St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Americas
Age Verification Compliance Overview
This page provides comprehensive age verification and compliance information for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Our research team continuously monitors regulatory changes, enforcement actions, and legal developments to ensure businesses have access to up-to-date compliance intelligence.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintains a "Heavily Regulated" approach to age-restricted content. This classification indicates strict compliance requirements including mandatory age verification, specific technical implementations, regular audits, and substantial penalties for non-compliance. Businesses operating in this jurisdiction must implement comprehensive age assurance systems and maintain detailed compliance records. Legal consultation is strongly recommended before entering this market.
The information below includes regulatory status, legal requirements, enforcement mechanisms, penalties for non-compliance, acceptable verification methods, and relevant regulatory authorities. This data is essential for platforms, content providers, and businesses that need to implement age-appropriate access controls or verify user ages.
Minimum Age
18+ years
Required age for platform access
Age Gate Required
No
No verification required
Last Verified
10/12/2025
Most recent data update
Regulatory Timeline
Historical changes and upcoming regulatory events
- Heavily Regulated
CARICOM moves toward unified digital safety legislation: CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to take collective action towards a regional framework for digital safety legislation to protect children in the digital age, including establishing a Regional Digital Safety Commission.
- Heavily Regulated
Police warning on Cybercrime Act violations: The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force issued a public warning about increased violations of the Cybercrime Act, specifically Sections 14 (Child Pornography) and 15 (Private Images), emphasizing serious consequences for offenders.
- Heavily Regulated
ECPAT analysis on age of sexual consent: ECPAT's analysis states the age of sexual consent is 15 years for girls, with no minimum age for boys, and notes a four-year close-in-age exception.
- Heavily Regulated
Digicel Acceptable Use Policy Publication: Digicel published its Acceptable Use Policy, defining acceptable use of its services and prohibiting illegal activity, child pornography, and obscene content.
- Heavily Regulated
Data Protection Act 2021 came into force: The Data Protection Act (Commencement) Order (Statutory Instrument No. 4 of 2023) brought the Data Protection Act 2021 into force.
- Heavily Regulated
Data Protection Act 2021: Enactment of the Data Protection Act 2021 to regulate personal data processing and protect privacy rights.
- Heavily Regulated
UN Committee urges raising minimum age of marriage to 18: The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child noted a high prevalence of child abuse and child prostitution, urging St. Vincent and the Grenadines to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 for both girls and boys.
- Heavily Regulated
Minister agrees age of consent should be 18: Frederick Stephenson, Minister of National Mobilization, expressed agreement that the age of consent should be raised to 18, noting ongoing governmental discussions.
- Heavily Regulated
National Child Protection Policy launched: The Ministry of National Mobilization, in coordination with UNICEF, launched a National Child Protection Policy.
- Heavily Regulated
Cybercrime Act 2016: Enactment of the Cybercrime Act 2016 (Act No. 18 of 2016), addressing offenses related to cybercrimes including child exploitation and obscene publications.
- Heavily Regulated
Domestic Violence Act 2015: Amendment of the Domestic Violence Summary Proceedings Act of 1995, becoming the Domestic Violence Act of 2015.
- Heavily Regulated
Status of Children Act, Children (Care and Adoption) Act, Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (PTIP) Act: Enactment of the Status of Children Act, Children (Care and Adoption) Act, and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (PTIP) Act (No. 27 of 2011), which criminalizes trafficking including child exploitation.
- Heavily Regulated
Privacy Act 2003: Enactment of the Privacy Act 2003, though its provisions were not fully brought into force by an Order in the Gazette as of April 2025.
- Heavily Regulated
Domestic Violence Summary Proceedings Act: Enactment of the Domestic Violence Summary Proceedings Act.
- Heavily Regulated
Law of Minors Act amended: Amendment to the Law of Minors Act.
- Heavily Regulated
Criminal Code, Cap. 124 of the Revised Laws: Consolidation/enactment of the Criminal Code, Cap. 124, which includes sections on 'Obscene publications' and 'Indecent publications'.
- Heavily Regulated
Criminal Code Act: Enactment of the Criminal Code Act. The Law of Minors Act (1988) also defines 'minor' as a person under 18 years.
- Heavily Regulated
Law of Minors Act: Enactment of the Law of Minors Act.
- Heavily Regulated
Indictable Offences Amendment Ordinance: Repealed and replaced Sections 79(1) and 80, raising the age of consent from 13 to 15 years.
- Heavily Regulated
Juveniles Act: Enactment of the Juveniles Act.
Data Sources
Legal documents and references supporting this data
Showing 5 of 19 sources
searchlight.vcminister-agrees-consent-age-should-be-18
assembly.gov.vcSVG_Cybercrime_Act_2016.pdf
ntrc.vclegislation
lawgratis.comprivacy-law-at-saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines
en.wikipedia.orgMinistry_of_Legal_Affairs_(Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines)
All sources are evaluated for credibility and relevance. Primary sources indicate official legal documents and government publications. Credibility scores reflect source reliability based on jurisdiction, publication authority, and verification status.
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Regulatory Authorities
Regulator contacts will appear here as they become available.