Surrogacy in South Carolina has become a ray of hope for people struggling with infertility, complicated medical conditions, or same-sex relationships. A surrogate woman carries and raises a child on behalf of the intended parents through the process of surrogacy, enabling families to unite and bring aspirations to life. To accommodate the various requirements and desires of prospective parents, South Carolina provides traditional and gestational surrogacy alternatives.
The state of South Carolina provides intended parents and surrogates with a strong legal framework that safeguards their rights. The legal bindingness of surrogacy agreements guarantees the protection of all parties involved during the procedure. The state’s surrogacy experience is made even more secure and worry-free by this encouraging legal framework.
The lack of surrogacy rules in South Carolina should worry you if you’re thinking about becoming an intended parent in the state. Nonetheless, this family-building process is still possible for you even if South Carolina does not have any surrogacy regulations. Conversely, South Carolina surrogacy is a lawful and safe procedure for potential surrogates as well as intended parents.
Additional Resources:
Everything You Need To Know (in 2023)
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost Using Family Member
Can My Insurance Provider Pay My Surrogacy Costs?
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in the USA ( 2023)?
Surrogacy Costs Breakdown for Intended Parents
An Overview Of Gestational Surrogacy In South Carolina
Although South Carolina does not have any legislation about surrogacy, intended parents and surrogates who choose to follow this route of family-building tend to receive favourable treatment from the state’s courts. There is published case law that supports the legitimacy of surrogacy in South Carolina.
The intent of the parties to surrogacy was determined by the U.S. District Court for Charleston in the case of Mid-South Ins—Co v. Doe, which implied that the gestational carrier agreement was legitimate. As a result, South Carolina considers surrogacy arrangements to be legitimate.
South Carolina’s regulations regarding gestational surrogacy do not restrict the amount of money that can be paid to the surrogate.
While traditional surrogacy is allowed in South Carolina, the legal status of the procedure is changed to adoption due to the surrogate’s genetic relationship to the child she is carrying. Consequently, it is unlawful to receive any payment over the living expenses permitted by South Carolina adoption law.
In South Carolina, creating a surrogacy contract follows the same legal procedure as in many other states. To guarantee that their rights and interests are safeguarded during this significant legal step, each party must be represented by a separate surrogacy lawyer.
The Mid-South Ins. Co. v. Doe case, which established the legality of surrogacy contracts in this state, is the reason why surrogacy contracts are enforceable in South Carolina.
Adoptions by second parents are permitted in South Carolina. In South Carolina, like in any other state, a second-parent adoption grants parental rights to both of the unmarried intended parents of the adopted child.
Surrogacy Laws In South Carolina
South Carolina is a surrogacy-friendly state because it does not have any particular regulations about the practice. Since there is no regulation about surrogacy, surrogacy agreements are usually enforceable, protecting both intended parents and surrogates.
Although it’s not legally required, it’s strongly advised that intending parents and surrogates consult with a South Carolina surrogacy lawyer. A knowledgeable surrogacy lawyer can ensure that your surrogacy agreement is thorough and safeguards the rights and interests of all parties.
Surrogacy Agreement
The United States District Court for the District of Charleston reviewed a gestational carrier arrangement as a result of the Mid-South Ins. Co. v. Doe case. They ascertained the parties’ intentions in the surrogacy contract, suggesting that it was lawful. In light of this ruling, surrogacy contracts are regarded as lawful in the state.
Parentage Orders
Obtaining a pre-birth order is a crucial component of South Carolina surrogacy regulations. A pre-birth order is a legal document that a court issues designating the intended parents as the child’s legal parents before the child’s birth. To facilitate a seamless transfer of parental rights from the surrogate to the intending parents, this decree is necessary.
To get a pre-birth order in South Carolina, certain conditions must be met:
- Consent obtained is required from the surrogate and her spouse, if relevant.
- The child and the intended parents must share genetics, either via one or both intended parents.
- Each party must have its own South Carolina surrogacy lawyer, including the intended parents, the surrogate, and her spouse, if applicable.
- Pre-birth orders minimize potential legal issues by streamlining the legal process and guaranteeing the intending parents complete parental rights from the time of birth.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost In South Carolina?
In the state of South Carolina, surrogacy typically costs between $110,000 and $200,000.
We acknowledge that the range is broad. Costs for surrogates vary for several reasons. These may include the many expenditures associated with your reproductive clinic’s medical screening, surrogate costs, etc. The cost of the surrogate is one element that goes into your total surrogacy cost. The surrogacy procedure is completely free for the woman who decides to participate; thus, as intended parents, you will cover all of her pregnancy-related expenses in addition to paying her a base salary for her services.
Total Expected Surrogacy Fees and Costs if Considering Surrogacy in South Carolina
- Management Fees for Surrogacy Agencies: $22,000 to $30,000.
- Attorney Fees: $7,000 to $12,000
- Medical processes of surrogacy like medications, medical screening, and embryo transfer: between $8,000 and $13,000
- Prenatal and Delivery Care for Surrogate Mothers: $12,000 to $28,000
- Other: $2,500 to $4,800 (travel, monitoring, other insurance, etc.)
