Women’s Health Center of West Virginia
304-344-9834 / 800-642-8670

Minors who are seeking abortion in West Virginia have a choice of involving their parent or guardian or seeking a waiver of parent or guardian notification. Minors who are married, graduated from high school, or legally emancipated are exempt from this process and may sign their consents themselves.

A minor who wishes to tell her parent or guardian about the pregnancy may do one of the following:

1. Bring a parent or guardian with her to the clinic to sign consent forms.

2. Have the parent or guardian sign a letter before a notary public stating that he or she waives the right to be notified about the abortion procedure and bring only the letter with her to the clinic.

A minor who does not wish to tell a parent or guardian may select one of the following options:

1. Obtain a waiver letter from a doctor who is not associated with the clinic, indicating that the doctor finds that the girl is mature enough to make the abortion decision on her own, or that it would not be in the girl’s best interest to notify her parent or guardian.

2. Obtain a waiver by a judge. Details on this option may be obtained by calling our office.

Our telephone counseling staff will discuss the documentation needed to prove eligibility for exemptions and provide instructions on the exact language needed in letters. Please call for more information on requirements for minors.

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