Understanding Teen Abortion Care
Frequently Asked Questions About Teens and Abortions
Yes, however, if you are under 18 years old state laws in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia require you to get permission from one parent or legal guardian OR you can seek a Judicial Bypass from a local judge. We are here to help you navigate the laws.
Absolutely! For talking to your parents or trusted folks about your pregnancy, we recommend any or all of the following resources:
Call us at 800-298-8874 to speak to one of our patient navigators about your options.
Visit Jane’s Due Process blog post about talking to parents about your pregnancy.
You can speak to a counselor about all of your pregnancy options at Just Choice, which provides pregnancy support and adoption options, call 866-989-1466.
Pregnancy Options Workbook online offers guidance for you and your parents having this conversation.
No, you do not have to pay money for a judicial bypass. There is no cost to you.
Yes, you can. While we encourage minors, who are able and comfortable speaking to their parents about their pregnancy and decision to have an abortion to do so, we know that this is not always possible. You have the right to timely and confidential judicial bypass.
Parental consent to get abortion care is NOT required if:
- there is a medical emergency (certified by an attending physician) and there is insufficient time to obtain consent;
- a court has emancipated you;
- you have a minor child dependent upon you; or
- you are or have been, married.
If you are exempt from parental notification, the following document(s) will be required at the clinic:
- a state-issued marriage license or divorce certificate, if you are married or divorced;
- the child’s birth certificate, if you have a dependent child;
- court order, if emancipated.
In Florida, if you are under 18 years old parental consent is a state law that requires you to have written permission from either a parent or legal guardian, for you to have an abortion. This permission must be notarized. This means that your parent or legal guardian has to complete paperwork that says they know and consent to your abortion procedure. This statement must be signed and stamped by a notary public (our clinic can help you with this). Your parent or legal guardian must attach one form of government-issued identification to the notarized document. [3]
If you are under 18 years old, in North Carolina, parental consent is a state law that requires you to have written permission from either a parent or legal guardian, for you to have an abortion. [4]
In Virginia, if you are under 18 years old, parental consent is a state law that requires you to have written permission from either a parent or legal guardian, for you to have an abortion. This permission must be notarized. This means that your parent or legal guardian has to complete paperwork that says they know and consent to your abortion procedure. This statement must be signed and stamped by a notary public (our clinic can help you with this). Your parent or legal guardian must attach one form of government-issued identification to the notarized document.
If you are under 18 years old, you can meet privately with a judge who may grant permission for the abortion without telling your parent or legal guardian. This process is called a judicial bypass or judicial waiver.
If you live in Florida and would like to read more information about the judicial bypass process, please visit teenabortionflorida.com
If you are receiving care in North Carolina and would like to read more information about the judicial bypass process, please visit carolinaabortionfund.org
If you are receiving care in Virginia and would like to read more information about parental involvement and the judicial bypass, please visit reprolegalhelpline.org
No, however, we strongly recommend one to help you navigate the process. Please note that you have the right to request a court-appointed lawyer, at no cost, to guide you through the process and accompany you to the hearing.
Our clinic can connect you with an attorney to represent you free of charge. Please call and speak to a patient navigator at 800-298-8874.
In Florida, you contact The Jane Network at [email protected] for help. Fill out this form.
If you’re seeking care in North Carolina or VA and would like to be connected, confidentially, with a lawyer to help you navigate the process, visit the Repro Legal Helpline.
In Florida you will need to complete two forms:
Sworn Statement of True Name and Pseudonym, and
Granted Judicial Bypass Petition.
For details about the judicial bypass process in North Carolina, read Instructions for Minor Petitioner. If you’re filling out the petition for yourself, fill out this petition form.
For more information and assistance, contact us at 800-298-8874 and our staff will work to connect you with an attorney, either court-appointed or pro bono, to help you fill out the forms.
[1] Fla. Stat. § 390.01114. July 1, 2020. Fla. SB 404, § 6 (2020); Fla. SB 406, § 3 (2020).
[2] Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-241.(Amend and Reenacted 2021).
[3] Fla. Stat. § 390.01114. July 1, 2020. Fla. SB 404, § 6 (2020); Fla. SB 406, § 3 (2020).
[4] N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 90-21.6 (Enacted 1995; Last Amended 1998), 90-21.7 (Enacted 1995), 90-21.8 (Enacted 1995; Last Amended 2000).
