Minor abortion rights. Texas to New Mexico.

Texas to New Mexico: What Minors Need to Know About Abortion

If you are under 18 and pregnant in Texas, you are navigating one of the hardest situations a young person can face — and you are doing it inside one of the most restrictive states in the country. You deserve clear, accurate information. Not opinions. Not scare tactics. Just facts about what your rights are, what the law says, and what your options look like right now.

This guide explains what minors in Texas and New Mexico can and cannot do when it comes to abortion, and how your privacy is protected when you come to Women’s Reproductive Clinic of New Mexico for care.

Minor Abortion Rights: What Texas Law Says

Abortion is banned in Texas. That applies to minors, too. Texas requires parental consent and parental notification before any abortion can take place. A physician must notify a parent or legal guardian before performing an abortion on a minor. There are no exceptions for age or circumstances other than a medical emergency.

If you cannot obtain parental consent, Texas offers a legal path called a judicial bypass. This allows a minor to go before a judge and ask for permission to have an abortion without involving a parent. The process can be slow and emotionally exhausting, and there is no guarantee the judge will say yes.

If you are legally emancipated — meaning a court has recognized you as an independent adult — you can consent for yourself. But for most minors in Texas, the law requires a parent or a judge to be present.

Because abortion is completely banned in Texas regardless of parental consent, all of this is somewhat moot — even with permission, no legal abortion provider exists in the state.

Texas to New Mexico: What New Mexico Law Says

New Mexico is different. Very different.

In 2021, New Mexico repealed its parental consent requirement for minors seeking abortion. That repeal is still in effect. Today, people under 18 have the right to confidential reproductive healthcare, abortion care, contraception, and mental healthcare in New Mexico without parental notification or consent.

That means if you are a minor and you travel from Midland — or anywhere else in Texas — to receive care at Women’s Reproductive Clinic of New Mexico, you do not need a parent’s permission. You do not need to tell anyone. You can make this decision on your own.

As a result of Senate Bill 10, passed in 2021, individuals under 18 can now consent to their own abortion care confidentially without parental notification or permission. New Mexico does not require a waiting period, mandatory counseling scripts, or ultrasound viewings as conditions of care.

This is the law. Not a loophole. Not a gray area. A clear, protected right.

Minor Abortion Rights: Can Texas Prosecute You for Coming to New Mexico?

No. Traveling to another state to access legal healthcare is protected. You cannot be prosecuted in New Mexico for receiving care that is legal here. New Mexico’s shield laws — passed in 2023 — protect patients, providers, and anyone who helps someone access abortion care from out-of-state investigations and legal actions.

In plain terms: what happens in New Mexico stays in New Mexico. The state will not cooperate with Texas investigations into patients who received legal care here.

For a deeper look at how travel for abortion works and what protections exist, read our guide on abortion travel and going out of state for the abortion pill.

Minor Abortion Rights: How Your Privacy Is Protected at Our Clinic

When you come to the Women’s Reproductive Clinic of New Mexico, your information is private. Here is what that looks like in practice.

We do not contact your parents. We do not notify anyone that you came in. We do not share your medical information with outside parties. Your visit, your records, and your care stay between you and our staff.

If you are concerned about phone records, consider calling us from a private number or a friend’s phone. If you are worried about digital footprints, use a private browser when researching. These are not paranoid steps — they are practical ones for anyone navigating a sensitive situation.

If you ever need to go to the ER after taking the abortion pill, you can tell them you think you are having a miscarriage. No test can prove which one occurred. You are protected.

Minor Abortion Rights: What the Abortion Pill Process Looks Like for Minors

The process at our clinic is the same regardless of age. We offer the abortion pill up to 11 weeks of pregnancy. Here is what to expect.

You come in for your appointment. We do an ultrasound to confirm how far along you are and that the pregnancy is in the uterus. We walk you through the entire process in a counseling session before anything happens. You take the first medication at our clinic. You take the second medication at home, about 24 hours later. Most visits take 1–2 hours. Read our full “What to Expect” page before your appointment so you feel prepared.

The total cost is $690, all-inclusive. This covers your ultrasound, counseling session, all medications, and unlimited free follow-up appointments. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Money Orders—no insurance billing.

If you are in Midland and need an ultrasound before traveling, get one near you first. Because Midland is more than 2 hours from our clinic, we recommend confirming gestational age locally before making the trip. A Planned Parenthood or OB-GYN in Midland can do this quickly.

Texas to New Mexico: Normal vs. Concerning After the Abortion Pill

Knowing what to expect at home reduces fear. Here is a clear breakdown.

Normal symptoms:

• Heavy bleeding, heavier than a regular period
• Strong cramping in the first several hours
• Passing blood clots
• Nausea, chills, or a low-grade fever within 24 hours
• Fatigue

Concerning — seek care if you have:

• Soaking two or more full pads per hour for two hours in a row
• Fever over 100.4°F lasting more than 24 hours after misoprostol
• Severe pain that ibuprofen does not help
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Feeling faint or unable to stand

For a full breakdown of what is normal versus what needs attention, read our guide on normal bleeding vs. not after abortion pills.

Minor Abortion Rights: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my parents’ permission to get an abortion in New Mexico if I am under 18? No. New Mexico law does not require parental consent or notification for minors seeking abortion.

Can my parents find out I came to your clinic? Not through us. We do not contact parents or share your information. Your visit is private.

Can Texas get me in trouble for traveling to New Mexico for an abortion? No. Traveling out of state for legal healthcare is protected. New Mexico’s shield laws prevent the state from cooperating with Texas investigations into patients who received legal care here.

What if I cannot afford the $690? We do not work directly with funding organizations, but if you find a group that covers the cost and brings the total in hand, we accept that. Search “abortion funds Texas minors” to find organizations that help young people cover costs.

Do I need a sonogram before I come in from Midland? If you’re early, meaning 4-5 weeks. It’s not required, but it avoids the chance of being sent home empty-handed.

What if I go to the ER after the abortion pill? Tell them you think you are having a miscarriage. The treatment is identical, and no test can prove otherwise. You are protected.

What is the age limit to receive care at your clinic? We serve all pregnant patients within 11 weeks of their last menstrual period. There is no minimum age requirement. New Mexico law allows minors as young as 13 to consent to their own abortion care.

Minor Abortion Rights: You Have Rights. We Are Here to Honor Them.

Being young does not mean you have fewer rights — at least not in New Mexico. You can make this decision. You can access care privately. You can come in, get what you need, and go home the same day.

Women’s Reproductive Clinic of New Mexico is less than 10 minutes from El Paso and sees patients from Midland and across West Texas every week. We will not rush you, judge you, or contact anyone on your behalf without your permission.

Contact us to schedule your appointment.

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