Surrogacy in Texas: What Are the Options?
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 Texas, discovering what intended parents may face.
Surrogacy in Texas: All You Need to Know About the Lone Star State
Texas is one of the surrogacy-friendly states. Gestational Surrogacy is permitted by Texas by Tex. Fam. Code§ 160-751 through § 160-763. Its laws guarantee intended parents (IPs) legal parental rights to a baby born to their contracted gestational surrogate (GS). There are two primary components of surrogate mother laws in Texas to become know before entering into a so-called gestational arrangement:
- the intended parents have the right to enter into a written arrangement with a gestational carrier and to have a court validate said agreement;
- the surrogacy arrangement can envisage that the intended parents will be the legal parents of a child born under a said surrogacy arrangement
The Lone Star State also expects health insurance providers to cover some in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Thus, surrogacy in Texas seems to be a convenient solution to many who are willing to expand their family through a third-party reproductive process.
What Does Surrogacy in Texas Cost?
Commonly the price tag for surrogacy journey in Texas ranges between $100,000 and $125,000. Usually, it includes:
- agency fees
- surrogate fees (including surrogate expense and housekeeping allowance, maternity clothing)
- medical and psychological of intended parents and a surrogate screening, IVF fees, medication costs
- newborn cash pay fee-for-service
Many intended parents may find it a rather expensive journey. For that reason, IPs seek solutions abroad in such countries as Mexico, Colombia, and Ukraine. Those are the destinations that offer a comprehensive and supportive approach towards surrogacy. While heterosexual IPs choose Ukraine, gay couples and singles prefer Mexico and Colombia for those countries that advocate for LGBTQ+ community rights. Besides, affordable prices for surrogacy services make it accessible for many people.
Requirements for Intended Parents and a Surrogate Mother in Texas
The loyalty of the state of Texas to the surrogacy process implies that сouples and individuals from different backgrounds, ages, and sexual orientations use gestational arrangement and egg donation to build their families. These diverse group of IPs may include:
- heterosexual couples who have faced infertility issues
- intended mothers who are unable to carry a child
- intended parents who have a genetic or health condition they don’t want to pass on to their child
- commissioning couples (same-sex intended parents) who want to have a genetic link to their little one
As for the requirements for a woman who wants to participate in the surrogacy program as a gestational carrier, they are as follows:
- age between 21 and 40
- must have successfully given birth
- must meet healthy body mass index (BMI)
- perfect overall health
- no harmful addictions (non-smoker and non-drug user)
- no criminal background
- >stable financial position
- supportive family
The surrogacy law in Texas also implies the surrogate mother must live and deliver the baby in Texas. The residency of the IPs does not affect the result. This allows for many intended parents who live in non-friendly states to arrange a Texas gestational carrier to fulfill their surrogacy journey.
Finding a Surrogacy Agency in Texas
Finding the best surrogacy agency in Texas requires research. Not every surrogacy agency that claims to be a perfect fit is actually the one. It would be best if you had someone to share your views about the surrogacy process and to acknowledge your values.
To make your surrogacy journey more budget-friendly, consider the agency that offers full-spectrum support, has its own clinic and provides all the necessary information assistance during pregnancy and child delivery.
Final Thoughts
Surrogacy in Texas is a solution to build a family for those who find it challenging to do it naturally. Its laws permit gestational surrogacy for married IPs who follow the procedures specified in the statute. Under the gestational surrogacy agreement, both intended parents will be recognized as parents of a newborn child. Same-sex parents undergo the same procedure; if not married, only the biological parent is named on the birth certificate.
