Jurisdiction Guide
Age of Consent in the District of Columbia
A plain-English guide to the age of consent in the District of Columbia, cited to D.C. Code § 22-3009. DC splits its protections into a “child” tier (under 16) with a genuine gap allowance, and a “minor” tier (16–17) protected only through significant relationships.
Close-in-age allowance under 4 years, ages under 16District of Columbia at a glance
The core figures from this guide, in one place.
| Age of consent | 16 |
|---|---|
| Governing statute | D.C. Code § 22-3009 (Second Degree Child Sexual Abuse) |
| Close-in-age mechanism, under 16 | Not covered if offender is under 4 years older |
| 16–17 tier | Covered only through a “significant relationship” — § 22-3009.01/.02 |
| Related offense | Enticing a child or minor — D.C. Code § 22-3010 |
Overview
The District of Columbia defines “child” as someone under 16 for its child sexual abuse statutes, and “minor” as someone under 18 for its separate sexual abuse of a minor statutes. D.C. Code Section 22-3009 makes it second degree child sexual abuse for someone at least four years older than a child to engage in sexual contact with that child. Below that gap, this provision does not apply.
For a 16 or 17 year old, a different framework applies: Sections 22-3009.01 and 22-3009.02 only reach an offender 18 or older who is in a “significant relationship” with the minor, such as a parent, guardian, or similar role. An ordinary peer relationship with a 16 or 17 year old is not covered by these sections at all.
Age of consent in DC
Section 22-3009 applies to sexual contact where the offender is at least four years older than a child under 16, carrying up to 10 years. Section 22-3009.01 addresses a sexual act with a minor by someone 18 or older in a significant relationship, carrying up to 15 years; Section 22-3009.02 covers sexual contact under the same significant-relationship condition, carrying up to 7.5 years.
Close-in-age rules in DC
For a child under 16, Section 22-3009 requires the offender to be at least four years older for sexual contact. If the offender is less than four years older, this provision does not reach the conduct.
Exceptions and defenses
A related statute, Section 22-3010, makes it a separate offense for someone at least four years older than a child, or in a significant relationship with a minor, to entice that child or minor to a location for the purpose of committing one of these offenses, or to seduce or persuade the child or minor into a sexual act or contact.
Applicable statutes
The codified DC law this guide is drawn from.
Practical examples
Example 1. A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, sexual contact, a two-year gap. Because the gap is under four years, Section 22-3009 does not reach this conduct.
Example 2. A 14-year-old and a 20-year-old, sexual contact, a six-year gap. This meets the four-year threshold, so second degree child sexual abuse applies.
Example 3. A 17-year-old and a 30-year-old, an ordinary dating relationship, no guardianship or authority role. Because there is no significant relationship, Sections 22-3009.01 and 22-3009.02 do not reach this conduct.
Frequently asked questions about DC
What is the age of consent in the District of Columbia?
16. D.C. Code Section 22-3009 makes it a crime for someone at least four years older to have sexual contact with a child under 16.
Does DC have a Romeo and Juliet law?
Yes, a genuine one for the under-16 tier. Section 22-3009 does not apply if the offender is less than four years older.
Does this allowance apply to 16 and 17 year olds too?
Not in the same way. For a 16 or 17 year old, coverage depends entirely on whether the offender holds a significant relationship, such as a parent or guardian, not on a numeric gap.
What counts as a significant relationship?
The statute applies this concept to roles like parent, guardian, or similar positions of responsibility over the minor, rather than an ordinary peer or dating relationship.
Is there a separate enticement offense?
Yes. Section 22-3010 addresses enticing or seducing a child or minor toward a sexual act, using the same age-gap or significant-relationship conditions as the underlying offenses.
Official sources
Primary and official sources this guide is built from.
Two tiers, two different tests
DC’s protection changes shape entirely at age 16.
| Victim age | Test |
|---|---|
| Under 16 (“child”) | Offender 4+ years older |
| 16–17 (“minor”) | Significant relationship required, no gap test |
About this guide
Who wrote it, who reviewed it, and when it was last checked.
RomeoAndJulietLaw.com Editorial Team
Drafted directly from the D.C. Official Code via the official DC Law Library.
Pending attorney review
This guide has not yet been checked by a licensed DC 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 D.C. Code §§ 22-3009, 22-3009.01, 22-3009.02, and 22-3010 as of 27 July 2026, drawn directly from the official DC Law Library. It has not yet been reviewed by a licensed DC attorney; treat it as sourced and current-as-drafted, not as attorney-verified, until the reviewer field above is updated.