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Health care for minors

Northwest Justice Project

If you’re under age 18, and you need health care, sometimes you’ll need an “authorized adult” to consent to medical decisions and sometimes you won’t. Learn who the “authorized adult” is under state law, what a kinship caregiver is, any age limits on your ability to consent to health care on your own, and special protections for homeless youth.

1. Age of majority

18 years old is Washington state’s general age of majority for health care. You can get healthcare services in Washington without an authorized adult’s  permission once you’re 18.  

2. Under 18