How to Move Out at 16

Leaving home before the age of 18 is a major decision. Depending on your current situation, you may want to move out for various reasons. Before taking any steps, it’s important to take some time to reflect, ensuring you make a safe and legal decision before leaving home.

Understand the legal age of adulthood in your country. If you wish to move out and become fully independent from your parents or guardians, it’s important to research how the emancipation process works. While in Vietnam, the law specifies that individuals 18 and older are legally recognized as adults with full civil rights, there are other places where emancipation can occur without a strict legal process.

• In some countries, you automatically become an adult upon marrying at the age of 16.
• In others, if you enlist in the military before turning 18, you’re recognized as an early adult.
• You must have consent from your parents or guardians, as they will need to sign a consent form afterward.

Have a stable income. In order to be recognized as an early adult and move out at 16, you need to demonstrate to the court that you have a source of income. It’s crucial to understand labor laws for minors, including regulations on the maximum working hours allowed.

Find a safe place to live. When planning to be legally recognized as an early adult, it’s important to choose a safe place to live. Depending on the country, there may be different regulations regarding the rental contracts for minors.

• In Vietnam, contracts signed by minors may be void and not legally binding. A minor’s rental agreement needs to be signed by a parent or guardian.

Complete your secondary education. Depending on your country, you may be required to continue your studies. Therefore, choose a living place close to your school so you can work while keeping up with your education.

Complete all necessary paperwork. To live independently, there are several documents that need to be signed, most of which require the signature of your parents or guardian. These documents may vary depending on the country, so it’s essential to find the required paperwork online in advance.

• Depending on your location, some documents may need to be notarized by a third party (e.g., a notary public).

Submit your application to court if your area has a minor emancipation process. After verifying that you meet all the necessary criteria to be legally recognized as an early adult, submit your application to the local court. You will need to demonstrate your living arrangements and financial ability throughout this process.

• You can use bank statements to prove your financial capacity.
• The process of being recognized as an early adult may take more than six months, depending on your country of residence.

Try to convince your parents or guardians first. If you want to move out without going through legal processes, attempt to persuade your parents or guardians. Depending on the situation, your family might support your decision to live independently. Think about where you will stay before having a serious conversation about this with your family.

• If possible, consider living with or moving in with someone else. Prolonged isolation can have negative effects on both your physical and mental health.

Ask to live with a family member if your parents don’t allow you to live alone. If your parents don’t agree to let you move out, consider living with a relative. You’ll need to discuss this with both your parents or guardians and the relative to confirm the changes.

• In most countries, minors cannot live with relatives unless their parents or guardians approve.

Consider living with a trustworthy friend if your family won’t let you live alone. If your parents or guardians don’t want you to live alone or with other relatives, talk to a trustworthy friend to see if you can stay with them. You could offer to pay rent or do chores in exchange for the living arrangement. Even if they only agree to let you stay for a few weeks or months, it can give you some experience living away from home.

• If you plan to move into a friend’s house, make sure all members of their family agree to the change.

Don’t run away from home. No matter how suffocating your current living situation may feel, running away is not a viable solution. You likely don’t want to step into a new environment unprepared. Teenagers who run away often fall into addiction or criminal behavior.

• If you’re considering this, try reaching out to a youth support hotline or a trusted person to discuss your current situation.

Understand the rental laws for minors in your area. If you decide to live independently, you will need to find the nearest rental property or room. While some places allow minors to rent, it’s important to understand the law and ensure you have the finances to rent legally.

• Depending on your specific situation, consider co-signing the rental agreement with your parents or guardians (or another trusted adult) in case you can’t afford it in the future.

Search for rental properties or rooms online. Websites like Chợ Tốt connect you with hundreds of options in different cities. When searching online, make sure you know where you plan to move and for how long.

• If you struggle to find a place but still want to live alone, you might want to explore local shelters or volunteer groups.

Look for part-time work to cover living expenses. Due to restrictions on underage employment, you won’t be able to work full-time until you reach adulthood. Search online for part-time job opportunities nearby. Many websites require you to state that you are a minor.

• You can also earn money without a stable job. Freelance writing and online selling are viable ways to make money.

Create a budget to manage your personal finances more effectively. Depending on your new living situation, you’ll have monthly expenses like rent, utilities, and food. You should plan a budget that prioritizes essential needs.

• Use Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to create a budgeting spreadsheet. This way, you can easily break down rent, food, and other costs by month.
• After covering your essential expenses, you can start saving for fun needs (e.g., shopping, bubble tea, etc.).

Build your social circle. While moving out can signify growing independence, it's essential to stay connected with others. If you lack friends or family to confide in when feeling stressed, consider joining group activities to expand your social circle, such as joining clubs or engaging in sports.

• Public spaces (like churches, squares, etc.) offer numerous events that can help you stay socially engaged.