parental consent

The rules about abortion are different depending on where you live. In some states, you can get an abortion without telling your parents. In others, there are Parental Consent or Parental Notification laws.

• Parental Consent means that you will need to get permission from a parent if you are under a certain age, usually 18.
• Parental Notification means that you will have to tell a parent if you are under a certain age, usually 18, but you don't need their permission.

The chart below shows the current situation for each state (last updated on 7/2007). There is also information on state law makers that may be trying to change the law, which can happen at anytime.  You can find detailed information on your reproductive rights and monthly reports on Parental Consent/Notification laws at the website for the Alan Guttmacher Institute.

If you are thinking about an abortion and live where there is a Parental Consent/Notification law, it's a good idea to call a clinic in your state (or the Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100) and talk with someone about your options. Usually you can get around telling your parents by going to a clinic in a state without these restrictions or, explaining your situation to a judge (this is called Judicial Bypass). But this can take time, so call right away.

Parental Consent Laws are enacted on a state by state basis. They can be fought state by state too, so get involved. Abortion Rights organizations are listed in Resources under activism.

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