In Washington State:
You have the fundamental right to have an abortion for any reason before viability of the fetus – meaning it can live outside your body – or if it is necessary to protect your life or health.
If you have a medical emergency that may require abortion as a treatment, you have the right to receive a life-saving abortion at any hospital where you choose to get care.
You can come from anywhere outside of Washington to get abortion services. You do not need to be a legal resident of Washington or a citizen of the United States.
Washington state law enforcement and courts are not allowed to help other states with investigations or legal actions (criminal charges or being sued) if you get abortion care in Washington.
There are important steps you need to take to ensure your abortion information stays private. To learn more, go to our Your Privacy page.
While Washington law ensures websites, apps and social media platforms cannot collect or share your personal health data without your consent, it is still important to protect your digital privacy. This can help prevent others from getting information about your abortion.
All health insurance plans from Washington state that cover pregnancy or maternity services are legally required to also cover abortion services.* In general, health plans from Washington may not charge you a co-pay for abortion care.
Washington Medicaid (Apple Health) covers abortion care, after-abortion care, and after-abortion birth control.
If you are having problems paying for abortion care, you can get help from a clinic or the Northwest Abortion Access Fund.
*Providence Health insurance does not cover abortion services unless your life or the life of the fetus is in danger. If you are a Providence Health client, the Department of Health can cover your abortion services. Email reproductivechoice@doh.wa.gov for more information.
Washington law says that nobody is allowed to stop you from going to a place where you can get medical care, including abortion care. For example, if you see protesters outside a clinic, it is illegal for them to physically block you from entering.
If you are early in your pregnancy, you can meet a medical provider by phone or computer (a telehealth appointment) and have abortion pills mailed to an address within Washington state.
Providers that can offer abortion care in Washington include:
Anti-abortion facilities, sometimes called Crisis Pregnancy Centers or Pregnancy Resource Centers, may have licensed medical providers on staff but they do not provide abortions, abortion referrals or other sexual and reproductive health services.
To avoid anti-abortion facilities and find a trusted abortion provider in Washington, you can visit AbortionFinder.org or contact your health care provider for a referral.
For advice about your rights and legal questions visit or call the Repro Legal Helpline 844-868-2812.
Legal references for Washington state laws can be found on the Know Your Rights flyer from the Attorney General’s Office.
For information about other sexual and reproductive health laws in Washington, visit the Washington State Perinatal Collaborative.
Disclaimer: This website is for information only. It does not provide legal and medical advice or create an attorney-client relationship.