If you’re a mom interested in becoming a surrogate, you may be wondering if the state you live in is considered surrogacy-friendly. Because there is no uniform federal law governing compensated surrogacy in the United States, individual states control what is allowed or prohibited within each state.
Is My State Good for Surrogacy?
The state where the gestational carrier (surrogate) resides and delivers the baby is what determines the legal framework for the parentage. Intended parents can live anywhere, even internationally, but the surrogacy laws of the surrogate’s home state will apply to the arrangement.
Surrogacy-friendly states are those that protect the rights of both intended parents and surrogates. Some states have clear surrogacy laws (statutes) that outline what’s allowed and how to obtain parentage orders. Others rely on case law, meaning previous court decisions have set a consistent pattern of approval for surrogacy agreements.
In a few states, there may be no official laws or major court rulings, and parties rely on the customary practices of local judges who have generally permitted surrogacy arrangements. Only a small number of states outlaw surrogacy altogether. This variation is why it’s so important to work with a surrogacy program like Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG) which understands the details of state-specific surrogacy rules and is led by an experienced surrogacy attorney.
What Makes a State Surrogacy-Friendly?
The best states for surrogacy are those that offer:
- Clear legal guidelines for compensated surrogacy.
- Judicial systems supportive of pre-birth or post-birth parentage orders.
- Experienced medical and legal professionals familiar with surrogacy practices.
- Consistent, ethical regulations that protect everyone involved.
These factors help ensure that surrogacy journeys remain predictable and secure for intended parents, surrogate mothers, and the resulting children.
Why Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG) Works in Certain States for Surrogacy
At the Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG), a leading surrogacy agency based on the East Coast, we carefully select surrogacy-friendly states where the law is clear and professionals are experienced. Over the years, we’ve developed strong partnerships with attorneys, OB/GYN practices, hospitals, and social workers who share our commitment to safe and supportive surrogacy. Some of the states we most often recommend for surrogacy include Ohio, Pennsylvania, almost all of New England, as well as New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and even Texas. Each of these states provides a consistent legal environment for surrogacy arrangements.
Ready to Become a Surrogate with Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG)?
If you’re wondering whether your state is good for surrogacy, we invite you to explore your surrogacy eligibility and start your surrogate application today. Qualified first-time surrogates can earn a base compensation of $75,000 with our surrogacy agency while helping others experience the joy of parenthood. Many extras are offered on top of the base fee, boosting your overall surrogate compensation.
