Surrogacy in Utah is a challenging family-building procedure. While Utah’s surrogacy regulations offer opportunities for all surrogates and married intended parents to fulfill their surrogacy dreams, it is more challenging to navigate the legal requirements for unmarried intended-parent couples and single intended parents.
Regardless of your marital status, it is crucial to consult with a Utah surrogacy lawyer before determining if this route to starting a family is the best one for you. The specifics of how Utah’s surrogacy regulations may impact your ability to become a surrogate or have a child via surrogacy, given your unique situation, can only be explained by an expert attorney.
Surrogacy in Utah might be the best decision you’ve ever made—as long as you collaborate with the right experts from start to finish. We can assist you even if you have inquiries about how to carry a kid for someone else in Utah or how to become a surrogate mother in Utah.
The Utah surrogacy procedure is explained in depth below, along with other crucial information you should be aware of before you begin. For further information about Utah surrogacy, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a surrogacy expert.
Additional guides for surrogacy in the USA:
Surrogacy In the USA is Made Easy and Affordable.
How Much do Surrogacy Agencies Charge in the USA?
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in USA ( 2023)?
Why USA Couples Should Do Surrogacy In Georgia, Europe?
Surrogacy Financing Options For Intended Parents
Why Surrogacy Costs So High And How To Manage It?
An Overview Of Utah Surrogacy
According to a 2008 law, gestational surrogacy is permitted in Utah, but only for married couples. If you’re an unmarried individual or couple considering surrogacy as a means of expanding your family, get more information about your possibilities by speaking with a knowledgeable Utah surrogacy lawyer. It is permissible and covered by state legislation to provide a gestational surrogate with a base salary in a Utah surrogacy.
Utah surrogacy courts will issue a pre-birth parentage order, which permits the intended parents’ names to be listed on the birth certificate, once a surrogacy contract is granted (before the baby’s delivery). Even married couples who utilize donor gametes to create their embryos are subject to these regulations. Parentage orders, however, are typically not granted to single people or unmarried couples.
The similar Utah surrogacy regulations that apply to domestic intended parents also apply to foreign-intended parents, as do any federal immigration restrictions pertaining to returning home following the birth of a child. Since Utah’s surrogacy regulations only apply to married intended parents, any unmarried or single intended parent seeking a surrogacy would have to finalize an adoption after the baby is born.
Second-parent adoptions are prohibited in Utah. Adopting is only permitted in Utah by married couples or single people (but only as a secondary priority). Establishing parental rights to a child born via surrogacy can be difficult for unmarried couples intending to be parents due to Utah’s adoption and surrogacy laws.
As a result, in order to complete a stepparent adoption, these couples must either be married in Utah prior to starting their surrogacy journey or after, or they must decide to finish their surrogacy in a different state where they can acquire a pre- or post-birth parentage order.
While LGBT-intended parents were formerly excluded from surrogacy in this state because of marital restrictions, the federal marriage equality verdict means that all married LGBT-intended parents have the same rights under Utah surrogacy rules as heterosexual intended parents.
In Utah, traditional surrogacy is legal because there is no legislation or written case law that forbids it. Nonetheless, a surrogate’s eggs “may not be used in the assisted reproduction procedure,” according to Utah’s surrogacy laws. Therefore, traditional surrogacy is a riskier practice in Utah and is not protected by the state’s surrogacy legislation. Because of this, the majority of surrogacy lawyers refuse to deal with conventional surrogate agreements.
Surrogacy Laws In Utah
It’s important to comprehend Utah’s surrogacy legislation before starting your surrogacy journey. For intended parents as well as surrogates, working with a knowledgeable surrogacy attorney is essential. They assist in clarifying Utah’s surrogacy regulations and assisting you with the frequently intricate legal procedure.
Surrogacy Agreement In Utah
Many people ask, “What is Utah’s surrogacy law regarding contracts?” Surrogacy contracts outline the rights, obligations, and expectations of all parties involved, so they are more than just a formality in the legal system. These contracts are necessary and lawful in Utah, guaranteeing that each party knows exactly what their responsibilities are during this life-changing procedure.
The state of Utah allows intended parents, donors, surrogates, and the surrogate’s spouse (if married) to sign a gestational surrogacy agreement. These statutes also impose obligations on the person taking part in a Utah surrogacy:
Intended Parents
- They should be married
- Finished a home study, barring a court waiver
- Attend mental health therapy sessions before signing the contract.
