General Provisions

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, ch. 1
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-101 Age of majority; rights on emancipation.

(a) Upon becoming eighteen (18) years of age, an individual reaches the age of majority and as an adult acquires all rights and responsibilities granted or imposed by statute or common law, except as otherwise provided by law. (b) A minor may consent to health care treatment to the same extent as if he were an adult when any one (1) or more of the following circumstances apply: (i) The minor is or was legally married; (ii) The minor is in the active military service of the United States; (iii) The parents or guardian of the minor cannot with reasonable diligence be located and the minor's need for health care treatment is sufficiently urgent to require immediate attention; (iv) The minor is living apart from his parents or guardian and is managing his own affairs regardless of his source of income; (v) The minor is emancipated under W.S. 14-1-201 through 14-1-206; (vi) The minor is twelve (12) years of age or older, is a smoker or user of tobacco products and the health care to which the minor consents is a tobacco cessation program approved by the department of health pursuant to W.S. 9-4-1204. (c) The consent given pursuant to subsection (b) of this section is not subject to disaffirmance because of minority. (d) Any competent adult may enter into a binding contract and shall be legally responsible therefor. (e) A person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age may consent to donate and may donate blood.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-102 Right to contract.

(a) An unemancipated minor may obtain a birth certificate from the department of health and may enter into a legally binding contract for housing, employment, purchase of a motor vehicle, receipt of a student loan, admission to postsecondary school, establishing a bank account, admission to a domestic violence or homeless shelter and receipt of services as a homeless youth or victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse, provided that the minor: (i) Meets all of the following: (A) At least sixteen (16) years of age; (B) Willingly living separate and apart from his parents who consent to or acquiesce in the separate living arrangement; (C) Homeless; (D) Managing his own financial affairs. (ii) Submits a notarized affidavit in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (b) A notarized affidavit required under this section shall be: (i) Signed and sworn to by the minor which includes all of the following: (A) The minor's full name; (B) The minor's birth date; (C) A statement by the minor verifying the conditions listed in paragraph (a)(i) of this section; (D) A statement by the minor declaring that the information provided is true and correct under penalty of perjury. (ii) Witnessed by two (2) or more adults. The acknowledgment by each adult witnessing the affidavit shall include a declaration that he is an attorney, health care provider, rabbi, priest, minister, clergy or other religious counselor or a college or school administrator or counselor and that to the best of his knowledge the minor signed the affidavit willingly and understands the nature and legal implications of the contract, if applicable. The affidavit shall require a rabbi, priest, minister, clergy or other religious counselor who witnesses an affidavit to verify under penalty of false swearing under W.S. 6-5-303 that the witness has not been convicted of a felony in this state or another jurisdiction. An adult witnessing an affidavit pursuant to this paragraph shall not assume any legal responsibility or liability under a contract entered into pursuant to this section. (c) A person that in good faith accepts an affidavit purportedly signed and sworn to in accordance with this section and who is without actual knowledge that the affidavit is fraudulent or otherwise invalid may rely upon the affidavit as if it were genuine and may enter into a contract that is legally binding upon the minor as provided under subsection (a) of this section. (d) For purposes of this section, "homeless" means as that term is defined in 42 U.S.C. section 11434a(2).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-201 Definitions.

(a) As used in this article: (i) "Emancipation" means conferral of certain rights of majority upon a minor as provided under this article and includes a minor who: (A) Is or was married; (B) Is in the military service of the United States; or (C) Has received a declaration of emancipation pursuant to W.S. 14-1-203. (ii) "Minor" means an individual under the age of majority defined by W.S. 14-1-101(a); (iii) "Parent" means the legal guardian or custodian of the minor, his natural parent or if the minor has been legally adopted, the adoptive parent; (iv) "This act" means W.S. 14-1-201 through 14-1-206.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-202 Application for emancipation decree; effect of decree.

(a) Upon written application of a minor under jurisdiction of the court and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a district court may enter a decree of emancipation in accordance with this act. In addition to W.S. 14-1-101(b), the decree shall only: (i) Recognize the minor as an adult for purposes of: (A) Entering into a binding contract; (B) Suing and being sued; (C) Buying or selling real property; (D) Establishing a residence; (E) The criminal laws of this state. (ii) Terminate parental support and control of the child and their rights to his income; (iii) Terminate parental tort liability for the minor.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-203 Application for emancipation decree; hearing; notice; rights and liabilities of emancipated minor; conditions for issuance of decree; filing of decree; copy to applicant.

(a) Upon written application of a minor subject to personal jurisdiction of the court, a district court may enter a decree of emancipation in accordance with this act. The application shall be verified and shall set forth with specificity all of the following facts: (i) That he is at least seventeen (17) years of age; (ii) That he willingly lives separate and apart from his parents; (iii) That his parents consent to or acquiesce in the separate living arrangement; (iv) That he is managing his own financial affairs; and (v) That the source of his income is not derived from means declared unlawful under state or federal law or from assistance received under W.S. 42-2-104. (b) The district court shall conduct a hearing on the minor's application for emancipation within sixty (60) days after the date of filing. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the minor and his parents by certified mail at least ten (10) days before the date set for hearing. (c) At the hearing, the court shall advise the minor of the effect of emancipation pursuant to W.S. 14-1-202. These rights and liabilities shall be stated in the emancipation decree. (d) The court may enter a decree of emancipation if the minor is at least seventeen (17) years of age and the court finds emancipation is in the best interests of the minor. In making a determination, the court shall consider if the: (i) Minor's parents consent to the proposed emancipation; (ii) Minor is living or is willing to live apart from his parents and is substantially able to provide self-maintenance and support without parental guidance and supervision; (iii) Minor demonstrates he is sufficiently mature and knowledgeable to manage his personal affairs without parental assistance; and (iv) Source of the minor's income is not derived from means declared unlawful under state or federal law. (e) Upon entry of a decree of emancipation, the court shall file the decree with the county clerk of the county in which the child resides. A copy of the decree shall be issued to the minor. (f) A declaration of emancipation shall be conclusive evidence that the minor is emancipated, but emancipation may also be proved by other evidence like any other fact.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-204 Third party application; procedure.

(a) Any interested third party having dealings with an apparently emancipated minor may apply to the district court where that minor is domiciled or may be found for a declaration of emancipation. (b) The application under this section shall be made in conformity with W.S. 14-1-203(a). (c) Proceedings under this section shall be conducted in conformity with the requirements of W.S. 14-1-203.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-205 Application to department of transportation for emancipated status on driver's license; fee.

(a) Upon application of an emancipated minor, the department of transportation shall indicate the minor's emancipated status on his Wyoming driver's license or if without a driver's license, on the minor's Wyoming identification card issued under W.S. 31-8-101. (b) An applicant under this section shall pay two dollars ($2.00) to the division. The department of transportation shall deposit the fees in the manner prescribed by law for driver's license and identification card fees and submit receipt and acknowledgement to the state treasurer.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-1-206 Emancipated minor subject to adult criminal jurisdiction.

An emancipated minor is subject to jurisdiction of adult courts for all criminal offenses.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title14.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026