When can a minor access health care without parental consent?

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

Yes, but only if no adult is readily available.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

If no adult is readily available, you can get emergency medical services RCW 7.70.050(4).

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

No, consent from an authorized adult is required unless at least one of these is true:

1. Effective June 9, 2022, the youth is experiencing homelessness and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian SSB 5883.
2. The health care provider determines the youth is a Mature Minor capable of understanding the consequences of a medical procedure.

The provider should evaluate the minor’s age, intelligence, maturity, training, experience, economic independence, general conduct as an adult and freedom from the control of parents. Smith v. Seibly, 72 Wn.2d 16, 21, 431 P.2d 719 (1967).  

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

If you are a homeless child or youth as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act, you can get nonemergency, outpatient, primary care services with the consent of a school homeless youth liaison, school nurse, or school counselor RCW 7.70.065(2)(b). These services include physical exams, vision exams and eyeglasses, dental exams, hearing exams and hearing aids, immunizations, treatments for illnesses and conditions, and routine follow-up care customarily provided by a health care provider in an outpatient setting. (Elective surgeries are not included.)  

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

No, consent from an authorized adult is required unless at least one of these is true:

1. Effective June 9, 2022, the youth is experiencing homelessness and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian SSB 5883.
2. The health care provider determines the youth is a Mature Minor. See above section.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

McKinney-Vento liaisons, school nurses, and school counselors can consent for immunizations under RCW 7.70.065(b)(i).

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

No, consent from an authorized adult is generally required unless you are 14 or older, or a Mature Minor (See above). However, your county’s health program may test without consent from an adult.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

If you are age 14 or older, you can get tests and/or treatment for sexually transmitted infections without an authorized adult’s consent RCW 70.24.110.

Also, Public Health—Seattle & King County will provide STI testing and treatment without authorized adult consent. To find out if your county offers STI testing without parental permission, contact your county’s public health program.  

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

Yes, you can get these services without consent of an authorized adult.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

You can get or refuse birth control services at any age without an authorized adult’s consent RCW 9.02.100(1). Depending on your provider, this might include puberty blockers and/or hormone treatment.

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

Yes, you can get these services without consent of an authorized adult.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

You can get an abortion and abortion related services at any age without the consent of an authorized adult or the person responsible for the pregnancy RCW 9.02.100(2); State v. Koome, 84 Wn.2d 901 (1975).

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

Yes, you can get these services without consent of an authorized adult.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

You can get prenatal care at any age without an authorized adult’s consent State v. Koome, 84 Wn.2d 901 (1975).

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

It depends. See note.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

It depends. See note.

Notes and sources:

Depending on your provider, you might be able to get puberty blockers and/or hormone treatment at any age without an adult’s consent as part of birth control services.

Also depending on your provider, you might be able to get consultations related to gender identity if you are age 13 orolder without an authorized adult’s consent, as part of outpatient mental health treatment. The authorized adult will only be notified if you consent RCW 71.34.530.

Finally, you can talk with your provider about whether they believe you are sufficiently mature to make your own health care decisions, under the Mature Minor doctrine.

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

No, consent from an authorized adult is required unless you are 13 or older, or a Mature Minor. See definition above.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

Only if you consent

Notes and sources:

You can get outpatient mental health treatment if you are age 13 orolder without an authorized adult’s consent. The authorized adult will only be notified if you consent RCW 71.34.530.

Depending on your provider, this could include consultations related to gender identity.

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

No, consent from an authorized adult is required unless you are 13 or older, or a Mature Minor. See definition above.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

It depends.

Notes and sources:

Consent: If you are age 13 or older, you can get inpatient mental health treatment only, and not substance abuse treatment, without consent from an authorized adult RCW 71.34.500.

Notice: The authorized adult does not have to be notified if the adult can’t be found or it would be harmful to you to notify the adult, but the provider must check to see if you are listed as missing. If so, the provider must contact the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) RCW 71.34.510.

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

Yes, you can get these services without consent of an authorized adult.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

If you are age 13 or older, you can ask for and get outpatient substance abuse treatment without an authorized adult’s consent RCW 71.34.530.

Can a minor consent to their own care?: 

Yes, you can get these services without consent of an authorized adult.

Are they required to notify an adult?: 

No

Notes and sources:

If you are age 13 or older you can admit yourself for inpatient substance use treatment without consent from an authorized adult RCW 71.34.500.