Surrogate
- Not be getting aid from the state
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Act solely as a gestational surrogate
- Her husband’s sperm cannot be used in the embryo if she gets married.
- Attend mental health therapy sessions before signing the contract.
- Possess the medical capacity to carry another child and have experienced at least one pregnancy and delivery.
The gestational surrogacy contract is enforceable in a court of law once the provisions have been approved by the court.
Parentage Orders In Utah | Utah surrogacy laws
Married parents can acquire a pre-birth parentage order regardless of their genetic relationship to the child once a surrogacy contract is approved (before the baby’s birth). These orders are also granted to married couples who utilize donor sperm or eggs in their embryo. Nonetheless, single people or unmarried couples typically do not receive parentage orders.
Regardless of their genetic relationship to their child, intended parents who use donor gametes and are married can nonetheless get a pre-birth order. However, due to their marital status, any intended parents who are single or not married and who use a donor gamete are unable to seek a parentage order in Utah.
Even while state laws clearly declare that a donor is not the parent of a child created through assisted reproductive technology, unmarried intended parents will still need to pursue further legal measures in order to prove their parental rights.
Utah’s laws on gestational surrogacy do not provide protection to intended parents who utilize donor embryos. However, if a married heterosexual or same-sex couple wants to use this type of surrogacy, some courts will still grant them a pre-birth order.
Surrogacy Cost in Utah
The average cost of surrogacy in Utah typically ranges from $180,000 to $250,000. Due to differing medical expenditures at the fertility clinic, surrogacy charges, legal fees, and other unforeseen incidentals related to the surrogacy procedure, surrogacy prices can vary greatly.
Due to the complexity of the procedure and the need for numerous expert services, surrogacy is an expensive endeavor. The costs associated with surrogacy can quickly mount up when you account for surrogate compensation, legal fees, and medical services. Surrogacy comes with hefty financial obligations, so you should do your homework and be ready for everything.
Let’s examine some of the costs associated with Utah surrogacy that you should be aware of to know how much surrogacy costs in Utah!
SURROGACY AGENCY
Both intended parents and surrogates who bring the child to term might benefit from the services offered by surrogacy firms. Professionals with training who offer case management, counseling, and other services are employed by surrogacy agencies. In Utah, the typical cost of a surrogacy agency is between $20,000 and $32,000.
MEDICAL EXPENSES
The screening of a potential surrogate to make sure she is healthy and capable of bearing a child is a crucial step in any surrogacy procedure.
The following set of screening processes must be completed by every possible surrogate:
- Both paperwork and an assessment.
- Every previous pregnancy record will be needed.
- recent pap smear.
- Urine and blood tests
- The surrogate and her partner will have to undergo STD blood testing.
- Medical history evaluation.
- drug testing, both for drugs and for the partner of the surrogate.
The medications that the surrogate is probably prescribed will also be included in the surrogacy process’s medical expenses. Medication used in surrogacy aids in uterine wall preparation for implantation, improving the likelihood that an embryo transfer will be successful. In Utah, the average cost of medical screening, medication, and embryo transfer for surrogacy can range from $7,800 to $14,000.
SURROGACY LAWYER EXPENSES
The surrogacy process benefits greatly from the involvement of surrogate attorneys, who are worth the cost because they give peace of mind that the procedure is carried out legally.
In Utah, surrogacy legal services typically cost between $6,900 and $15,000.
Your attorney will supervise the legal proceedings to ensure that any out-of-state laws are followed if your surrogate party is not a resident of Utah.
GESTATIONAL SURROGATE COMPENSATION
Surrogates receive payment for implanting another person’s embryo, carrying the pregnancy to term, and then honoring their commitment to deliver the child to the expectant parent or parents.
During the surrogacy process, surrogates may also get extra allowances in addition to a monthly stipend. The surrogate’s compensation costs include what is known as a base payment, which in Utah typically varies from $36,000 to $50,000.
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES OF SURROGACY
The additional costs that may arise for things like travel, insurance premiums, and a host of other things are frequently disregarded. Surrogacy costs should be budgeted for with an additional $2,700 to $5,000.
PRENATAL CARE AND DELIVERY
In order to guarantee the health and safety of the unborn child as well as the surrogate bearing the child, the surrogate will be assessed, just like in any other pregnancy.
