Accessing Services as a Minor

In the state of California teens can get the following services without needing permission from their parents or anyone else:

• Birth Control (Including Emergency Contraception)
  You have the right to make your own decisions about using birth control and no one can force you to use birth control if you don't want to. There are many different kinds of birth control, from condoms, to the Pill, to low-maintenance methods like the IUD and implant. Learn more about your birth control choices..
   
• Prevention, Testing and Treatment for STIs 
  Permission is not required to get tested and treated for STIs, sometimes called STDs, if you are at least 12 years old. STI testing and treatment is confidential so you doctor can't tell your parents or guardians. You can also access STI prevention services, including the HPV vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccination and HIV pre- and post- exposure medications. Find a clinic near you for prevention, testing and treatment. Learn more about the various types of STIs and their treatment.
   
• Pregnancy Testing and Prenatal Care
  If you think you may be pregnant, you can get tested without getting permission from anyone else. The earlier you know that you're pregnant, the more choices you have so you should take a pregnancy test right away. If you are pregnant, what you do is your choice.  You can stay pregnant and become a parent, give the baby up, or end the pregnancy by having an abortion.
   
• Abortion Services
  Abortion is a legal health service in California that you can access at any age. That means you have the right to get an abortion and you don't need permission from anyone.  If someone tells you otherwise, they are misleading you. Visit our abortion resources for a list of organizations you can contact for additional information.

You also have the right to access additional services for mental health, rape, sexual assault, child abuse, and drug/alcohol treatment. Visit teenhealthlaw.org for a complete list of health services you can access as a minor without getting your parents involved.