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My Honda Civic is 7 years old but only has 36K miles on it. Does changing the belt depend only on mileage or can time also be a factor?

 
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Time is a factor on all car parts, more for some than others, If the timing belt hasn't been serviced in seven years, I would recommend at least letting a decent mechanic take a look at it, even if you don't replace it. Better safe than sorry.

 
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Timing and mileage on a car is factor, but just to be safe you should have a mechanic look at everything and get a tune up at the same time.

 
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While mileage is quite important time is a factor as well. Over time rubber can brake down and the motor that you have is called an interference engine. This means that if your timing belt brakes then your valves and pistons are on a collision course. This means at the very least new head, or at least a valve job, but usually it you'll end up replacing the motor. Also if the timing belt drives the water pump have it replaced at the same time.