In Utah, the average cost of the surrogate’s prenatal care and delivery falls between $12,500 and $29,000. The costs associated with giving birth can vary based on several factors, including whether or not a C-section is being performed and any additional unanticipated medical requirements that the baby or surrogate may have.
The total cost of the surrogacy procedure can differ greatly based on each set of circumstances.
Surrogacy Journey For Intended Parents In Utah
An option for hopeful parents facing infertility is gestational surrogacy, which entails a healthy woman, known as a gestational carrier, agreeing to carry a pregnancy for the intended parents through a cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which creates viable embryos using the intended parents or a donor’s sperm and eggs. The embryos are then placed into the surrogate’s uterus to initiate a pregnancy, which can be detected as early as six weeks after embryo placement. Many surrogates go on to carry a pregnancy to term and undergo a normal delivery.
It might be suggested that those who have faced obstacles to becoming pregnant consider gestational surrogacy:
- women who don’t have a uterus.
- Women have health issues that might cause them or their babies to be in danger if they become pregnant.
- Women with uterine issues that make it impossible for them to conceive, such as fibroids, uterine cavity scarring, or other disorders that make the uterus unfit for a child.
- women who have experienced repeated miscarriages during pregnancy.
- man couples of the same sex or male parents raising their own children.
Surrogacy Process in Utah-
It is essential that intended parents and potential surrogates recognize the uniqueness of each surrogacy procedure when it comes to the surrogacy process in Utah. Numerous elements, many of which depend on the circumstances of the parties involved, go into Utah surrogacy.
In Utah, surrogacy often entails the following:
Step 1: Determine whether surrogacy is a good fit for the Utah surrogacy process.
Step 2: Make a surrogacy strategy and select a surrogacy expert.
Step 3: Finish the pre-surrogacy evaluation.
Step 4: Locate a partner for your surrogacy.
Step 5: Make your surrogacy contract
Step 6: Finish the surrogacy’s medical requirements.
Step 7: Complete the surrogacy procedure in Utah.
The gestational surrogacy carrier and the intended parents will both be there when the baby is delivered. The intended parents’ surrogacy lawyer will ensure that all relevant procedures are completed prior to hospital release. When the child is born, the gestational surrogacy carrier will also get her last payment, concluding the Utah surrogacy procedure.
Finding A Surrogate Mother In Utah | Become a gestational surrogate
Having a child through a surrogate mother is still a contentious topic. Because it differs from state to state, the legal system is very complex. Nevertheless, you and your spouse have the option of using surrogacy, whether for infertility issues or for other reasons.
The baby’s biological mother serves as a typical surrogate. This is because their egg was the one that the father’s sperm fertilized. You can also use sperm from donors.
These days, it is feasible to obtain the mother’s or donor’s eggs, fertilize them with the father’s or donor’s sperm, and transfer the resulting embryo into the uterus of a gestational surrogate. “In vitro fertilization” (IVF) is the term for this procedure.
We refer to a gestational surrogate as the “birth mother.” The lady whose egg was fertilized remains the biological mother nonetheless.
A few typical methods for obtaining a surrogate mother are listed below:
- Surrogacy agencies
- Online platforms for surrogacy
- Fertility clinics and legal councils
- Altruistic surrogacy (among friends and family)
- Events and support groups for surrogacy
Regardless of the approach you take, it’s critical to thoroughly investigate and screen any potential surrogates. To make sure the surrogate is psychologically and physically fit for the process, it can be necessary to do criminal history, medical, and mental health background checks.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about surrogacy in Utah, be aware that the process may be a little more difficult than in another more surrogacy-friendly state in the union, unless you are a married intended parent. It takes bravery, love, and hope for an intended parent to begin a surrogacy journey in Utah.
Knowing the laws governing surrogacy in Utah is essential to comprehending how using a surrogate operates there. Although there are rules unique to the Beehive State, we’ll make sure your trip goes smoothly with our assistance. We follow you while making sure each legal box is checked. You’re one step closer to achieving your goals if you comprehend the intricacies of the surrogacy procedure and how surrogacy works in Utah.
If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.
Our team has over 13 years of experience facilitating surrogacy arrangements, egg donation, and serving as an advocacy resource for infertile couples and LGBTQ individuals seeking to build families. Till now we have helped and supported thousands of the intended parents with their family-building journey, and we can help you as well. Happy to share the references from the past IPs if needed.
