In the United States, each state has different laws and policies about whether or not minors — anyone under the age of 18 — may get contraceptive prescriptions and counseling from a health care professional. Twenty-one states explicitly allow all minors to consent to contraceptive services without parental permission.
Twenty-five states permit minors to consent to contraceptive services in one or more circumstances. The vast majority allow a married minor to recieve contraceptive services.
Three states allow minors to consent to contraceptive services if a physician determines that the minor would face a health hazard otherwise.
A few states allow a minor who is a parent or has ever been pregnant to consent to services.
Ten states allow a minor to consent if the minor meets other various requirements, including being a high school graduate, reaching a certain age, demonstrating maturity, or receiving a referral from a specified professional, such as a physician or member of the clergy.
Four states have no explicit policy on whether or not minors may consent to contraceptive services. Even when a state has no clear policy or law, physicians may decide to provide medical care to a mature minor without parental consent, particularly if the state allows a minor to consent to other related health services.
| STATE | CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES |
| Alabama | Minors over 14 years, who have completed HS, who are married, or who have a child may get any health care services. |
| Alaska | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Arizona | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Arkansas | All minors with no restrictions. |
| California | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Colorado | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Connecticut | Minors who are married. |
| Delaware | For minors who are 12 and over, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| District of Columbia | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Florida | Minors who require contraceptives for health reasons, who are married, have a child, are pregnant, or who have ever been pregnant. |
| Georgia | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Hawaii | For minors 14 and over, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| Idaho | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Illinois | Minors who require contraceptives for health reasons, who are married, have a child, are pregnant, who have ever been pregnant, or who have a refrral. |
| Indiana | Minors who are married. |
| Iowa | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Kansas | Minors who are mature. |
| Kentucky | All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| Louisiana | Minors who are married. |
| Maine | Minors who require contraceptives for health reasons, who are married, or have a child. |
| Maryland | All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| Massachusetts | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Michigan | Minors who are married. |
| Minnesota | All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| Mississippi | Minors who are married, have a child, or who have a referral. |
| Missouri | Minors who are married. |
| Montana | All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| Nebraska | Minors who are married. |
| Nevada | Minors who are married. Minors who have a child or who are mature may get any health care services. |
| New Hampshire | Minors who are mature. |
| New Jersey | Minors who are are married, pregnant, or who have ever been pregnant may get any health care services. |
| New Mexico | All minors with no restrictions. |
| New York | All minors with no restrictions. |
| North Carolina | All minors with no restrictions. |
| North Dakota | No explicit policy. |
| Ohio | No explicit policy. |
| Oklahoma | Minors who are are married, pregnant, or who have ever been pregnant. |
| Oregon | All minors with no restrictions. However, the physician may, but is not required to, inform the parents. |
| Pennsylvania | Minors who are are married, pregnant, have ever been pregnant, or graduated HS may get any health care services. |
| Rhode Island | No explicit policy. |
| South Carolina | Minors who are married, 16 or over, or who are mature. |
| South Dakota | Minors who are married. |
| Tennessee | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Texas | Minors who are married. State funds may not be used. |
| Utah | Minors who are married. State funds may not be used. |
| Vermont | Minors who are married. |
| Virginia | All minors with no restrictions. |
| Washington | All minors with no restrictions. |
| West Virginia | Minors who are married. |
| Wisconsin | No explicit policy. |
| Wyoming | All minors with no restrictions. |
Source: "Minors Access to Contraceptive Services,"
State Policies in Brief, AGI, Dec 1, 2005. (pdf)
Go to related section [contraceptive failure & teens]
The information provided on Contracept.org is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. We encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician or nutritionist if they have any concerns regarding health issues related to diet, personal image and any other topics discussed on this site. Neither the owners or employees of Contracept.org nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
