One of the first countries to start applying modern technologies for infertility treatment is the United States. Surrogacy in America has been utilized since 1980, although its legality varies from state to state. Let’s examine the features of surrogacy in the USA, as well as the most popular states for its legal practice.
Cost of Surrogacy in the USA
Unlike many European countries, the surrogacy cost in the US is significantly higher. At the same time, clients are guaranteed a high level of medical care, safety and comfortable conditions during the pregnancy and participation in the program. The price may vary depending on the chosen medical center and includes the following:
- Medical examination of potential parents and surrogates.
- Conducting in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) – examination of the embryo to detect chromosomal abnormalities.
- Embryo transfer to the surrogate.
- Pregnancy monitoring and all necessary examinations.
- Delivery (childbirth).
- Coverage of surrogates’ expenses throughout the entire period of carrying the child, such as food, accommodation, transportation costs.
- Compensation for the surrogates.
- Arranging an insurance policy.
Most packages also include the services of a lawyer who prepares a contract regulating the relationship between the biological parents and the surrogate mother, as well as simplifying the process of arranging documents for the newborn.
A surrogate mother may be paid additional payments for the birth of twins. The average cost of reproductive health clinics in the US is $110,000 or more.
Which states are considered surrogacy-friendly?
Surrogacy is not legally permitted in all states. Furthermore, each region has its own specificities in legislation. For example, the legality of surrogacy may depend on:
- marital status of the intended parents;
- marital status of a potential candidate to be a surrogate mother;
- sexual orientation both of the surrogate mother and the biological parents.
| regulated_by_law | yes |
| for_gays | allowed |
| for_the_lonely | allowed |
The most flexible surrogacy law in the state of California, where the rights of both parties involved in the program are taken into account as much as possible. You can also use the services of clinics in Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon without any problems. Since 2019, surrogacy has been recognized as legal in Washington.
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How does surrogacy work in the USA?
Surrogacy is one of the methods to overcome infertility in women or both partners. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and related procedures allow for selecting the gender of the future child and conducting genetic testing of the embryo for chromosomal abnormalities.
The process of participating in the program includes:
Signing a contract with the clinic
Surrogate selection
The woman can be a citizen of America or the country of the biological parents’ origin. The surrogate’s age should be between 20 and 45 years.
Comprehensive diagnostics of all program participants
Conducting the IVF procedure
Embryo transfer to the surrogate mother
Pregnancy and childbirth
The woman is under constant medical observation.
Arranging the necessary documents,
including an American passport for the child.
According to US law, a surrogate mother does not have any rights to a child she has been carrying for 9 months. All rights to the newborn are granted to the biological parents. If biological material from a donor was used during fertilization, then this must be specified in the contract.
Benefits of the US Surrogacy Program
American clinics and surrogacy agencies provide top-notch service and comfortable conditions. The quality of medical care in the USA allows for a highly successful artificial insemination procedure and monitoring of the fetus’s development.
The legal situation regarding surrogacy in the USA allows the newborn to obtain the status of a US citizen. Thanks to constant legal support, the rights of all participants are protected.