how do i turn off activation lock on my phone?

You need the Apple ID and password originally used when setting up the phone.

See if you can recover the ID/password.

Apple ID - How to find your Apple    An iCloud e-mail address is an Apple ID.

Apple ID - Find              

Enter the Apple (iCloud) ID and click Forgot Password.

Apple ID - Manage            

Apple ID – Forgot Password            

If this is a used device, you need to contact the previous owner to have them log out of iCloud or go to https://www.icloud.com/find/ My Phone and erase the device, then remove it from their account. If you can’t do that, the device is useless. Apple won't unlock it.

Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support.     

If you are the original owner, contact Apple. Apple can remove the Activation Lock if provided the required paperwork. Either take the device, the original purchase receipt with the serial number, and a photo ID to the nearest Apple Store (if it has reopened)

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple.    

or contact Apple ID Support. 

 Apple ID - Official Apple Support.    

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support.  (Link doesn’t always load)   

Get Support      Work through the screens to get a chat option. 

Apple Support schedule phone call

https://twitter.com/AppleSupport       People have posted it may take an hour or more to get a response.