Tier 1 (Highly Favorable): California - most progressive laws, pre-birth orders, all family types; Illinois - Gestational Surrogacy Act, comprehensive protections; Connecticut - favorable case law, established procedures; Delaware - modern surrogacy statute, clear parentage laws; Nevada - progressive legislation, strong intended parent rights; New Hampshire - well-established surrogacy framework. Tier 2 (Generally Favorable): Florida - allows surrogacy with proper contracts; Texas - validated surrogacy with court approval; Colorado - recent favorable legislation; Oregon - surrogacy-friendly environment. Problematic/Restrictive States: New York - recently legalized but with restrictions; Michigan - criminal penalties still exist; Louisiana - prohibits compensated surrogacy.
Typical workflow (high level)
- Start with a consultation: clarify goals and constraints.
- Confirm requirements: legal, medical, and logistical.
- Plan the next steps: timelines, documentation, and decision points.
What can vary (and why)
- Clinic schedules and medical protocols (individualized to the situation).
- State and international legal requirements (especially for parentage workflows).
- Matching preferences and availability (fit matters).
- Insurance and financial structure (coverage details can change).
- Logistics like travel, time zones, and appointment availability.
Questions to ask (so you don’t get surprised later)
- What are the next 2–3 steps in my specific situation?
- What documents or records should I prepare before we start?
- Which decisions should I make now vs later?
- Who will be my primary point of contact during the journey?
- How will we communicate and share updates (email, calls, portal)?
- What are the typical milestones from start to finish?
Next steps
Important note
This page is educational information only and is not medical, legal, or tax advice. Always confirm specifics with qualified professionals and your care team.
See the sources section below for reference links when available.
What to prepare (so the next step is faster)
- A list of your goals, constraints, and timeline preferences.
- Any relevant medical records (or questions about which records matter).
- A budget range and what you want included in an estimate.
- A shortlist of questions you want answered before committing.
- A plan for how you’ll track appointments and documents.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on assumptions instead of getting the “who pays/does what” in writing.
- Comparing costs or success rates without confirming the exact definition being used.
- Skipping a professional review when the decision has legal, medical, or tax consequences.
- Waiting too long to clarify timelines, documentation needs, and scheduling constraints.
When to get professional help
If your situation involves cross-state or international elements, complex medical history, insurance uncertainty, or legal/tax questions, get qualified professional guidance early. It’s almost always cheaper (and less stressful) to prevent surprises than to fix them mid-journey.