Parental Consent and Notification Laws
Updated Nov 3, 2022
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which means that states can now ban abortion. Some states have banned abortion or created lots of restrictions. But abortion is NOT banned nationwide. Abortion is still legal in many states, and it's legal to go to a different state to get an abortion.
Laws about abortion continue to change — this page is updated often, but it may not have the newest information. You can find more information about laws in your state and how to get an abortion at AbortionFinder.org.
If abortion is legal in your state, or if you're traveling to another state where abortion is legal, there may still be other laws that affect you if you're under 18. The exact rules are different in different places. Find information on your state below.
Some states say you have to get permission from a parent or older family member to have an abortion. Other states don’t make you get permission, but your parents will have to know that you’re getting an abortion. And some states don't have any laws about telling your parents or getting their permission.
If your state does have parental involvement laws, you may be able to get a judge's permission to have an abortion without telling your parents. This is called "judicial bypass".
You’re not alone. If you’re pregnant and want to have an abortion, call your nearest Planned Parenthood health center as soon as possible. They can help explain the laws in your state, let you know what your options are, and give you tips on talking with your parents. You can also visit AbortionFinder.org.
Be careful to go to a real health center and not a crisis pregnancy center — these are anti-abortion clinics that don’t offer a full range of real health care, won’t give you honest information about your pregnancy options, and usually don’t have to follow privacy laws. Planned Parenthood or AbortionFinder.org can help you find a trustworthy health care provider.
It's important to take action right away. Abortion is very safe, but there are more risks the longer you wait. If you need a judicial bypass, it can take a while to get through the process. There are also time limits on abortion in some states. And if you live in a state where abortion is illegal, you may have to go to another state to get an abortion, and it can take time to arrange travel. Planned Parenthood or another trusted abortion provider can explain your options and connect you with resources that may be able to help you make an appointment and pay for travel or other costs.
Alabama
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Alaska
No parental involvement requirement.
Arizona
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Arkansas
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
California
No parental involvement requirement.
Colorado
Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement. If you do not live with your parents, but you live with a grandparent, or an adult aunt or uncle, the adult relative you live with may be told in place of your parents.
Connecticut
No parental involvement requirement.
Delaware
If you are under 16, your state requires that one of your parents, a grandparent or a mental health professional be told of your decision 24 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)
No parental involvement requirement.
Florida
Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion and give permission for the abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Georgia
Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 24 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Hawaii
No parental involvement requirement.
Idaho
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Illinois
No parental involvement requirement.
Indiana
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement, but the judge may notify your parent unless they believe that telling a parent would be harmful to you.
Iowa
Your state requires that one of your parents or a grandparent be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Kansas
Your state requires that both of your parents give permission for your abortion. If your parents are separated or divorced, only the parent with custody needs to give permission. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Kentucky
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Louisiana
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Maine
No parental involvement requirement.
Maryland
Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision before your abortion, unless you do not live with either parent and a reasonable effort to give notice is unsuccessful. A doctor can excuse you from this requirement.
Massachusetts
If you are under 16, your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement. Planned Parenthood in Massachusetts has specially trained staff who can help you obtain a judicial bypass.
Michigan
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Minnesota
No parental involvement requirement.
Mississippi
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Missouri
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Montana
If you are under 16, your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Nebraska
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Nevada
No parental involvement requirement.
New Hampshire
Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
New Jersey
No parental involvement requirement.
New Mexico
No parental involvement requirement.
New York
No parental involvement requirement.
North Carolina
Your state requires that one of your parents, or a grandparent with whom you have lived for at least six months immediately preceding the abortion, give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
North Dakota
Your state requires that both of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Ohio
Your state requires that a parent or legal guardian give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Oklahoma
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Oregon
No parental involvement requirement.
Pennsylvania
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
Rhode Island
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
South Carolina
If you are under 17, your state requires that one of your parents or a grandparent give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.
South Dakota
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Tennessee
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Texas
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Utah
Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, and separately that one parent is notified of your decision 24 hours before the abortion takes place. A judge can excuse you from the consent requirement.
Vermont
No parental involvement requirement.
Virginia
Your state requires that one of your parents or a grandparent or adult sibling with whom you live give permission for your abortion, and separately that one parent or a grandparent or adult sibling with whom you live be told of your decision 24 hours before the abortion takes place. A judge can excuse you from both of these requirements.
Washington
No parental involvement requirement.
West Virginia
Abortion is illegal in this state, with very limited exceptions. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Wisconsin
There is a ban in this state and abortion is not available. But you may be able to get an abortion in other states. You can find your nearest abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Wyoming
Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion and give permission for the abortion. A judge can excuse you from these requirements.