Republic Acts on Termination of Parental Obligations at Age 18 in the Philippines

Executive summary

In Philippine law, “turning 18” has two big legal effects: (1) a person reaches the age of majority, gaining full legal capacity, and (2) parental authority—the bundle of rights and duties that lets parents make decisions for their child—ends. This shift was cemented by Republic Act No. 6809 (1989), which lowered the age of majority from 21 to 18 and tied emancipation—and therefore the termination of parental authority—to that birthday.

Critically, while parental authority ends at 18, some parental duties can survive, especially the duty to provide support in narrowly defined situations (e.g., a child of age who cannot support themself for reasons not of their own making). Adoption, guardianship, special protective statutes, and recent reforms around child marriage also intersect with these rules.

Core legal pillars

1) Age of majority and emancipation: RA 6809

What RA 6809 did. It lowered the age of majority to 18. Upon reaching 18, a person is considered emancipated—they can contract, sue and be sued, decide their residence, and generally act without parental consent (except in specific situations prescribed by law, such as certain marriages—see below).
Effect on parental authority. Emancipation by attaining 18 terminates parental authority. From that point, parents no longer have the legal power to represent the child, consent for the child, or control the child’s person or property merely by virtue of parenthood.

2) The Family Code framework on parental authority

Parental authority (sometimes called “parental power” or patria potestas) is a statutory duty-right to care for, guide, and represent a minor in personal and property matters.
How it ends. It terminates by:
- Emancipation (i.e., the child turns 18 under RA 6809);
- Adoption (when a decree is issued, parental authority shifts to the adopter);
- Death of the parent or the child;
- Other specific legal causes (e.g., final judgment depriving a parent of authority).
How it can be lost or suspended before 18. Courts may suspend or deprive a parent of authority for serious grounds (e.g., abuse, neglect, abandonment), often upon petition by the other parent, a guardian, or concerned kin, with the child’s best interests as the paramount standard.

3) Support obligations vs. parental authority

Different concepts. Ending parental authority at 18 does not automatically erase the duty of support. “Support” covers essentials like food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education/training consistent with the family’s means.
Support beyond 18. Support may continue if the child of age cannot support themself for reasons not imputable to them (e.g., disability; sometimes prolonged education if the circumstances justify it). The duty is reciprocal in families: adult children may later be obliged to support ascendants who need it.
Enforcement. Support can be judicially demanded and is measured by the needs of the recipient and the means of the giver; it may be increased or reduced as circumstances change.

Important intersections with other statutes

A) Adoption statutes

Domestic adoption & alternative care. When an adoption is granted, parental authority transfers to the adoptive parent(s). If the child is already 18 or older, there is no parental authority to transfer, but adoption still affects succession, name, and filial ties.
Foster care & guardianship. These arrangements end or shift once the child becomes 18, unless a court extends a guardianship due to incapacity, or the statute/placement terms provide for continuing assistance (e.g., supervised independent living for youth aging out of care).

B) Child marriage reforms

Prohibition below 18. Recent reforms categorically prohibit child marriage (under 18). Because marriage below 18 is disallowed, the old pathway of “emancipation by marriage” no longer operates for minors.
Ages 18–20 and parental consent. The Family Code historically required parental consent for marriages of persons 18 to 21. This is a marriage-specific rule and does not revive parental authority over an 18-year-old in general life matters. It simply makes parental consent a formal prerequisite to a valid marriage in that age band (unless and until amended by later law).

C) Special protection laws (children in conflict with the law, anti-trafficking, anti-abuse)

These laws focus on protection while the person is a child. Once 18, the child-specific protective regime sunsets, but acts committed before majority age can still have consequences (e.g., diversion measures, confidentiality rules).
Parents’ civil liabilities tied to a minor’s acts (e.g., quasi-delict under the Civil Code) generally end with majority; adults bear personal liability for their own acts.

What changes exactly at 18?

