Q. Is abortion legal? A. Yes. Abortion is legal throughout the United States for women and girls, regardless of age.
Q. Are there time limits? A. Yes. Abortion is legal for about the first six months of pregnancy. After that, most states ban abortions, except in limited circumstances, like saving the woman's life or preserving her health.
However, most abortion providers perform abortions only in early pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, a woman may have to travel farther and pay more for an abortion. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to seek care as early as possible in your pregnancy.
Q. How can I find an abortion provider? A. Look in the phone book under abortion or birth control, ask your doctor or clinician, or call your nearest Planned Parenthood center. Locate your nearest Planned Parenthood center by calling 1-800-230-PLAN or visiting our Find a Health Center page.
Be aware that hundreds of so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" have been established across the country to frighten women away from choosing abortion. Your local Planned Parenthood center will be able to direct you to a reputable clinic that will not try to influence your decision one way or another.
Q. Will I have to tell my parents if I want an abortion? A. It depends. In some states, this is not required at all. But many states require that a young woman under age 18 get permission from one or both parents for her abortion. Others require that the parents be notified of the abortion, but allow the abortion to take place, even if the parents object. A few states allow a grandparent or other relative to be involved instead of parents. In most states, a legal guardian may consent or be notified in place of parents.
In nearly all states with these parental consent or parental notice requirements, a teenager can ask permission from a judge to have the abortion without involving her parents. The judge must grant permission to a teen who is mature enough to decide about the abortion on her own, or to a teen who convinces the judge that she would be harmed by involving her parents. This is called a "judicial bypass."
Even if you live in a state that has no parental consent or notice law, some abortion providers may require a parent's permission or involvement before they perform an abortion.
Call your local Planned Parenthood center for more information on legal requirements, going to court, and where to obtain a confidential abortion.
You can also check out related story about consent laws in your state.
Sexuality and relationship info you can trust from Planned Parenthood® Federation of America
Printable Version
Email this page