State Guide
Age of Consent in Vermont
A plain-English guide to the age of consent in Vermont, cited to 13 V.S.A. § 3252. A genuine close-in-age exemption is built directly into the sexual assault statute, based on the offender’s own age rather than a numeric gap.
Exemption if offender is under 19, victim 15+Vermont at a glance
The core figures from this guide, in one place.
| Age of consent | 16 |
|---|---|
| Governing statute | 13 V.S.A. § 3252(c) (Sexual Assault) |
| Close-in-age mechanism | Exempt if offender is under 19 and victim is 15 or older |
| Age-based defense, if any | None needed — statute simply doesn’t apply if conditions are met |
| Related offense | Sexual exploitation of a minor (authority) — 13 V.S.A. § 3258 |
Overview
Vermont sets its age of consent at 16. 13 V.S.A. Section 3252(c) makes it sexual assault to engage in a sexual act with a child under 16, but the statute states two exceptions: where the two people are married and the act is consensual, or where the actor is under 19, the child is at least 15, and the act is consensual.
The second exception is Vermont’s genuine close-in-age allowance. It depends on the actor being under 19 and the child being at least 15, not on the numeric gap between their ages.
Age of consent in Vermont
Section 3252(c) prohibits a sexual act with a child under 16 except in the two circumstances above. A related, more serious statute, Section 3253(a)(8), makes it aggravated sexual assault where the victim is under 13 and the actor is 18 or older, with no close-in-age allowance for that combination.
Close-in-age rules in Vermont
Section 3252(c)(2) requires two conditions together: the actor must be under 19, and the child must be at least 15. If either condition fails, for example if the actor is 19 or the child is only 14, this specific exception does not apply.
Exceptions and defenses
Marriage between the two people is a separate, independent exclusion from Section 3252(c), regardless of age. A related statute, Section 3258, makes it a separate crime for someone at least 48 months older than a minor to engage in a sexual act while holding a position of power, authority, or supervision over that minor, arising from a professional or volunteer role such as coaching or instruction. This authority-based offense operates independently of the close-in-age exemption described above.
Applicable statutes
The codified Vermont law this guide is drawn from.
Practical examples
Example 1. An 18-year-old and a 15-year-old, consensual. Because the actor is under 19 and the child is at least 15, this fits the exemption.
Example 2. A 20-year-old and a 15-year-old, consensual, a five-year gap. Because the actor is 19 or older, the exemption does not apply, even though a smaller-gap combination elsewhere would be exempt.
Example 3. An 18-year-old and a 14-year-old, consensual. Because the child is under 15, the exemption does not apply regardless of the actor’s age.
Frequently asked questions about Vermont
What is the age of consent in Vermont?
16. 13 V.S.A. Section 3252(c) makes it sexual assault to engage in a sexual act with a child under 16, with two stated exceptions.
Does Vermont have a Romeo and Juliet law?
Yes, a genuine one, built directly into the statute. It applies where the actor is under 19 and the child is at least 15, and the conduct is consensual.
Is this the same as a typical age-gap exemption?
No. Vermont looks at the actor’s own age ceiling (under 19), not the size of the gap between the two people.
Does a position of authority change anything?
Yes. A separate offense applies where someone at least 48 months older holds a position of power, authority, or supervision over a minor, regardless of the close-in-age exemption.
Are married couples treated differently?
Yes. Marriage is a separate, independent exclusion from Section 3252(c), regardless of age.
Official sources
Primary and official sources this guide is built from.
Vermont vs. a numeric gap state
Vermont’s exemption is measured differently from most other states.
| Feature | Vermont | A gap-based state |
|---|---|---|
| What determines the exemption | Offender’s own age (under 19) | The size of the gap between the two people |
| Minimum victim age for exemption | 15 | Varies |
| Marital exclusion | Yes, separate and independent | Varies |
About this guide
Who wrote it, who reviewed it, and when it was last checked.
RomeoAndJulietLaw.com Editorial Team
Drafted directly from the Vermont Statutes Online via the official Vermont Legislature website.
Pending attorney review
This guide has not yet been checked by a licensed Vermont attorney. It is sourced and cited, but should not be treated as attorney-reviewed until this line is updated with a named reviewer.
Primary source for this guide
Editorial notes
This guide reflects 13 V.S.A. §§ 3252 and 3258 as of 27 July 2026, drawn directly from the official Vermont Legislature website. It has not yet been reviewed by a licensed Vermont attorney; treat it as sourced and current-as-drafted, not as attorney-verified, until the reviewer field above is updated.