Phone: 303-418-8660
1421 South Potomac St, Suite 250, Aurora, CO
Minor Health Care in Aurora, CO
Minors
The Colorado "Parental Notification Act" was passed by the Colorado Legislature in 2003. This law requires physicians or healthcare providers to notify a parent or guardian of the minor's scheduled abortion procedure. This notification must occur 48 hours prior to the scheduled abortion procedure.
The parent or guardian does not need to "consent" (approve) of the abortion procedure, but the law mandates a health care provider must notify the parent or guardian by written notice 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. The 48 hours begins at noon the day after the notification has been sent.
There are 4 ways a minor can have an abortion procedure.
1. Bring the parent or guardian to the appointment.
The parent/legal guardian will need to be present to sign a notarized statement confirming their relationship to the patient. A photo ID of both parties is required. A birth certificate or court documents assigning legal guardianship are required. If all parties are present with required documentation, all procedures can be performed the same day.
2. Proceed with parental or guardian notification as described by law.
The minor will need to come into the office with a copy of her birth certificate, picture ID and a copy of mail addressed to the minor's parent. The appointment can be scheduled 3 days following the day the notification is mailed.
3. Judicial Bypass.
If you are a minor seeking an abortion and you are sure that you cannot tell your parent or guardian about your pregnancy, you can petition for an order from a judge to allow you to have an abortion without notifying anyone. To find out more about the judicial bypass process, you can call the toll-free Judicial bypass hotline
(866) 277-2771. Once the decision to terminate the pregnancy is made, an appointment should be scheduled with our office. It is from this appointment date and time that expedites the processing of the judicial bypass.
4. Emancipation.
This process must be done through the courts. The minor is required to display their independence. The minor needs to be at least 15 years old, does not live with the parent, guardian or foster parent and financially supports themself. This is done through the court system.
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