Many states have laws that require minors—girls under 18—to get a parent’s permission before having an abortion. This is called parental consent.

If a minor wants an abortion and doesn’t want to involve her parents, and she lives in a state that requires parental permission for an abortion or parental notification that she is going to have an abortion, there is another option. She can go before a judge and the judge can give permission instead of the parent(s) or guardian(s). This is called judicial bypass. The hotline run by the National Abortion Federation can be very helpful for learning your rights: 1-800-772-9100.

Some states require teens to wait a certain period of time between making the decision to have an abortion and actually getting it. This is called a waiting period.
To find out the laws in your state, go to our section called Sex in the States or visit NARAL Pro-Choice America’s Web site.