How International Gestational Surrogacy Works for Those Traveling to the U.S.
Though surrogacy law can vary from one state to another in the U.S., there are countries where gestational surrogacy, or even surrogacy generally, is entirely prohibited. When surrogacy isn’t allowed, it can leave those couples and individuals who are relying on this form of third-party reproduction to build their families in the lurch. In order to have a child in the manner they desire, international couples will need to travel to countries that are surrogacy friendly, often the United States.
International intended parents will need to work with a gestational surrogate who resides in a state where surrogacy laws do not prohibit an agreement from taking place. Surrogacy friendly states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Countries where surrogacy is not currently allowed or faces restrictions include France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Russia, England (all of the United Kingdom), and Denmark.
Traveling for surrogacy
International intended parents are encouraged to choose a third-party reproductive agency that has experience working with couples and individuals traveling for surrogacy. The surrogacy process is complex for those who already reside in the U.S., and a travel schedule and possible language barrier will increase this complexity. Fortunately, there are advantages to choosing a U.S.-based agency like Fertility Source Companies.
- Regulated medical care provided
- Very strict egg donation and gestational surrogacy screening
- High IVF success rates
- Favorable / friendly fertility laws (can depend on the individual state)
- Multiple cross-country locations for intended parents to choose to travel to (fertility friendly states from coast to coast)
Your case manager
A core benefit to choosing an agency like Fertility Source Companies is working with an assigned Case Manager. Our Case Managers have worked with countless international growing families and can assist with everything from travel arrangements to coordination / selection of a fertility clinic, discussion / review of fees, medical procedures, legal issues, and more. Many intended parents express considerable relief at being able to rely on a Case Manager who is specifically assigned to their third-party reproduction journey.
If you have questions about international surrogacy, working with an agency, or a Case Manager, please contact Fertility Source Companies today.
