals. Websites like Housing Anywhere can connect you with rental options in hundreds of different cities. When searching for an apartment, have an idea of when you plan on moving in, as well as how long you plan on staying in the apartment.^[15]

   • If you’re having difficulty finding an apartment but still want to live on your own, consider looking into nearby shelters and outreach groups.
   • Keep in mind that there are often hidden costs when it comes to renting an apartment. Often, tenants are required to pay first and last month’s rent upfront, as well as an application fee.
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   Look for a part-time job so you can support yourself on your own. Due to child labor restrictions, you probably won’t be able to work full-time until you reach your country’s age of majority. Check online for part-time job opportunities near your location. On many sites, you’ll have to specify that you’re a teenager.^[16]

   • You can also make money without having a steady job. Dog walking and yard work are possible ways to earn some cash.
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   Come up with a budget to help manage your money. Depending on your new living situation, you may have some new bills to take care of each month, like electricity, water, rent, and food. Consider creating a budget that helps you set aside money for your necessities so you're able to support yourself.^[17]

   • Use Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to make a spreadsheet of your budget. This will make it easier to divide up your rent, food, and other costs by month.
   • Once you have set aside money for the essentials, begin saving up for more fun items (i.e, shopping, fast food, etc.).
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   Develop a good support system. While moving out can be a great sign of independence, it’s important that you stay connected with other people. If you don’t have friends or family to contact in times of stress, consider branching out and participating in group activities, like a sport or club.^[18]

   • Many public places (i.e, churches, community centers) have resources that will help you stay connected socially.^[19]

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