Teens

How To Get An Abortion In Pennsylvania If You’re a Teen

If you are under 18, Pennsylvania requires you to get permission from one of your parents to have an abortion. Everyone’s situation is different: involving your parents or guardian may not be an option. If this applies to you, we can help you through the Judicial Bypass process.

Teens

How To Get An Abortion In Pennsylvania If You’re a Teen

If you are under 18, Pennsylvania requires you to get permission from one of your parents to have an abortion. Everyone’s situation is different: involving your parents or guardian may not be an option. If this applies to you, we can help you through the Judicial Bypass process.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Judicial Bypass:

If interested, please call our office at (484) 821-0821 and state that you are interested in a Judicial Bypass.
This information is not intended as legal advice or as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer. Please consult a lawyer if you have any questions about your rights. (This guide is specific to Pennsylvania law and regulations. Mandatory parental involvement laws are different in other states. Start with calling a clinic that performs abortion if you are seeking abortion services outside of Pennsylvania.)

If you are under 18 in Pennsylvania, you can meet privately with a judge who can give you permission for the abortion without telling your parents. This process is called “Judicial Bypass.”

No, you do not have to pay for a Judicial Bypass.

No, but you have a better chance of getting judicial consent with a lawyer’s help. Your lawyer will be free if you use one appointed by the court. We have a number of lawyers who volunteer their time to help with this process. 

This is not a trial. The hearing is usually informal and short. It is absolutely confidential. No one is allowed to attend except you, your lawyer, the judge, and possibly the judge’s clerk. If you would like a staff member from our clinic to be with you as well, we can gladly request this if it makes you more comfortable.

The judge is required to answer one question: is this young person mature enough to make their own decisions? If the answer is yes, the judge must give  permission for the abortion regardless of how he or she feels about it. You must also tell the judge that you have been counseled by a medical provider about your options and the risks of abortion.

The judge usually decides during the hearing, but at the latest, the judge must decide within three business days after you file your application. If the judge does not decide within three business days, you have the right to a free, confidential, and speedy appeal to a higher court.

We know of only very few cases out of thousands over the past 20+ years in which a Pennsylvania judge denied a bypass petition, and in all of those few cases, the minor was ultimately able to end the pregnancy. If denied, your lawyer can file an immediate appeal with the state Superior Court, which must decide within five business days. If you do not have a lawyer, we can help you find one.

Yes, but adults who are accompanying minors under 14 to out-of-state abortion providers should contact a lawyer to ensure they are not violating Pennsylvania’s interference with custody of a minor law.

Call the Women’s Law Project at (412) 281-2892. We closely work with them when it comes to Judicial Bypass cases.

Pregnancy Calculator

Enter the first day of your last period to see your options

Please use this calculator before selecting your options from the appointment form below. Note: Seeing a trained medical professional is the only way to accurately determine the length of your pregnancy and what options are available.

One in four people will terminate a pregnancy during their lifetime. You are not alone in your decision to have an abortion. We understand and we’re here to help with compassionate abortion care.

At Allentown Women’s Center, we use a model of trauma-informed care which means that we understand, recognize, and respond to the effects of different types of trauma.

We understand, and recognize, the effects of different types of trauma.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or violence, having a gynecological exam or pregnancy termination may be difficult. Our goal is to provide you with a safe, affirming space where you help us plan the best approach for your visit.

When making your appointment, please feel free to let us know what your needs are for your visit (i.e. preferred positions, safe words, avoiding trigger words, clothing). If it is too difficult to discuss this over the phone, we are happy to identify and accommodate your needs once you are here.

Learn more…

AWC offers free, one-hour Pregnancy Options Counseling sessions by appointment, which include a complimentary pregnancy test.

By appointment — includes a complimentary pregnancy test. Our patient advocates are trained and experienced in talking about abortions, adoption, and parenthood without pressure or judgment.

They are available to help you find the solution that is best for you and your life right now. Call any time during our office hours and a staff member will assist you.

Learn more…

Payment for Allentown Women’s Center services can be made out-of-pocket or billed to your insurance company.

There has been an increase of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) #FakeClinics opening up next door to #RealClinics and advertising online under “abortion clinic” searches. Fake clinics do not offer abortions. Learn more about fake clinics. We have the #REALCLINICS badge, because Allentown Women’s Center is a REAL abortion clinic offering the abortion pill and surgical abortion.

Learn more…

Under Pennsylvania law, every patient must receive state-mandated information from a physician at least 24 hours before her procedure can begin. 

Learn more…

Allentown Women’s Center’s trained and experienced staff provide extremely safe medical care in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

Learn more…