Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About...
How to Get Emergency Contraception
Will I need identification to buy emergency contraception?
In the United States, there are currently five different brands of emergency contraceptive pills that may be available: ella, Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets. There are different age regulations on how to purchase the different pills, so it can be a bit confusing. ella is available by prescription only, regardless of your age. Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets are available over-the-counter to women and men aged 17 and older (by prescription if you are younger). Because of the age restriction, proof of age will probably be required for over-the-counter purchase of emergency contraception. Any government-issued identification that includes proof of age should be accepted by the pharmacist. Examples of government-issued identification include but are not limited to:
- United States passport (unexpired or expired).
- Alien Registration Receipt Card or Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551.
- An unexpired foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp.
- An unexpired Employment Authorization Document issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service which contains a photograph, Form I-766; Form I-688, Form I-688A, or Form I-688B.
- In the case of a nonimmigrant alien authorized to work for a specific employer incident to status, an unexpired foreign passport with an Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94, bearing the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the alien's nonimmigrant status, so long as the period of endorsement has not yet expired and the proposed employment is not in conflict with any restrictions or limitations identified on the Form I-94.
- A driver's license or identification card containing a photograph, issued by a state or an outlying possession of the United States. If the driver's license or identification card does not contain a photograph, identifying information shall be included such as: name, date of birth, sex, height, color of eyes, and address.
- School identification card with a photograph.
- Voter registration card.
- U.S. military card or draft record.
- Identification card issued by Federal, State, or local government agencies or entities. If the identification card does not contain a photograph, identifying information shall be included such as: name, date of birth, sex, height, color of eyes, and address.
- Military dependent's identification card.
- Native American tribal documents.
- United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card.
- Driver's license issued by a Canadian government authority.
If someone denies you access to emergency contraception for any reason, please let us know.