Since each surrogacy experience is different and surrogacy costs vary depending on several factors, it is recommended to have a consultation with IVF Conceptions to learn all the specifics.
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?
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?
Surrogacy For Intended Parents. Build your family through surrogacy
In South Carolina
There are several reasons why intended parents choose surrogacy in South Carolina, including:
Infertility: A person or couple may experience infertility for a variety of reasons, such as endometriosis, low sperm count, urethral stricture, or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Medical reasons: Some women are affected by conditions like cancer or heart transplants.
LGBT couples: For many same-sex couples, surrogacy can make motherhood a reality.
Women who have experienced repeated miscarriages: Women who don’t want to take needless medical risks might still enjoy the benefits of parenting with the assistance of a surrogate mother.
Intended parents may select surrogacy in South Carolina for several reasons, such as:
- Not a uterus
- structural issues about the uterus
- Endometriosis
- advanced age of the mother
- challenging previous pregnancies
- Delivery-related issues
- severe medical issues
- Repeated IVF failures and miscarriages
Surrogacy Process
The South Carolina surrogacy procedure is a meticulous undertaking that encompasses multiple crucial phases. An outline of the process for surrogacy in the Palmetto State is provided below.
During your procedure for surrogacy in South Carolina, you will go through seven steps. These typical steps in surrogacy consist of:
- Determine whether or not surrogacy in South Carolina is the best option for you and your family.
- Locate a surrogacy agency to get ready for the surrogacy process.
- Look for a surrogate who possesses the traits you find admirable.
- Meet your legal criteria for surrogacy, see a surrogacy lawyer, and execute a contract. Know about gestational surrogacy laws in South Carolina.
- Launch the medical surrogacy procedure.
- Enjoy spending time with the surrogate before delivery.
- After the baby is delivered, get your legal parentage orders.
Intended parents can enjoy the blessings of parenthood through surrogacy in South Carolina, which is a life-changing procedure that enables surrogates to provide the gift of life. IVF Conceptions is dedicated to providing as much empowerment and fulfillment as we can throughout this process.
Finding A Surrogate Mother In South Carolina | Becoming Surrogate Mother
For couples considering surrogacy as a reproductive treatment, finding a surrogate may be the most difficult task. It’s not easy being a surrogate, and local rules that restrict professional counsel and remuneration frequently make it even less desirable. However, there are tools available to assist people who are committed to starting their own family.
- Since many surrogacy agencies have pre-approved surrogates waiting to be connected with intended parents like you, they might be an excellent resource for finding a surrogate. Even though these matching services could be more expensive than doing it yourself, finding a surrogate is frequently a faster and safer process than doing it yourself.
- Another option for finding a surrogate mother for your family-building journey is to visit a surrogacy or fertility clinic. It’s usually worthwhile for intending parents to inquire about potential gestational surrogates in your fertility clinic’s database, should you have one. Intentional parent and surrogate matching occurs in some clinics but not in others, so always confirm with your specialist just in case.
- In the event that intended parents need legal assistance, some surrogacy attorneys maintain a file of potential surrogates. However, to assist in finding potential surrogates, a lot of surrogacy attorneys collaborate with other lawyers, fertility clinics, and even surrogacy matching specialists.
- You may identify a potential gestational carrier among your relatives and friends if you are interested in an identified or independent surrogacy. It’s more common than you may think to use a friend or family member as your surrogate, and many surrogacy agencies can help you through the remaining steps of the procedure even after you’ve found a surrogate.
Conclusion
In South Carolina, surrogacy is a safe and authorized way to accomplish your goals, so don’t let the lack of surrogacy legislation deter you from beginning this family-building process. You must collaborate with a knowledgeable specialist right away, though, as surrogacy laws are constantly changing.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Surrogacy in South Carolina
1. What is surrogacy and how does it work in South Carolina?
Surrogacy is a legal arrangement where a woman carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple. In South Carolina, surrogacy is allowed, and it involves a legal process where a surrogate agrees to carry a child for the intended parents. The surrogacy process typically involves legal contracts, medical procedures, and surrogacy professionals to guide the journey.
2. What are the laws regarding surrogacy in South Carolina?
South Carolina surrogacy laws regulate the legal aspects of surrogacy arrangements in the state. It’s important to consult with a surrogacy attorney to understand the surrogacy laws in South Carolina and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
3. Can anyone become a surrogate in South Carolina?
Becoming a surrogate in South Carolina involves meeting specific criteria, including medical, emotional, and legal considerations. Those interested in gestational surrogacy must undergo a thorough screening process to determine their suitability. Learn about the compensation provided to the surrogate and have a gestational carrier agreement to determine to terms and conditions of your surrogacy process.
4. What is the process of surrogacy in South Carolina?
The process of surrogacy in South Carolina involves finding a suitable gestational carrier, establishing a surrogacy agreement, and navigating the legal and medical aspects with the help of surrogacy professionals. It’s essential to work with experienced professionals to ensure a smooth and legal surrogacy journey.
FAQs for surrogacy in the USA
Q1. What is the process of surrogacy in the USA for intended parents?
Ans. The surrogacy process in South Carolina 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.
