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Is surrogacy legal in USA
How you pursue a surrogacy arrangement will depend on what kinds
of processes are allowable in your state.
Is Surrogacy legal in USA?
Surrogacy laws in USA differ from state to state. That said, if you are opting for surrogacy in USA, you must do all the required research and investigation in the same regard.
Well, if you cannot do the same due to a shortage of time and other reasons, you can always get along with the best surrogacy agency in USA like Surrogacy Consultancy. By doing that, you can simplify your surrogacy journey without worrying much about the laws and regulations regarding surrogacy in USA.
If you are an intended parent and live in a state where surrogacy is banned, know that you have options. A vast majority of intended parents who live in states where compensated surrogacy is illegal choose to work with surrogates from other surrogacy-friendly states. If you are a surrogate candidate, you may be able to do an uncompensated journey.
You can also refer to the below guide that differentiates between the states that support surrogacy in the USA with the states that don’t.
American states that support surrogacy in the USA
California: Pre-birth orders and surrogacy agreements have both been upheld by judges in countless cases.
Connecticut: Pre-birth orders are provided to all intended parents, regardless of their marital status, whether they are single or not, and regardless of whether they are related to the child biologically or not.
Delaware: Pre-birth plans and surrogacy agreements are expressly permitted in Delaware.
District of Colombia: Commercial surrogacy agreements now have legal protection thanks to a 2017 law. The definition of parenting under the law has changed as a result of ART operations.
Maine: As of 2016, pre-birth orders are permitted here, subject to certain restrictions.
New Hampshire: Pre-birth orders and surrogacy agreements will be fulfilled if the intended parents and the surrogate adhere to specified guidelines related to surrogacy for couples in the USA.
New Jersey: In New Jersey, obtaining a pre-birth order is simple for intended parents who use their own or donor eggs and sperm.
Nevada: The legislation expressly supports pre-birth directives and surrogacy contracts.
Washington: The state legislature in Washington views gestational surrogacy as a “friendly” practice. The state permits married or unmarried couples, same-sex or heterosexual, to obtain a pre-birth order even if neither of the intended parents has a biological connection to the kid.
States that are “Partially Friendly” to Surrogacy in USA
Alabama: Pre-birth orders are only available to married couples.
Alaska: Although there are no laws, the US courts have generally supported surrogacy treatment. In this state, pre-birth orders are not particularly encouraged.
Arkansas: A 2017 court ruling states that the statute is applicable to married heterosexual and same-sex couples who agree to surrogacy. In the USA, a marriage between same-sex partners is a requirement for same-sex surrogacy.
Colorado: Although there are no laws governing surrogacy here, the courts have generally been favorable.
Florida: following the birth of a surrogate child, only married couples are eligible for gestational surrogacy here.
Georgia: Surrogacy is not specifically regulated here, although the judiciary has generally been favorable.
Hawaii: Doesn’t permit pre-birth orders because there isn’t legislation that supports surrogacy
Illinois: Parents planning a pregnancy can get prenatal and postnatal orders as long as one parent is genetically related to the child.
Kansas: Although there is no law governing surrogacy treatment in the USA, the courts have generally been favorable. Case-specific prenatal orders are available.
Kentucky: Although there is no surrogacy legislation, the courts have generally been favorable. You have the right to ask for a prenatal order if you’re married.
Maryland: Intended parents may get pre- and post-birth orders, but because there is no surrogacy statute enforcing surrogacy contracts at this time, the court must decide whether to give parentage orders. In most circumstances, a pre-birth order can be issued without any legal issues.
Massachusetts: There are no surrogacy laws, but the intended parents may anticipate some court support.
Minnesota: There are no surrogacy laws, although the intended parents may anticipate some court support.
Missouri: Despite the state’s ban on pre-birth orders, Missouri’s post-birth order system functions successfully. Regardless of whether they are married or not, people can get a post-birth order even if neither of the intended parents has a genetic connection to the child (same-sex or heterosexual).
Mississippi: There are no surrogacy laws, but the intended parents may anticipate some court support. The court may provide pre-birth orders depending on the situation.
N. Carolina: In North Carolina, gestational surrogacy is neither permitted nor prohibited, therefore the processes and judicial decisions differ greatly from judge to judge and county to county. Pre-birth orders can be obtained by married intentional parents, but because of state law’s vagueness, unmarried couples may have issues.
North Dakota: Given that one of the intended parents is the child’s biological parent, they continue to serve as the child’s legal guardians.
North Mexico: There are no surrogacy laws, but the intended parents may anticipate some court help.
Ohio: Getting a pre-birth order for one’s unborn child is possible without going through the courts in Ohio. Regardless of whether they have a genetic connection to the child, individuals, married or unmarried couples (of the same sex or else), are all eligible to obtain pre-birth orders.
Oklahoma: Surrogacy is categorized as “Partially Friendly” in Oklahoma. Despite state statutes permitting married intended parents, straight or same-sex, to pursue gestational surrogacy, unmarried couples in Oklahoma are unable to get a pre-birth order with both of their names on it. Single intended parents are eligible to request a pre-birth order even if they are not genetically related to the child.
Oregon: The courts may provide pre-birth orders when at least one parent is genetically related to the child.
States with no or minimal surrogacy regulations in the USA
Rhode Island: There are no surrogacy laws, but the intended parents may anticipate some court help.
Pennsylvania: Despite the lack of definitive case law or legislative guidance, the Pennsylvania Superior Court has overruled lower court judgments that denied intended parents’ rights and surrogacy contracts. In the lack of legislation, parental orders are not always available throughout the state.
South Carolina: There are no surrogacy laws, but the intended parents may anticipate some court help.
South Dakota: There are no surrogacy laws, but the intended parents may anticipate some court help.
Texas: Only heterosexual couples who are legally wed are allowed to sign gestational surrogacy contracts in Texas.
Utah: In Utah, only heterosexual, lawfully wed couples are permitted to enter into gestational surrogacy contracts, and even then, only if a court review confirms the contract’s validity after the baby is born.
Wisconsin: Post-birth orders are always required to establish legal parentage after the birth, although pre-birth orders may have court approval.
North Carolina: Pre-birth orders may be used by heterosexual couples who are legally married.
States that put a complete ban on surrogacy in USA
Arizona: Surrogacy contracts are prohibited there, and the surrogate is treated as the child’s biological mother for legal purposes.
Indiana: Surrogacy is prohibited in Indiana, and surrogacy agreements are also forbidden there. As a result, Indiana is one of the few “unfriendly” states to surrogacy in the US. However, even if a surrogacy agreement is deemed unlawful, certain courts will still grant parental orders.
Louisiana: Here, surrogacy is only legal for married heterosexual couples who use their own eggs and sperm.
Michigan: Commercial surrogacy contracts are not allowed. Anyone involved in surrogacy-related conduct may face criminal penalties.
Wyoming: Surrogacy is uncontrolled and not sanctioned by the legal system.
Connect with one of our coordinators to know more about surrogacy laws in USA and related aspects.
