How old do you have to be to buy condoms?

The short answer is that you don't have to be a certain age to buy condoms. If you go to your local supermarket, pharmacy or a gas station, the clerk working at the cashier register typically does not ask you for your identification.

So there isn’t really a legal age to buy condoms in the U.S.A. On the other hand, there is a legal age to have sex that is generally referred to as the age of consent, which varies throughout the 50 states in America.

We put together a list of the age of consent by state. All the age groups below are in no way clean-cut answers to the age of consent by state. There are several age scenarios between the partners to make it legal to have sex, and laws change over time. There are serious jail sentences in every state for breaking these laws.

Age of 16

Sixteen is the age of consent if you live in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Main, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington or West Virginia.

Age of 17

Seventeen is the age of consent if you live in Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York or Texas.

Age of 18

Eighteen is the age of consent if you live in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin or Wyoming.

Let's get back to the buying part for the moment.

Where to buy?

You can buy condoms from any place like drugstores, selected grocery stores, gas stations and even online.

When to buy?

If you think you might need condoms, you should make a small investment to buy some, so you always have them around when the time comes. Depending on the brand and quantity, a box/pack of 12 condoms usually goes for around $10. You can also get free or low cost condoms at many health centers. So speak with your health care provider if you are in need and they will point you in the right direction.

What kind to buy?

With a plethora of condoms out there it can feel like a difficult task to choose, especially when it's new for you. We are here to tell you that it's not difficult at all. There are a handful of brands out on the market, and you get to choose from four sizes and several types. Do a little bit of research and you'll be in to know about condoms in no time.

How many to buy?

Condoms come in boxes or packs. Box count varies by manufacturer, but 10 or 12 counts are the most usual. Depending on the type of the material and some other factors, the general shelf life is at least several years. That fact alone shows that you have a long time to put your condom pack to use.If for whatever reason they expire before you could use them, toss them and buy new ones.

To sum it up

You do not have to be a certain age to buy condoms nor do you really need to have parental consent to obtain condoms. If you are a child, who obviously hasn’t reached the age of consent in your state, you may get questioned, and rightfully so.

Some government agencies do provide condoms for teens for free. Their selection is limited so don't expect otherwise. And, you will also have to face the person working there. So if this is something you simply don't want, do it the modern way. Buy condoms online, and everything should be hassle-free regarding the awkward moments.

And, if you are serious about your sexual health, investing a few dollars to premium branded condoms is a wise choice to make.