At what age can a child move out of his home?

According to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University Law School, a child is legally able to move out of his parents' home at the age of majority, which is 18 in most states. In some states, the age of majority is 19.

Through the legal process of emancipation, a minor can be legally declared independent of his parents. The specific laws regarding emancipation vary by state, but not all states enact laws or statutes pertaining to emancipation. A court typically hears a case and rules on the issue of emancipation in response to a third-party petition. The petition may be filed on behalf of the minor by an attorney, parent, legal guardian or court-appointed representative.