Immigrants and Undocumented People
You do not need to be a citizen of the United States nor a legal resident of Washington to get abortion services in Washington. Health care providers can’t deny you care based on immigration status, and you do not have to share your status to get an abortion.
In general, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers can’t make arrests or take other actions at health care facilities.
Washington state Medicaid (Apple Health) covers abortion costs for people who live in Washington, regardless of immigration status. Getting Medicaid in any state won’t hurt your chances of becoming a permanent resident. Visit our How to Pay page for more information on how to sign up for Apple Health.
More information about abortion rights for immigrants can be found in this resource from the National Immigration Law Center.
Out-Of-State Patients
You do not need to live in Washington state to get abortion services here.
If you get an abortion in Washington, you may need to stay for a few days to finish your abortion care. The Northwest Abortion Access Fund can help you find and pay for transportation and somewhere to stay.
There are several ways to cover the costs of your abortion services, even if you travel here from out-of-state. If your insurance is not based in Washington, check to see if they will cover services you receive here. If they don’t, you can receive financial support from the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, National Network of Abortion Funds, or the clinic where you get your abortion.
It is important to protect your digital privacy especially if you are coming to Washington from a state with an abortion ban.
Washington law enforcement and courts are not allowed to help other states with investigations or other legal actions (criminal charges or being sued) if you get abortion care in Washington.
Make sure you understand your legal risks if you are from another state and seek abortion care in Washington. The Repro Legal Helpline (844-868-2812) provides free confidential legal services and can help you understand your legal risks.
Non-English Languages
All abortion providers in Washington have interpreter and translation support for almost all languages. Telling your provider or clinic staff the language you prefer is the best way to get language support.
AbortionFinder lets you filter your search by language and interpretation services but may not be accurate. If you are able, ask the clinic directly.
The National Abortion Fund hotline (800-772-9100) is available in multiple languages. They can help you with information, consultation, and referrals to providers.
South Asians for Abortion provides a guide in 20 South Asian languages that has reliable medical information on the process of getting an abortion.
Repro Legal Helpline offers information in Spanish and Simplified Chinese.
Other Spanish resources:
The Northwest Abortion Access Fund can support you in finding and paying for abortion services in Spanish.
The Miscarriage & Abortion Hotline (833-246-2632) is available in Spanish and can answer questions if you are having a miscarriage or are managing your abortion at home.
Rural Communities
In some areas of Washington, there may not be a local health care facility that offers abortion services.
Your local health care provider can help you find the nearest abortion care facility, or you can visit our Find a Provider page to find where you can get abortion care in other parts of Washington.
Telehealth abortion providers can offer medication abortion services and mail pills to you in Washington if you are early in your pregnancy. AbortionFinder lists all telehealth abortion providers serving Washington.
The Northwest Abortion Access Fund offers help paying for transportation, a place to stay, meals, and childcare if you need to travel for abortion care.
Citizens of Tribal Nations
Most Indian Health Services (IHS), Urban Indian Health (UIH), or Tribal health care facilities do not offer abortion care except in cases of rape, incest, or if your life is at risk.
Your local IHS, UIH, or Tribal clinic can still help you find a way to get an abortion in-person or online. Ask your provider or clinic staff how they can help. Even if they do not provide abortion, they may offer pregnancy options counseling, miscarriage management, and can refer you to abortion care if you choose.
Abortions are not paid for under Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) – the program that covers medical care you receive outside of an IHS or Tribal health care facility.
Indigenous Women Rising can help pay for abortion services for all Native and Indigenous people in the United States and Canada.
Visit our How to Pay page for more information on other ways to get abortion care covered.
Domestic Violence or Abuse
You don’t need anyone’s permission to choose or refuse an abortion.
You can talk with an advocate anytime (you don’t have to be in crisis) to learn about your options for support including legal services, emergency shelter (somewhere to stay), and more. Call, chat, or text the National Domestic Violence Hotline or reach out to your local domestic violence program for support.
If you do not want your medical information to be seen by a spouse or partner, visit our Your Privacy page for instructions on how to keep your abortion care confidential. The most private way to pay for an abortion is to use your own money or ask the abortion care facility if there are funds available to help cover the costs. Be sure to let people at the facility know that you are trying to keep your information private.
If you choose to end your pregnancy using medication abortion, other people won't be able to tell if your pregnancy ended from taking medication to cause an abortion or if it ended on its own in a miscarriage. You do not have to tell anyone, including medical providers, that you took medication abortion pills or are trying to have an abortion.
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ people can get pregnant, including cisgender women (such as lesbians), transgender men, Two-Spirit, intersex, and gender non-conforming people.
All LGBTQ+ people have the right to sexual and reproductive health services including abortion.
Learn ways to advocate for yourself in health care settings in this resource from Spectrum.
AbortionFinder labels LGBTQ+-friendly abortion clinics on their site.
Military and Veterans
Military staff can find it challenging to have absences excused and to maintain privacy. Always make sure your abortion care provider is aware of your privacy needs; they may be able to help.
TRICARE (military health insurance) has little coverage for abortions and must report when an abortion is the result of rape or incest.
TRICARE is not accepted at many abortion care clinics and facilities. Visit our How to Pay page for other ways to pay for abortion care.
The VA can offer all-options pregnancy counseling and can provide an abortion when the life or health of the pregnant veteran is at risk. The best way to determine if you qualify for an abortion at the VA is to:
- Find out if you are eligible for enrollment
- Contact a primary care provider to discuss your abortion options
You do not need a referral from your primary care manager (PCM) to an abortion care facility, you can make an appointment yourself by searching AbortionFinder. Ask the abortion care provider or staff for help with how to pay, privacy, or other support.
People With Disabilities
If you are pregnant and have a disability, it is important to discuss all of your pregnancy options with a trusted provider. Some people with disabilities may have a higher risk for pregnancy-related health complications or may rely on medications that should not be taken during pregnancy.
AbortionFinder labels ADA compliant or accessible abortion clinics on their site. Learn more about abortion care for people with disabilities.
People Under 18
People of any age can choose or refuse to have an abortion in Washington. You do not need permission or consent from a parent, guardian, or partner. You do not need to live in Washington, but you may need to stay in the state for a couple of days to finish your abortion care.
Be aware that if you use your health insurance, the person who holds the insurance account (like a parent) may be sent information about your abortion. Our Your Privacy page explains how to request that your information stay private if you want to use your health insurance to pay for abortion care.
The most private way to pay for an abortion is to use your own money or ask the abortion care facility if there are funds available to help cover the costs. Be sure to let people at the facility know that you are trying to keep your information private.
AbortionFinder labels teen-serving abortion clinics on their site, though all abortion care facilities in Washington can see teens without consent from a parent or guardian. Visit this guide from I Need an A to learn more about how to navigate the abortion care system as a teen.
Learn ways to protect your digital privacy while searching for abortion care.
Students
Washington public school students may leave school property for medical appointments but if you are under 18 and a parent or guardian does not excuse you, you will be reported as absent or truant. You never need to tell your school any personal medical information.
If you are a student at a Washington public university or college, your on-campus health center may provide medication abortion services and can refer you to a trusted provider for other abortion care.
Anti-abortion facilities may be near your campus. Learn ways to avoid these clinics and get the care you need.