Our founder and chief surrogacy consultant, Neelam Chhagani, passionately helps couples struggling with fertility challenges. Since starting our surrogacy consulting agency in 2013, we’ve helped welcome over 500 babies for intended parents nationwide.
Our team includes experts from diverse backgrounds with leading reproductive attorneys, professionally trained top fertility doctors, former surrogacy case managers, experienced and kind surrogate mother and egg donor coordinators, mental health professionals specializing in infertility counseling, and a logistic support team to assist you in your chosen surrogacy country.
International surrogacy guide:
Top 4 cheapest countries for surrogacy
Best Countries for Surrogacy 2023- Top International Destinations
Risks of international surrogacy
Global International Surrogacy Options
IVF Conceptions Surrogacy Prices & Plans
FAQs for gestational surrogates in Utah
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction where a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple. In Utah, surrogacy involves legal and medical procedures to facilitate the birth of a child for intended parents who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term on their own.
Are there specific laws regarding surrogacy in Utah?
Utah surrogacy laws outline the legal procedures and requirements for surrogacy arrangements in the state. Surrogacy in Utah needs to comply with the relevant legal regulations to ensure a smooth and legally binding process for all involved parties.
What is the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy involves the use of IVF to transfer an embryo created from the intended parents’ sperm and/or egg (or donor sperm or egg) into the surrogate’s uterus. In contrast, traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate using her own egg, making her the biological parent of the child.
How can someone become a surrogate in Utah?
To become a surrogate in Utah, an individual must meet specific medical, emotional, and legal criteria. Working with a reputable surrogacy agency and seeking legal advice can help potential surrogates navigate the process of becoming a gestational surrogate in Utah.
What is the surrogacy process for married intended parents in Utah?
The surrogacy process for married intended parents in Utah involves legal and medical steps, including finding a suitable gestational surrogate, creating a surrogacy agreement, and undergoing IVF to create embryos for transfer into the surrogate’s uterus.
Is gestational surrogacy legal and permitted for married intended parents in Utah?
Gestational surrogacy is permitted and legal for married intended parents in Utah, provided all parties adhere to the surrogacy agreement terms and conditions.
FAQs for surrogacy in the USA
Q1. What is the process of surrogacy in the USA for intended parents?
Ans. The surrogacy process in Utah for intended parents involves multiple steps, starting with a consultation to discuss your story and questions. Working with an experienced agency in surrogacy guides you through milestones like choosing an agency, finding a surrogate, medical screening, and legal contracts.
Q2. How much does surrogacy in the USA cost?
Ans. The cost of surrogacy in the USA varies depending on the program you choose. The cost of surrogacy starts at $150,000 to $200,000 based on the specific services needed and the compensation of the surrogate mother and egg donor. For low-cost surrogacy, it is advised to consider “independent surrogacy or private surrogacy”, which costs less but requires more time and management.
Q3. What are some affordable surrogacy options?
Ans. Affordable surrogacy options are:
- Opting for independent surrogacy arrangements.
- Using a surrogate mother within the family or friend circle.
- Considering the international surrogacy countries with affordable, low-cost surrogacy programs like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Georgia, and Ukraine.
Q4. What are the requirements for becoming a surrogate mother in the USA?
Ans. The requirements for becoming a surrogate mother are:
- To become a surrogate mother, you must meet certain criteria.
- You should have delivered a child of your own and be parenting at least one child.
- Uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries are necessary, as documented by medical records.
- Age requirements are between 21 and 44 years old.
- The Body Mass Index (BMI) is typically no higher than 33.
- Surrogates should be citizens, legal residents, or legal immigrants of the United States.
- medically and psychologically in sound condition.
Q5. Can you help us find a low-cost surrogate mother?
Ans. Yes, we have been working in the international surrogacy domain for 13 years and have good networks of fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies globally that are trusted to offer world-class services. We have long expertise and experience in the best and most legal international surrogacy countries.
Disclaimer:
All legal information on this website is intended only as a guide and is not a replacement for the opinions of licensed legal professionals/Medical professionals. Some information may have changed since the time of publication. We advise you to consult a licensed attorney/Medical expert with authority in fertility/surrogacy processes.
More Resources:
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM): https://www.asrm.org/
- The American Infertility Association (AIA): https://resolve.org/
- Family Equality Council: https://www.familyequality.org/
- National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): https://www.nclrights.org/
- https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/fertility/how-to-afford-surrogacy
