A Guide To Single-Parent Surrogacy

When we talk about surrogacy, we usually reference cases where a married couple seeks a surrogate. Surrogates often also look for married couples to work with. Single parent surrogacy is on the rise and is a viable way to have a family on your terms. Let’s look at what single surrogacy looks like and the process it may entail.

What Is Single-Parent Surrogacy

Single parent surrogacy is a popular choice for unmarried men or women who wish to become parents. In gestational surrogacy, the baby is not related to the surrogate mother and is the biological child of the single mother or single father. The pregnancy is created using in vitro-fertilization, also known as IVF, with an egg donation option for prospective fathers, and a sperm donation option for prospective mothers. Once fertilization takes place, the embryo is placed in the surrogate mother’s uterus. 

An adoption agency or law firm can put you in touch with potential sperm donors or egg donors unless you already have a suitable one in mind. The surrogate process involves a surrogacy contract and may also include pre and post-birth orders, depending on the kind of surrogacy you choose. 

Adoption vs Surrogacy

While surrogacy and adoption are both valid and beautiful ways to grow your family, they each come with pros and cons. Although the legal process is similar in both instances, as a single parent there may be more challenges for you to navigate. Birth mothers tend to favor married couples as prospective adoptive parents, but single parent surrogacy may require more paperwork than surrogacy for a married couple does. Surrogacy is usually more expensive than adoption, which can be difficult for some single parents to manage, and is another important factor to consider. 

Choosing A Surrogate

An adoption agency or law firm will be able to connect you with a list of prospective surrogates who have passed an intensive screening process. Your profile will be shared with surrogate mothers and you will only be connected with surrogates who are interested in meeting you. This process saves time and protects both parties, ensuring that you will only be meeting with someone who has already chosen you. 

There may be an additional screening process before arranging an initial meeting, in which both sides are asked questions about pregnancy to see if it’s a good match in terms of personal preferences and sensitive topics. Before the process can proceed further, you will have to complete medical testing to make sure a potential pregnancy is safe and viable. Once all of these steps have been completed, your lawyer and the surrogate’s lawyer will draft the necessary paperwork and legal contracts. 

Surrogacy For A Single Father 

As a single father, you will be able to choose between gestational and traditional surrogacy. In a gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is not related to the baby, and in a traditional surrogacy, the surrogate acts as the egg donor. 

As a single mother, you’ll have to find a sperm donor as well as a surrogate who is interested in gestational surrogacy, if you wish to be a biological mother. Keep in mind that as a single mother, there are additional steps you will have to take to be added as the biological mother on your child’s birth certificate. According to Florida law, you must have a pre-pregnancy agreement with the surrogate mother, and you will have to adopt your child after the birth in order to make  changes to your child’s birth certificate. This law is considered to be old-fashioned and out of sync with modern times but it is nevertheless important to be aware of these steps before you begin the surrogacy process. 

Pros & Cons Of Single-Parent Surrogacy

There are many benefits of choosing single-parent surrogacy. You’ll be able to become a parent without a spouse or partner, and you’ll also be able to be the biological parent of your child, which is a deeply held desire for many prospective parents. On the other hand, being a single parent comes with its challenges. Surrogacy is quite expensive, and you’ll need to meet certain financial requirements that prove you’ll be able to provide as a single parent. Becoming a parent is also an emotional journey with many ups and downs, so consider if you’ll have the emotional support of friends or family to rely on if you need it. 

How We Can Help You

As compassionate adoption lawyers, we have years of experience advocating for intended parents, birth mothers, and children. It is of the utmost importance that you hire trustworthy legal counsel who are well versed in surrogacy and adoption law and can protect your best interests. If you are considering single-parent surrogacy or adoption in the state of Florida, contact us today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and are here to guide you every step of the way. 

Sources:

https://www.americansurrogacy.com/parents/single-parent-surrogacy