Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A: I am contemplating being a GS Surrogate for a friend who would like to have a child but is unable to carry it on her own. Would she have to adopt the child once it is born or can she automatically be listed as the birth mother?

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Surrogate Mothers Online Q & A

Q & A: Legal/Contract Issues - Surrogacy

Topics may include contracts, legal fees, establishing parental rights, etc.

31. I am contemplating being a GS Surrogate for a friend who would like to have a child but is unable to carry it on her own. Would she have to adopt the child once it is born or can she automatically be listed as the birth mother? - Theresa in GA - Top

Dear Theresa,

You would get an attorney and so would she and then a petition would need to be filed. And yes, something like an adoption would be needed. A judge would grant that and then the mom can be legally on the birth certificate. You also will need a contract for the arrangement. Note that the parents to be will need to pay for any and all costs of the surrogacy, including attorney fees. Normally a surrogate should receive a compensation fee also, but, since you will be helping a friend, you may, of course, choose to forego the fee.

Good luck,
Sherry - Updated: January 31, 2000
Topics may include contracts, legal fees, establishing parental rights, etc.

31. I am contemplating being a GS Surrogate for a friend who would like to have a child but is unable to carry it on her own. Would she have to adopt the child once it is born or can she automatically be listed as the birth mother? - Theresa in GA - Top: Dear Theresa,

You would get an attorney and so would she and then a petition would need to be filed. And yes, something like an adoption would be needed. A judge would grant that and then the mom can be legally on the birth certificate. You also will need a contract for the arrangement. Note that the parents to be will need to pay for any and all costs of the surrogacy, including attorney fees. Normally a surrogate should receive a compensation fee also, but, since you will be helping a friend, you may, of course, choose to forego the fee.

Good luck,
Sherry - Updated: January 31, 2000

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Sherry - Experienced gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement

Linda - New Mommy to twins born via gestational surrogacy and egg donation

Jennifer S. - Experienced AI surrogate

Lynn - New Mommy to a daughter born via traditional surrogacy

Tracie - 5 time egg donor (triplets, 2 sets of twins and 2 singletons) and 3 time surrogate (2-AI, 1-IVF).

Lisa - Experienced egg donor and previous gestational surrogate currently working on her 2nd surrogacy arrangement (Lisa was our former ED host, prior to July 1999.)
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