In New York State do you need parental consent to get an abortion?

Do you need parental consent to get an abortion?

Short answer: No.

Under New York law, a minor who understands the risks and benefits of proposed and alternative treatments can consent to: • Reproductive health care, including family planning (i.e., birth control and other contraception), emergency contraception, abortion, and all prenatal care.

If you are under 18 years old and you are pregnant, you can consent to all health services relating to prenatal care.

Virtually any medical, dental, health and hospital treatment that a pregnant woman receives can be regarded as “relating to prenatal care.”

For this reason, a pregnant teen can consent to all, or almost all, health care services on her own behalf, including abortion.

For more information download the  New York Civil Liberties Union pamphlet on Teenagers, Health Care and the Law.