Surrogacy in Virginia: How Does It Work?
The World Center of Baby aims to provide accessible information to intended parents on the surrogacy journey. Follow through the article to gain a deeper insight into surrogacy in Virginia, discovering options for intended parents.
Surrogacy in Virginia: Options for Intended Parents in the Old Dominion State
Surrogacy in Virginia is accessible to heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, and unmarried individuals under Virginia’s Assisted Conception statute (Va. Code Ann. § 20-156 et. seq.). According to the Code, forming surrogacy arrangements is a legal process, and it recognizes the child born to a surrogate as a member of the intended parents’ family
Surrogacy law in Virginia allows two types of surrogacy journey:
- gestational carrier pre-birth agreements
- traditional (genetic) surrogacy
Many intended parents find gestational carrier agreements burdensome and expensive due to the fact that obtaining parental rights over the baby must be court-approved. In the state of Virginia, the gestational carrier is acknowledged as the mother of the child. To be named Parents on the birth certificate, intended parents need to undergo an administrative birth certificate amendment procedure. It is a time-consuming process that requires extra expenses.
For that reason, many aspiring parents seek solutions abroad. In such European countries as Georgia and Ukraine, the exit process is much easier, and prices for surrogacy are far more affordable. Regarding commissioning couples of the LGBT community, they find their way to parenthood in Mexico and Colombia. The World Center of Baby supports the willingness of heterosexual and gay couples to expand their family through surrogacy agreements by providing its services in those countries.
What Does Surrogacy in Virginia Cost?
Depending on the individual arrangements, the standard cost of surrogacy ranges from $90,000 to $130,000. Such a wide range is explained by the particular case of infertility and, consequently, the medical procedures required for each specific condition. The estimation of the general expenses includes:
- medical and psychological screening of the program’s participants
IVF procedure, medications, and embryo transfer - legal charges
- maternal wardrobe, prenatal and delivery initial care and support
gestational carrier remuneration - surrogacy agency fees
Surrogate Mother Virginia: Selection Process
If a woman wants to participate in the surrogacy agreement as a gestational carrier, there are particular yet common in such case requirements she needs to meet. Such as:
- to be of age between 21 and 40 years old;
- delivered at least one healthy child of her own;
- no prior pregnancy complications;
- no more than 5 deliveries and no more than 2 C-sections;
the appropriate body mass index (BMI); - no harmful addictions (non-smoker, non-drug user, no substance abuse, and no excessive medicine use);
- no active sexually transmitted diseases and cancer;
transparently provide medical records to the fertility clinic;
no criminal background records; - a stable financial status with no government assistance;
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status; - readiness to undergo a psychological evaluation
Tips for Finding the Best Surrogacy Agency in Virginia
As it goes with finding the right person to be matched with (in the surrogacy process as well) with choosing a surrogacy agency in Virginia, there are specific points to consider.
- Research whether the agency has its clinic or it works on partnership agreements with others. It will help you to get a clear impression of a total expenses estimation. Agency with its fertility clinic provides transparent pricing policy so there will be less risk of hidden costs.
- Some agencies provide their lawyer assistance when it comes to obtaining parental rights over the child in the exit stage of the program. Look for the one that is pledged to ensure full-spectrum support.
- Choose the surrogacy agency that keeps you fully informed throughout the whole journey. It may seem evident demand, but it is the one hard to check before you set your foot on this path. Learning real success stories and feedback from clients will help you navigate through communication with agencies’ managers.
Final Thoughts
Surrogacy in Virginia is a chance to expand their family for many. However, intended parents should be prepared to undergo an administrative birth certificate amendment procedure to be recognized as child’s parents in the eye of the local law. Those who want to make this process less challenging and trim costs for surrogacy services check solutions overseas with a high-level reproductive medicine, but the prices are way more affordable.
