{"id":351983,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/surrogacy-artificial-conception\/checklist-surrogacy-contract.html"},"modified":"2023-08-11T14:10:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T19:10:57","slug":"checklist-surrogacy-contract","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/surrogacy-artificial-conception\/checklist-surrogacy-contract.html","title":{"rendered":"Checklist: Surrogacy Contract"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Checklist: Surrogacy Contract<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/eric-harvey-j-d\/\">Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aviana-cooper-esq\/\">Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            August 11, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <p>Surrogacy contracts or agreements are legal and need to meet legal standards to be considered valid.&nbsp; An experienced surrogacy attorney can help all parties draft an agreement that fits their situation.&nbsp; This surrogacy contract checklist can help you get organized before you meet with an attorney.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Below is a checklist of items to help you think about what&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/surrogacy-artificial-conception\/questionnaire-surrogacy-application.html\">terms you want to include in your surrogacy agreement<\/a>. Items in your contract should also reflect whether you are the surrogate or the couple using the services of a surrogate.<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p>It is important to note that the couple and the surrogate mother need&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/surrogacy-artificial-conception\/top-10-reasons-to-use-an-attorney-surrogacy-arrangement.html\">separate and independent counsel<\/a>. This will ensure that their best interests are protected, and it will also help avoid a potential conflict of interest.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Surrogacy Basics<\/h2>\r\n<p>You might be considering a surrogacy arrangement for many reasons, such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Genetic testing indicates that you and\/or your partner carry genetic conditions you do not want to pass on to a child<\/li>\r\n<li>Either you or your partner (or both) cannot have children due to an issue with fertility<\/li>\r\n<li>You or your partner have undergone fertility treatments that did not yield any positive results<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>You might not be struggling with infertility, and maybe you just want another person to carry a fetus to term. You could even use your own eggs. You can, of course, use donor eggs, as well.<\/p>\r\n<p>There are many ways to approach surrogacy. Perhaps the most common is in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination. It would then be necessary that you find a sperm donor.<\/p>\r\n<p>In a traditional surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate is technically a legal parent of the child until the intended parents obtain a court order that says otherwise. These arrangements can be complex and are not the most common approach anymore. Instead, the person we&#8217;d see as the \u201cbirth mother&quot; is actually a gestational carrier. Both the sperm and eggs for the process come from people other than the surrogate.<\/p>\r\n<p>Whatever the case may be, many legal issues can arise from whatever form of assisted reproduction you choose. In any surrogacy journey, it&#8217;s important to know about what legal issues you could encounter. Continue reading to learn terms that should be included in the surrogacy agreement.<\/p>\r\n<p>Below is a checklist to be used for drafting your surrogacy contract.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Date of the agreement<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Names of the parties, including both prospective parents and the surrogate. The prospective parents are also known as the \u201cintended parents.&quot; These are the names you will put on the child&#8217;s birth certificate. The surrogate is also known as \u201cthe gestational carrier,&quot; and the process of carrying a fetus for another person is known as \u201cgestational surrogacy&quot;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Statement that all parties are of the age required by their state<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>&nbsp;<\/td>\r\n<td>&nbsp;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement by the surrogate to submit to requested physical and psychological exams<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Details of the surrogate&#8217;s health insurance coverage, and&nbsp;their&nbsp;agreement to keep existing coverage in full force and effect; or alternatively, indicate how you all plan to cover medical costs<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement of the prospective parents&nbsp;(\u201clegal parents&quot;)&nbsp;and surrogate to the assisted reproductive technology procedures involved and&nbsp;the&nbsp;placement of fertilized embryo(s) in the uterus of the surrogate. This part of the agreement may also specify which fertility clinic the parties will use<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement as to the maximum number of attempts to achieve a pregnancy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that the surrogate will not engage in intercourse during the attempts to achieve a pregnancy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that the surrogate will not terminate the pregnancy unless their own life is at risk or unless otherwise agreed upon in writing (for instance, if the fetus has significant problems and may not be viable)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement by the surrogate to refrain from smoking, drinking, and using illicit drugs during the pregnancy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that the surrogate will obtain regular prenatal medical care, with\/without the prospective parent(s) in attendance<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that the surrogate will submit to any medical testing requested by the prospective parents or required by the medical professional<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement regarding the diet of the surrogate during the pregnancy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement regarding any restrictions on the activities of the surrogate during the pregnancy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that the prospective parents will\/will not be present for the birth of the child<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that the surrogate and their spouse, if any, will have no claim to physical or legal custody of the child born as a result of the surrogacy<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement by the surrogate to the termination of their parental rights upon the birth of the child<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that it is in the child&#8217;s best interests that they be raised by the prospective parents<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement that custody of the child will be relinquished to the father and mother as soon as possible after birth<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement regarding the financial terms of the arrangement (including reimbursement, payment for uninsured pregnancy-related medical expenses, provisions on how this will be covered if insurance doesn&#8217;t cover the surrogate, payment for psychological counseling, payment for maternity wear, payment for lodging and other living expenses if the surrogate relocates to be near the mother and father, payment of travel expenses, etc.)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Agreement as to compensation should the pregnancy not proceed to term<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Confidentiality agreement<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Any other requirements that the parties agree upon as to pre-birth and post-birth arrangements, as well as any other issues related to the child&#8217;s birth and other issues related to parentage<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Any disclaimers of liability in cases of emergent circumstances<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Governing law (choose a state)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Statement that the contract constitutes the entire agreement<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Severability clause<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td>____<\/td>\r\n<td>Signatures<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2>With So Much at Stake, Get Legal Help With Your Surrogacy Matters<\/h2>\r\n<p>For couples that struggle with infertility or other issues related to pregnancy, surrogacy offers the hope of parenthood. However, as with most arrangements in society, especially ones with such far-reaching implications, it&#8217;s important for everyone to understand their legal and contractual obligations before moving forward.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because so much can be at stake with a surrogacy contract, it&#8217;s imperative to speak with an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">family law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;before signing the dotted line. It&#8217;s important to get the legal help you need under these circumstances.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path 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1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    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class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    State laws vary in their treatment of surrogacies\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Surrogacy law is constantly changing and can be complex\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    An attorney can draft an enforceable surrogacy contract and negotiate contract terms\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored advice and ask a lawyer questions about your state laws. Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL24\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                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