Resources for teens considering emancipation

Legal resources

• Emancipation Manual from Legal Services for Children

  Learn more about the law and how to get a court order for emancipation.

• Find your court

  FLook-up a court 

• Find a Self-Help Center

  Get legal information and help with your forms.

• Find a lawyer

  Find a lawyer who can give you advice or represent you in court.

Get support and help to plan for safety

• National Runaway Safeline

  Call 1-800-RUNAWAY or visit the website to chat or email, 24/7

• National Domestic Violence Hotline

  Get support, find local resources, and safety tips at 1-800-799-7233. 

  TDD: 1-800-787-3224.

• National Sexual Assault Hotline

  Get confidential support at 1-800-656-4673

  Chat 24/7 online or by phone

• 211

  Call 211 from your phone or visit online to get referrals for food, housing, health care, counseling, and more, 24/7

Legal options for minors living away from parents

• Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit

  If you are temporarily living with an adult caregiver, they can sign this form, without going to court, to help you enroll in school and get medical care.

• Legal guardianship

  The court can grant custody of a child to an adult who is not the child’s parent through a legal guardianship case.

• Special Immigrant Youth Status

  Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a way for immigrant youth (under 21 years old) who have been separated from or harmed to get legal status in the United States.