Age of majority

The age at which a person, formerly a minor, is recognized by law to be an adult, capable of managing his or her own affairs and responsible for any legal obligations created by his or her actions. The age of majority in North Carolina is 18 years of age but there are circumstances that give minors “majority” status.

Age of majority is determined by the applicable law of jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted (the setting in which the research takes place). If you are recruiting from out of state to a study conducted at UNC-Chapel Hill, a UNC-Chapel Hill affiliate site or other sites within the State of NC, NC law applies. If the research is conducted at a site outside of NC, the laws of the State in which the research is conducted applies. In internet-based research the legal jurisdictional authority is based on the investigator’s location. UNC-Chapel Hill OHRE: SOP 6001 (Definition of Children)