New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes and Standards
Landlord-Tenant Information Service
LEGAL AGE REQUIREMENT
N.J.S.A. 9:17B-1 through 9:17B-4
Printed February 2008
9:17B-1. Legislative findings
The Legislature finds and declares and by this act intends, pending the revision and
amendment of the many statutory provisions involved, to:
a. Extend to persons 18 years of age and older the basic civil and contractual rights and
obligations heretofore applicable only to persons 21 years of age or older, including the right to
contract, sue, be sued and defend civil actions, apply for and be appointed to public
employment, apply for and be granted a license or authority to engage in a business or
profession subject to State regulation, serve on juries, marry, adopt children, attend and
participate in horse race meetings and parimutuel betting and other legalized games and gaming,
except as otherwise provided in subsection c. of this section, sell alcoholic beverages, act as an
incorporator, registered agent or director of a corporation, consent to medical and surgical
treatment, execute a will, and to inherit, purchase, mortgage or otherwise encumber and convey
real and personal property.
b. Extend to persons 21 years of age and older the right to purchase and consume alcoholic
beverages on January 1, 1983, provided that anyone attaining the age to purchase and consume
alcoholic beverages legally prior to January 1, 1983, shall retain that right. Nothing in this act
shall preclude any licensee under R.S. 33:1-1 et seq. from making purchases in the regular
course of his licensed activities.