Area	Before 18	At/After 18
Decision-making	Parents (or guardians) hold decision-making authority; child’s views considered per best-interest standard.	Full legal capacity: the person decides on residence, work, education, contracts, medical treatment (subject to general laws).
Contracts & litigation	Representation by parents/guardians typically required.	May enter contracts, sue/be sued in own name.
Criminal liability	Child-specific justice system applies (diversion, intervention).	Adult criminal process applies (subject to general defenses/mitigation).
Marriage	Marriage below 18 prohibited.	18–20: parental consent required for marriage (marriage-specific rule); 21+: no parental consent needed.
Parental authority	In force unless earlier suspended/deprived.	Terminated. Parents lose legal control/representation authority.
Support	Owed, calibrated to needs and means.	May continue if the adult child cannot self-support for reasons not their fault.

Practical scenarios

College at 18–20. Parental authority is gone, but parents may still have to support education if the young adult cannot support themself and the family’s means allow. Support is not automatic; it depends on evidence of need and means.
Medical consent at 18. The young adult consents to their own treatment. Parents no longer have legal say, though families often decide collaboratively.
Working student at 19. Employment decisions are the young adult’s. Any salary is their property; parents cannot demand it by right of parental authority.
Adoption finalization when the adoptee is 18. No parental authority to transfer, but legal filiation and inheritance rights realign to the adoptive family.
Misconduct and damages at 17 vs. 18. If a tort is committed at 17, parents may face subsidiary or vicarious civil liability. At 18, the person bears their own liability.

Common misconceptions—clarified

“Turning 18 means parents owe nothing.” False. Authority ends, but support can continue if legal conditions are met.
“Parents can still sign for my contracts at 18.” No. You now have full capacity; parental signatures are not required (except where a special statute says otherwise).
“Marriage at 18 removes all ties to parents.” Parental authority is already terminated at 18. The marriage-specific parental consent requirement (18–20) is a formal validity rule, not continuing parental authority.
“Adoption only matters for minors.” Adoption of a person over 18 still reshapes filiation and succession, though parental authority is no longer at stake.

Compliance checklist (for families, schools, employers, LGUs)

For parents
- Recognize the end of decision-making power at 18.
- If support is sought or contested, document needs (e.g., schooling, health) and means (income, expenses).
- Use amicable settlements or mediation before litigation.
For young adults
- Keep your valid IDs, contracts, and records (school, work, medical) in your name.
- If relying on parental support, be prepared to show good faith (e.g., academic progress, job-seeking efforts if applicable).
For institutions
- Update consent, privacy, and data-sharing workflows so that 18+ students/employees sign for themselves.
- Be mindful of child-protection protocols for those under 18 and transition plans as they age out.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1: Does parental authority end exactly at midnight of the 18th birthday? Yes. On the date the person turns 18, they are of full age and parental authority ceases.

Q2: Can parents compel an 18-year-old to live at home or choose a course? No. Those are personal decisions of the adult. Family discussions can continue, but legal control is gone.

Q3: Can support be denied because the young adult is “already 18”? Not automatically. If they cannot self-support for reasons not imputable to them (e.g., disability, necessary schooling consistent with the family’s means), courts may order support.

Q4: Do 18–20-year-olds still need parental consent to marry? Yes, parental consent remains a formal requirement for marriages in that age bracket. That requirement does not resurrect parental authority in other aspects of life.

Q5: What if a parent is abusive before the child turns 18? Courts can suspend or remove parental authority before majority for serious grounds. The child (through representatives), the other parent, relatives, or appropriate agencies can seek relief.

Key takeaways

RA 6809 lowered the age of majority to 18 and anchors the termination of parental authority on that birthday.
Ending authority ≠ ending support. Support can persist post-18 when strict legal conditions are met.
Adoption, guardianship, child-protection statutes, and marriage rules intersect with (but do not override) the basic rule that authority ends at 18.
For any dispute, the best interests of the child (or young adult’s dignity and autonomy after 18) and proportionality in support guide courts.

This is general information for Philippine legal context. For a specific situation, consult a Philippine lawyer who can assess facts, documents, and the most current statutory/jurisprudential developments.