Emancipation allows a minor between the ages of 18 and 20 to act legally on their own behalf before turning 21.
It can be helpful for minors who want greater personal and financial independence and to make legal decisions on their own.
Who is eligible for emancipation?
You must be between 18 and 20 years old.
You must agree to the emancipation.
You must understand the nature and consequences of emancipation.
Parents who exercise parental authority must also agree and sign the deed.
What is parental authority? It is the legal authority and responsibility that parents have over their minor children.
Forms of Emancipation
Public Document: ✨ The emancipation we're working on at Abogado Notario Online ✨
Marriage: If you are 18 years of age or older and legally married, you are already emancipated by virtue of your marriage. If you were married outside of Puerto Rico, you must send us your official marriage certificate.
Court: 🚫 We do not process judicial emancipations or emancipations for college-related purposes.
💻 Almost everything is done online; in-person signing in San Juan
The evaluation, submission of documents, and preparation are primarily conducted online. However, to sign the deed, the minor and the parents who are required to sign must be present together, in person, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
📝 Steps to Follow
Please read the guidelines and requirements on this page first.
Please fill out our evaluation form.
If your case qualifies and you decide to proceed, we will prepare the deed.
The minor and the parents who are required to sign must appear together to sign the deed.
We handle the registration process with the Demographic Registry.
📌 Before requesting an evaluation:
Please read all the guidance on this page first. If you believe your case meets the requirements, complete the Emancipation Evaluation Form.
📄 Key Documents
The child's birth certificate. If you don't have one, you can order it here.
Valid identification for the minor and the parents who are required to sign.
Death certificate, if either parent has died.
⏱️ Duration
30 days.
💰 Cost
We charge a flat rate and will let you know the total cost before we begin.
It includes everything: preparation and signing of the deed, stamps, registration with the Civil Registry, and the new birth certificate with the emancipation noted on it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emancipation
1) How old do I have to be to become emancipated?
You must be between 18 and 20 years old. In Puerto Rico, you automatically reach the age of majority at 21.
2) Do my parents have to agree?
Yes. For emancipation by notarized deed, the parents who exercise parental authority must agree and sign. If one of them does not consent, our office will not be able to process the emancipation.
3) What happens if one of my parents has passed away?
We will generally need your death certificate. We will review the case to determine who should sign.
4) Can I file for emancipation to attend college?
No. Our office does not process emancipations for college enrollment purposes or judicial emancipations.
5) Can I complete the entire process online?
No. Almost everything is done online, but the deed must be signed in person in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
6) How long does it take, and how much does it cost?
The process takes 30 days. We work on a flat-rate basis and will let you know the total cost before we begin.
7) Can emancipation be revoked later?
No. Emancipation is irrevocable.
Emancipation Assessment
⚠️ Before filling out the form
Please read the guidance available on this page first.
Only if, after reading this page, you understand that your case meets the listed requirements, should you complete the Emancipation Evaluation Form. We will review your information and let you know whether we can assist you, what documents are required, and the cost before we begin.
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