When does computation of age occur for legal purposes?

• A. On the day after birth
• B. On the anniversary of the birthdate
• C. On the next birthday
• D. On the birthdate

Answer: (B)

Age for legal purposes is based on completed years since birth and increases on the birthday each year. So the age is determined on the anniversary of the birthdate—the day you reach another full year of life. On that date you become one year older for all legal reasons and stay that age until your next birthday. The day after birth is too early because you haven’t completed a year yet, and the birthdate itself marks the moment you were born (0 years old). The next birthday and the anniversary refer to the same annual milestone, but the standard legal phrasing is the anniversary of the birthdate.