6500-6552: Age of Majority and Caregivers
In California, legal definitions around age and authority shape everything from who can consent to medical care to who can enroll a child in school. Whether you’re a parent, relative, or someone stepping in to care for a child, understanding the laws governing age of majority and the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit is essential.
6500–6502: Age of Majority
“A minor is an individual who is under 18 years of age. The period of minority is calculated from the first minute of the day on which the individual is born to the same minute of the corresponding day completing the period of minority.”
Turning 18 isn’t just a rite of passage. It’s the legal turning point when someone is no longer considered a minor. The shift to adulthood grants new rights and responsibilities, such as the ability to enter contracts, consent to medical procedures, and make independent legal decisions.
6500 – Who Is a Minor?
“A minor is an individual who is under 18 years of age…”
This statute defines a minor as anyone under 18. Importantly, the law tracks a person’s minority “from the first minute of the day they are born to the same minute on their 18th birthday.” That level of detail can matter in legal contexts like age-restricted rights or juvenile court jurisdiction.
6501 – Who Is an Adult?
“An adult is an individual who is 18 years of age or older.”
Once a person turns 18, they are legally an adult. At this point, they can be held accountable as an adult in court, enter contracts, and make legal and financial decisions on their own behalf.
6502 – Historic Shift from Age 21 to 18
This section addresses a key legal transition in California’s history. Prior to March 4, 1972, the age of majority was 21. On that date, California officially lowered it to 18. Here’s how that affects legal documents:
- Documents dated before March 4, 1972: The terms “minor” and “adult” refer to the 21-year age threshold.
- Documents dated on or after March 4, 1972: These terms refer to the 18-year threshold.
Can Older Documents Be Updated?
Yes—under 6502(b), any trust, contract, court order, or will from before 1972 can be amended to reflect the new legal age if:
- The document existed on March 4, 1972.
- It is legally allowed to be changed.
- It is governed by California law.
Real-World Impact
- A trust from the 1960s may still refer to a “minor” as someone under 21. Section 6502 lets courts interpret or modernize those terms to today’s standard.
- Schools and medical providers need to be clear on whether someone qualifies as a minor or adult to determine consent authority.
- Families working with legal documents need clarity on whether a young adult (18–20) is entitled to access or action.
6550–6552: Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit
In thousands of California homes, kids are raised not by their biological parents, but by relatives or trusted adults—grandparents, aunts, older siblings, family friends. Yet without formal custody, these caregivers often face red tape when trying to enroll kids in school or authorize medical care.
Recognizing this reality, California created the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit. This legal tool lets a non-parent adult authorize a minor’s enrollment in school and, in some cases, consent to medical and dental care without requiring a court order.
📘 What the Law Allows
Under Family Code 6550, any adult 18 or older who cares for a child in their home can use this affidavit to:
- Enroll the child in school.
- Consent to school-related medical care (e.g., physicals, immunizations).
If the caregiver is a qualified relative (defined in §6550(h)(2)), they may also authorize broader medical or dental care, including mental health treatment within Probate Code limits.
The affidavit does not give the caregiver legal custody, and it does not override a parent’s authority unless that authority endangers the child’s health or safety. If the child stops living with the caregiver, the caregiver must notify any institution that received the form. And to be valid, the affidavit must include a bolded legal warning in at least 10-point type and be enclosed in a clearly marked box.
🛡️ Legal Protections for Caregivers
The law protects caregivers acting in good faith. Under §6550(c)–(d):
- Caregivers aren’t civilly or criminally liable for actions taken under a valid affidavit unless they knowingly lie.
- Providers (schools, doctors) aren’t obligated to investigate beyond the affidavit unless they learn of conflicting facts.
This ensures kids get care without delay and caregivers aren’t punished for stepping in.
Who Counts as a “Qualified Relative”?
To authorize full medical and dental care, the caregiver must be related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption. This includes:
Spouses, parents, stepparents, siblings, stepsiblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, or their spouses—even after divorce or death.
Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit
Here is what the affidavit looks like.
Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit | |
Use of this affidavit is authorized by Part 1.5 (commencing with | |
Instructions: Completion of items 1–4 and the signing of the affidavit is sufficient to authorize enrollment of a minor in school and authorize school-related medical care. Completion of items 5–8 is additionally required to authorize any other medical care. Print clearly. | |
The minor named below lives in my home and I am 18 years of age or older. | |
1. Name of minor:. | |
2. Minor’s birth date:. | |
3. My name (adult giving authorization):. | |
4. My home address: . | |
5. ◻ I am a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other qualified relative of the minor (see back of this form for a definition of “qualified relative”). | |
6. Check one or both (for example, if one parent was advised and the other cannot be located): | |
◻ I have advised the parent(s) or other person(s) having legal custody of the minor of my intent to authorize medical care, and have received no objection. | |
◻ I am unable to contact the parent(s) or other person(s) having legal custody of the minor at this time, to notify them of my intended authorization. | |
7. My date of birth:. | |
8. My California driver’s license or identification card number: |
From defining adulthood to empowering everyday caregivers, California’s Family Code 6500–6552 forms a vital legal safety net. These statutes ensure clarity about who is responsible, who can act, and what rights each party has—especially when the traditional family structure isn’t in place.
The age of majority laws bring legal consistency, while the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit offers a lifeline to families navigating nontraditional caregiving roles. In both cases, the goal is the same: protect children, empower families, and eliminate unnecessary legal barriers.