Minor Rights
Minors have rights, too.
Figuring out how to take care of your sexual health can bring up a lot of questions. One of the most important is: what can I do on my own?
In Oklahoma, you have your own rights when it comes to your sexual health, even if you’re under 18. Understanding your rights is a huge part of making safe, healthy, and smart decisions for yourself. We’ve broken down what you need to know about consent, confidentiality, and getting care below.
Contraceptive Services
Teens can access contraception and birth control without a parent if they are at least 18 years old. However, minors (teens under the age of 18) generally cannot self-consent to contraceptive services.
There are some situations in which minors can self-consent:
- A minor who is married
- A minor with a dependent child
- A minor who is emancipated
- A minor who is independent of their parents/guardians and supports themselves
- A minor who is or has been pregnant has or had a communicable disease or has or had a drug/alcohol abuse problem
Clinics may ask for documentation to support any of these qualifications (e.g., court order, pay stub, etc). Be sure to ask if you need to bring anything to your visit when you call to make an appointment.
Many teens CAN self-consent in these instances:
- Any minor at a Title X clinic
- A minor who is insured through SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid)
Not all clinics apply! Check out our Sexual Health Resource Guide to see which ones do, or ask about self-consent when you call to make an appointment.
Oklahoma Laws & Reporting
STI Testing and Treatment
All minors may self-consent.
Age of Consent
The legal age of consent in Oklahoma is 16.
A “close in age” exemption allows minors over the age of 14 to consent to sexual intercourse with a partner younger than 18.
Reporting
All Oklahomans must report if they have a reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect. Contact the Oklahoma Department of Human Services hotline at 1-800-522-3511 if you believe a child has been abused.
Get the care you need.
It’s totally normal to have questions after reading all this. The most important part is getting trusted answers and support. Connecting with a local, youth-friendly clinic is the best way to get quality care and guidance from a professional.