Surrogacy Dictionary: A Glossary of Important Terms
Surrogacy language can vary across clinics, agencies, contracts, and jurisdictions. Use these definitions as orientation, then confirm the meaning in the document or process that controls your case.
Common terms
- Agency: A nonclinical organization that may coordinate intake, matching, schedules, communication, and service-provider handoffs.
- Embryo transfer: A clinical procedure performed by a fertility clinic in which an embryo is placed into the uterus.
- Escrow: A separately administered account or service used to hold and disburse funds under agreed instructions.
- Gestational carrier: A person who carries a pregnancy created from an embryo and is not the genetic source of the egg used for that embryo.
- Intended parent: A person pursuing parenthood through an assisted-reproduction arrangement.
- Independent counsel: An attorney representing one party’s own interests, separate from counsel for another party.
- Medical clearance: A decision made by the treating fertility clinic or its licensed professionals after required screening.
- Matching: The agency process through which prospective parties review information, communicate, and decide whether to proceed together.
- Parentage: The legal relationship between a parent and child. How it is established depends on the jurisdiction and case.
- Post-birth order: A court order sought after birth in jurisdictions or cases where that procedure applies.
- Pre-birth order: A court order sought before birth in jurisdictions or cases where that procedure is available and appropriate.
- Surrogacy agreement: A contract reviewed by the parties’ independent attorneys that sets out rights, responsibilities, expectations, and financial terms.
No single parentage procedure is universally required or available. Independent reproductive counsel should confirm the current law, filing path, timing, and documents for each party and jurisdiction.
Surrogacy is a legal and medical-adjacent topic. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Dec 5, 2019.
Surrogacy Dictionary: A Glossary of Important Terms
Surrogacy language can vary across clinics, agencies, contracts, and jurisdictions. Use these definitions as orientation, then confirm the meaning in the document or process that controls your case.
Common terms
- Agency: A nonclinical organization that may coordinate intake, matching, schedules, communication, and service-provider handoffs.
- Embryo transfer: A clinical procedure performed by a fertility clinic in which an embryo is placed into the uterus.
- Escrow: A separately administered account or service used to hold and disburse funds under agreed instructions.
- Gestational carrier: A person who carries a pregnancy created from an embryo and is not the genetic source of the egg used for that embryo.
- Intended parent: A person pursuing parenthood through an assisted-reproduction arrangement.
- Independent counsel: An attorney representing one party’s own interests, separate from counsel for another party.
- Medical clearance: A decision made by the treating fertility clinic or its licensed professionals after required screening.
- Matching: The agency process through which prospective parties review information, communicate, and decide whether to proceed together.
- Parentage: The legal relationship between a parent and child. How it is established depends on the jurisdiction and case.
- Post-birth order: A court order sought after birth in jurisdictions or cases where that procedure applies.
- Pre-birth order: A court order sought before birth in jurisdictions or cases where that procedure is available and appropriate.
- Surrogacy agreement: A contract reviewed by the parties’ independent attorneys that sets out rights, responsibilities, expectations, and financial terms.
No single parentage procedure is universally required or available. Independent reproductive counsel should confirm the current law, filing path, timing, and documents for each party and jurisdiction.
For your own case, confirm legal and medical details with your attorney and clinic.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Dec 5, 2019.