When it comes to surrogacy in the United States, the surrogacy process in California is one of the most popular paths for intended parents and gestational carriers. Thanks to its well-established surrogacy laws and institutions, California is a booming state for those looking to complete their surrogacy dreams.
If you’re like many people, you’ve heard of the surrogacy process in California through the increasing numbers of celebrities in the Golden State who have used this family-building process. But, how does surrogacy work in California for an everyday average person?
You may be surprised to learn that the basic surrogacy process in California is the same for all intended parents and prospective surrogates, no matter their personal situation. While every surrogacy journey is different, there are a few things you can expect along the way.
American Surrogacy is here to help.
To learn more about what the California surrogacy process may look like for you, we encourage you to contact our surrogacy specialists today. In the meantime, keep reading to discover the seven basic steps of the surrogacy process in California.
The 7 Steps of the California Surrogacy Process
If you’re considering surrogacy in California, know this: Every surrogacy journey is different. How yours proceeds will depend upon your personal situation and your preferences for this journey.
Still, there are a few common steps that you will have to take to make your surrogacy dreams come true. Here’s what you will need to do:
Step 1: Decide that surrogacy is right for you.
The first step in the California surrogacy process is making sure that you are following the right path. Surrogacy can be a complicated process, and it’s not right for everyone. Before you invest a great deal of time and energy into this process, please prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
Surrogacy is often a process that takes a year or more to complete. It will also require a great deal of physical and emotional energy along the way. It’s not just a process you can change your mind on halfway through; when you start the surrogacy process in California, you are committed to the end goal, whatever it takes.
The best way to learn about the realities of the California surrogacy process is by speaking with an experienced professional. Our specialists at American Surrogacy are here to answer all of your questions about the California surrogacy process and give you the information you need to make the best choice for your family — whatever it may be.
Call us today at 1-800-875-BABY(2229) to start your research.
Step 2: Choose a surrogacy professional and create a surrogacy plan.
Once you have decided that surrogacy is right for you and your family, you will be ready to get started!
Do you wish to work with an agency or complete an independent surrogacy? For most intended parents and surrogates (especially first-timers), the benefits of a surrogacy agency are invaluable. An agency such as American Surrogacy will provide you your own surrogacy specialist, who will guide you through every complicated step of the California surrogacy process. They will always be there to answer your questions and support you, whatever your situation.
American Surrogacy also provides a few other services:
- Screening to ensure you are eligible for the California surrogacy process
- Matching you with a gestational carrier or intended parent
- Mediating contact with your surrogacy partner, if necessary
- Managing complicated financial matters, such as insurance and surrogate compensation
- Coordinating with other professionals
- And more
Contact our specialists today to start creating a plan for your surrogacy process in California.
Step 3: Complete your pre-surrogacy screening.
Before you can start your surrogacy process in California, you will need to make sure you are eligible and prepared for the challenges ahead. To do so, you must undergo certain medical and psychological screening.
Surrogacy is a difficult journey. These screenings will ensure you understand exactly what you are committing to and how it may impact you (and your family) moving forward. If your professionals think you are ready for the potential challenges, they will clear you for the California surrogacy process.
Step 4: Find an intended parent or gestational carrier.
Finding the perfect surrogacy partner can be difficult. That’s why American Surrogacy’s specialists are here to help.
When you create your surrogacy plan, you will get to decide what kind of intended parent or gestational carrier you wish to work with. Would you like them to be local, like you? Do you have preferences on their marital status and sexual orientation? Your specialist will ask you these questions and more to ensure you are matched with a partner you are comfortable with.
You will first view profiles of prospective surrogates and intended parents that meet your preferences. If you express mutual interest, you both will “meet” through a conference call mediated by your professional. Once you are 100% comfortable with a match, your specialist will connect you with a surrogacy attorney to finalize your partnership.
Note: If you are a gestational carrier in California, you will need to complete one more screening at your intended parents’ fertility clinic before you can create a surrogacy contract with them.
Step 5: Create a surrogacy contract.
In order for a California surrogacy process to proceed, the details must first be laid out step by step. A legal surrogacy contract outlines these details and ensures both parties are totally aware of what to expect as they move forward.
You will need a separate surrogacy attorney than your surrogacy partner. This will make sure that your rights and interests are properly represented in the drafting process. Don’t worry — your surrogacy specialist can connect you with local California professionals for this step.
Your surrogacy contract will address issues such as:
- Rights and responsibilities of each party
- Risks and liabilities
- Sensitive issues like selective reduction and termination
- Surrogate base compensation
- And more
Your attorney will ensure that your contract meets all the regulations laid out by California surrogacy laws to be enforceable.
Step 6: Complete the medical process of surrogacy.
After your contract is finalized, you will able to move forward with the medical process of surrogacy in California.
Typically, the pre-pregnancy steps of this process are completed at the intended parents’ fertility clinic. A gestational carrier will receive prescription fertility medication to prepare her body for embryo transfer, and she will travel to the intended parents’ clinic for the actual transfer procedure. The intended parents will pay for her travel costs.
After a pregnancy is confirmed, a California surrogate can receive prenatal care from her local obstetrician and deliver at a local facility. She will create a delivery plan with the intended parents, who will most likely be able to be present for their baby’s birth!
A surrogate’s medical costs will always be covered by her intended parents as part of her surrogacy compensation package.
Step 7: Finalize your California surrogacy process!
Once a gestational surrogate gives birth to the intended parents’ baby, there are only a few steps left in the California surrogacy process. They involve establishing the intended parents’ rights.
In the vast majority of California surrogacies, the intended parents are able to receive a pre-birth parentage order without a court hearing. Your surrogacy attorney will take care of this process to ensure that rights are legally and safely established in your situation.
After rights are established and the gestational surrogate is provided her last compensation payment, the surrogacy process in California is complete! But, that doesn’t mean the parties involved have to go their separate ways. In fact, many intended parents and gestational carriers remain fast friends in the months and years to come.
While this article gives a good explanation of the basic steps of the California surrogacy process, your process may look a little different based on your situation. For more personalized answers to the question, “How does surrogacy work in California?” please contact American Surrogacy for free today.