Every aspect of gestational surrogacy can be initially complicated — but perhaps none more so than the legal issues in surrogacy. For many, surrogacy is a brand-new concept, and trying to understand surrogacy laws in Pennsylvania can be enough to turn intended parents and prospective surrogates off this path altogether.
Fortunately, the surrogacy professionals at Central PA Surrogacy are here to help. With our decades of expertise in Pennsylvania surrogacy laws, there is no better professional to guide you through this journey.
When you first contact our surrogacy program, a team member will be happy to answer whatever questions you have about surrogacy laws in PA. Then, only when you’re ready, we’ll walk you through every step ahead — legal and practical.
In the meantime, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions we get about surrogacy laws in PA below. Please remember this information is not intended to be nor should be used as legal advice.
1. Is Surrogacy Legal in Pennsylvania?
In the United States, surrogacy is regulated state-by-state. Fortunately, surrogacy is legal in Pennsylvania and easily accessible — and it’s a rapidly growing way for intended parents to add to their families.
Currently, there are no published surrogacy laws in PA, but there is appellate case law that makes this a very surrogacy-friendly state for intended parents and gestational carriers. Our program follows the established expectations and procedures to ensure your surrogacy journey proceeds safely.
Central PA Surrogacy has a special relationship with local law firm Bierly & Rabuck, which has helped many intended parents and surrogates in the past years. Our team works closely with these lawyers to ensure all surrogacy laws in Pennsylvania are met, no matter the circumstances. It’s our job to keep you safe, and we take that responsibility seriously.
We encourage you to contact our program to learn more about our adherence to necessary surrogacy laws in PA.
2. What are the Pennsylvania Surrogacy Laws to Know?
Like every other state, Pennsylvania has set certain requirements and protocols that every surrogacy professional must follow. These requirements serve to protect the rights and interests of intended parents and gestational carriers through each step of the process.
If you choose to pursue surrogacy in Pennsylvania with our program, our team will make sure your journey follows all necessary surrogacy laws and steps, including:
- Meeting surrogacy requirements: Intended parents and gestational carrier must meet certain requirements to even begin the process. A surrogate must have already carried a pregnancy successfully to term and be raising a child of her own, while intended parents must undergo psychological screening to prepare for the upcoming process. These requirements aren’t laid out in PA surrogate laws, but they are recommended by surrogacy professionals across the country, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
- Creating a surrogacy contract: Every surrogacy agreement must include a legal contract. This document not only protects the rights of all parties, but it also lays out expectations, risks, and other sensitive information moving forward. No matter your relationship with your surrogacy partner, you must have a legal contract.
- Establishing parental rights: Pennsylvania surrogacy laws typically establish intended parents’ rights through a pre-birth parent order. Your surrogacy attorney will begin this legal process during the second trimester of pregnancy and complete all necessary steps. This is usually a simple legal process, but it must be completed for intended parents to take a baby home from the hospital.
When you work with Central PA Surrogacy, our team will explain every legality to you. You will be informed of and prepared for these processes before you even begin.
3. Is Paid Surrogacy Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, compensated surrogacy is legal in Pennsylvania. There are no state laws regulating how much a gestational carrier can receive for her services, which is why having a surrogacy professional by your side from the start is so important.
Compensation is addressed early in the surrogacy process. Here at Central PA Surrogacy, our professionals explain the ins and outs of compensation to intended parents and surrogates before they sign on with our full-service program. The details of compensation — how much is paid and how often it is paid out — are addressed in the legal contract. An experienced attorney ensures all parties are comfortable with the agreement and that a surrogate receives adequate payment for her services.
Like all other surrogacy legal issues in Pennsylvania, surrogate compensation is handled professionally by our experienced surrogacy team. When you work with our program, you need never worry about the legalities of your journey. Stick with us, and you can rest assured your Pennsylvania surrogacy journey will proceed legally and smoothly.
Learn more today by contacting our professionals online or by calling 814-237-7900.
