For Teens
If you're a teenager facing a decision about pregnancy, we are here to help you. Our patient advocates will help you think about your options so you can make the best decision for you. One of your biggest concerns right now may be who to tell about your pregnancy and how they might react. We encourage you to talk to a parent if you can and to involve them in your decision-making.
Mom, Dad, I’m Pregnant is an excellent two-part website (1 part for you, 1 part for your parents) with helpful advice on having this conversation.
If you feel like you can’t talk to your parents, you should talk to someone you trust and seek advice from adults you respect and feel respected by. You can also call Preterm and talk to us about your questions and concerns, or even schedule a counseling-only appointment with a patient advocate.
In Ohio, the law says that one of your parents or legal guardians must sign a consent form if you want to have an abortion, unless you are married or emancipated. This is called “Parental Consent.” Usually, it’s done at the clinic when your parent or guardian accompanies you here for either your first or your second appointment. You may also bring a notarized Parental Consent Form with you if your parent or guardian cannot be here.
If you cannot involve a parent or you feel like it would not be safe to do so, the law does give you an alternative, called a “Judicial Bypass,” which means having a hearing with a judge at the Juvenile Court. The court will appoint a lawyer to assist you at no charge.
Parental Consent
On the day of your appointment, you and your parent or guardian must bring the following:
- A picture ID for both you and your parent (This can be a driver’s license or picture ID from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a Medicaid identification and current medical card, or a work or school picture ID with your birth date.)
- Your birth certificate
If your parent can’t come with you to your appointment, you can bring a notarized Parental Consent form. “Notarized” means your parent fills out and signs the form in front of a Notary Public who then signs and stamps the form.
Parental Consent forms are available at Preterm. You can get the form notarized at Preterm, at most banks, or look in the Yellow Pages under “Notary Public.”
Judicial Bypass
If you don’t believe that you can involve a parent, you can go to Juvenile Court and have a hearing with a judge. The judge will decide if you’re mature enough to make this decision by yourself. The court appoints an attorney for your case at no cost to you. If you bring an immediate family member who is over 18, it may make the process easier. The entire process is confidential. If the judge grants you a bypass, you’ll get a “document of approval,” which you bring with you to your appointment.
To start the Judicial Bypass process in Cuyahoga County, you need to:
- Get a pregnancy test at a clinic and get the results in writing. Preterm offers low-cost pregnancy tests.
- Call Juvenile Court Intake Services at 216.698.6545, Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm. (If you have trouble reaching someone at the court to set up an appointment, keep trying rather than leaving your name and phone number. Court professionals hesitate to call minors at home for fear of reaching their parents and causing the minor a problem. If you’re absolutely sure that you can leave a safe phone number, then say so to the person at Juvenile Court. Otherwise, say you’ll call back.)
Please call us if you have any questions.
