Louisiana surrogacy laws and planning route
Louisiana Surrogacy Bill HB 1102 took effect on August 1, 2016. This bill restricts gestational surrogacy to heterosexual married couples using their own gametes and places onerous requirements on suc... Use this page to separate public legal context from the counsel, clinic, and coordinator decisions that still need case-specific review.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Legal Review Team, Legal content review team on October 8, 2025.
Before acting on Louisiana surrogacy law
Use this page to decide who should own the next step — your attorney, clinic, or coordinator.
Confirm the Louisiana parentage path, compensation language, venue or residency assumptions, and required signatures before anyone treats a match as ready.
Read legal summaryConfirm medical clearance, transfer timing, records, monitoring logistics, psychological review, and any clinic-specific requirements before calendars are locked.
Review requirementsMap state fit, provider handoffs, escrow and insurance timing, travel burden, and whether the Louisiana route needs a backup jurisdiction.
Talk to our teamThe Louisiana law, section by section
Category
Most Restrictive
Surrogacy Law
Very restricted. Only heterosexual married couples using their own egg and sperm can pursue gestational surrogacy.
Commercial Surrogacy
Not allowed—only unpaid arrangements (expenses only).
Pre-Birth Orders
Possible only if all parties have lived in Louisiana for at least 6 months and the court approves before embryo transfer.
Parent Eligibility
Married heterosexual couples (own gametes) → allowed. Anyone else (unmarried, same-sex, single, using donors) → not allowed.
Same-Sex Parents
No legal path through surrogacy; only limited options via adoption.
Birth Certificate Timing
4-6 weeks; may exceed 6 months if adoption is required
Out-of-State Orders
Not recognized by Louisiana Vital Records.
Overall
Louisiana has one of the most restrictive surrogacy laws in the U.S.
This summary is based on the primary source listed for Louisiana. Confirm your situation with a reproductive attorney licensed in that state.
SourceWe coordinate with reproductive law specialists who draft enforceable agreements tailored to your family plan.
How escrow works in Louisiana
In Louisiana, your surrogacy funds are held in a fertility-law firm's attorney trust account (an IOLTA). Patriot never holds your money directly. The firm administers the trust account using software built for that workflow.
Patriot recommends TrustUS, the software your law firm uses to hold your funds. TrustUS runs on top of the firm's IOLTA — not as a separate third-party escrow agent.
Patriot has not independently verified TrustUS's compliance attestations; consult your attorney before custodying funds.
Explore more states
Stay confident in your chosen destination. See how other jurisdictions approach pre-birth orders, surrogacy compensation, and intended parent protections.
Surrogacy laws are complex and vary by state. Our team collaborates with experienced reproductive law attorneys across the country to ensure your journey remains legally sound and fully protected.
Become a SurrogatePlanning surrogacy in Louisiana?
Move from legal research into the next decision pages: requirements, cost planning, agency comparison, and a live conversation with the team.
Talk with a reproductive attorney licensed in Louisiana before you act on any detail here.
Louisiana surrogacy laws and planning route
Louisiana Surrogacy Bill HB 1102 took effect on August 1, 2016. This bill restricts gestational surrogacy to heterosexual married couples using their own gametes and places onerous requirements on suc... Use this page to separate public legal context from the counsel, clinic, and coordinator decisions that still need case-specific review.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Legal Review Team, Legal content review team on October 8, 2025.
- Legal Status
- Surrogacy contracts are prohibited or unenforceable
- Pre-Birth Orders
- Available
- Compensated Surrogacy
- Prohibited
- Residency Requirement
- Not Required
Before acting on Louisiana surrogacy law
Use this page to decide who should own the next step — your attorney, clinic, or coordinator.
Confirm the Louisiana parentage path, compensation language, venue or residency assumptions, and required signatures before anyone treats a match as ready.
Read legal summaryConfirm medical clearance, transfer timing, records, monitoring logistics, psychological review, and any clinic-specific requirements before calendars are locked.
Review requirementsMap state fit, provider handoffs, escrow and insurance timing, travel burden, and whether the Louisiana route needs a backup jurisdiction.
Talk to our teamThe Louisiana law, section by section
Category
Most Restrictive
Surrogacy Law
Very restricted. Only heterosexual married couples using their own egg and sperm can pursue gestational surrogacy.
Commercial Surrogacy
Not allowed—only unpaid arrangements (expenses only).
Pre-Birth Orders
Possible only if all parties have lived in Louisiana for at least 6 months and the court approves before embryo transfer.
Parent Eligibility
Married heterosexual couples (own gametes) → allowed. Anyone else (unmarried, same-sex, single, using donors) → not allowed.
Same-Sex Parents
No legal path through surrogacy; only limited options via adoption.
Birth Certificate Timing
4-6 weeks; may exceed 6 months if adoption is required
Out-of-State Orders
Not recognized by Louisiana Vital Records.
Overall
Louisiana has one of the most restrictive surrogacy laws in the U.S.
Based on the primary source listed for Louisiana. Confirm your situation with a reproductive attorney licensed in that state.
Source Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 9:2718: gestational carrier contractsWe coordinate with reproductive law specialists who draft enforceable agreements tailored to your family plan.
How escrow works in Louisiana
In Louisiana, your surrogacy funds are held in a fertility-law firm's attorney trust account (an IOLTA). Patriot never holds your money directly. The firm administers the trust account using software built for that workflow.
Patriot recommends TrustUS, the software your law firm uses to hold your funds. TrustUS runs on top of the firm's IOLTA — not as a separate third-party escrow agent.
Patriot has not independently verified TrustUS's compliance attestations; consult your attorney before custodying funds.
Explore more states
See how other jurisdictions approach pre-birth orders, surrogacy compensation, and intended parent protections.
Planning surrogacy in Louisiana?
Move from legal research into the next decision pages: requirements, cost planning, agency comparison, and a live conversation with the team.