Bethlehem, PA
Location checked Gestational-carrier servicesSART memberCDC 2022: 145 ART cycles
Google Business Profile 4.4/5 as of May 30, 2026 · 3 references checked.
State law route
Pennsylvania surrogacy laws and planning route
Gestational Surrogacy is permitted because no statute or published case law prohibits it. In J.F.v.D.B.,897 A.2d1261 (2006), the Pennsylvania Superior Court struck down a trial court’s holdings that a... Use this page to separate public legal context from the counsel, clinic, and coordinator decisions that still need case-specific review.
Moderate state posture
Last updated October 8, 2025 Organization-reviewed
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Legal Review Team, Legal content review team on October 8, 2025.
On this page
What to confirm next
Before acting on Pennsylvania surrogacy law
Use this page to decide who should own the next step — your attorney, clinic, or coordinator.
Independent reproductive attorney
What must counsel confirm?
Confirm the Pennsylvania parentage path, compensation language, venue or residency assumptions, and required signatures before anyone treats a match as ready.
Read legal summaryClinic and screening team
What must the clinic confirm?
Confirm medical clearance, transfer timing, records, monitoring logistics, psychological review, and any clinic-specific requirements before calendars are locked.
Review requirementsPatriot coordination
What should be routed next?
Map state fit, provider handoffs, escrow and insurance timing, travel burden, and whether the Pennsylvania route needs a backup jurisdiction.
Talk to our teamBefore you proceed
✓ Review Pennsylvania parentage order requirements with your attorney.
✓ Confirm your gestational carrier agreement complies with current statutes.
✓ Align medical clinic milestones with legal filing timelines to prevent delays.
Legal summary
The Pennsylvania law, section by section
Category
Moderate
Gestational Surrogacy
Permitted. No statute or published case law prohibits it. In J.F. v. D.B. (2006), the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that a surrogacy contract is not contrary to public policy and that the gestational carrier is not the legal mother. Application of surrogacy law can vary greatly by county and sometimes by judge, particularly when donors are involved.
Traditional Surrogacy
Permitted because no statute or published case law prohibits it. If the traditional surrogate is unmarried, the biological father can establish paternity by filing a Joint Acknowledgement of Paternity with the surrogate. If the traditional surrogate is married, a paternity proceeding may be necessary to establish the biological father as the legal father. A subsequent second-parent adoption will be necessary to establish the spouse or partner as the second legal parent. Alternatively, intended parents can opt for a post-birth adoption for both parents.
Pre-Birth Parentage Orders
Pending bill to allow pre-birth orders. Department of Health has to approve all pleadings and must sign off on them (which takes at least 30 days from the date pleadings are sent to them to be reviewed).
Venue
Venue can be based on the county of the gestational carrier’s residence, the intended parents’ residence, or the child’s birthplace.
Hearing Requirements
Not all counties require hearings; some may leave it to the discretion of the judge.
Same-Sex Couples
Birth certificate naming: same-sex parents can be listed as Mother/Parent and Father/Parent on the final birth certificate. International same-sex male couples may initially have the biological father and gestational carrier listed on the birth certificate but can later request to have only the biological father or both fathers listed. A non-biological parent cannot automatically obtain a second-parent adoption based solely on the child being born in Pennsylvania; it is up to the court’s discretion. Pennsylvania Vital Records will honor a valid second-parent adoption order from another state and add the second parent to the birth certificate.
Birth Certificate Timing
Varies by county
Recognition of Out-of-State Orders
Pending bill to honor out-of-state court orders.
Legal Resource
- Kathleen A. DeLisle, Esq. The Fertility Law Center P.C.** https://www.fertilitylawcenter.com
Primary source
Pennsylvania source used for this summary
This summary is based on the primary source listed for Pennsylvania. Confirm your situation with a reproductive attorney licensed in that state.
SourceKathleen A. DeLisle, Esq
Agency guidance · Accessed May 31, 2026
Partner with our legal network
We coordinate with reproductive law specialists who draft enforceable agreements tailored to your family plan.
✓Attorney-matched guidance for intended parents, carriers, and donors.
✓Jurisdiction-specific contract language aligned with recent case law.
✓Coordination with clinics to secure parentage orders without delays.
Clinic layer
Fertility clinics in Pennsylvania
The law sets the parentage route. The clinic sets medical clearance, transfer timing, and monitoring — so both calendars have to be planned together. These are public Atlas profiles, not recommendations.
3 Pennsylvania clinic profiles
Mars, PA
Location checked
Google Business Profile 4.8/5 as of May 30, 2026 · 2 references checked.
Danville, PA
Location checked
Google Business Profile 5/5 as of May 30, 2026 · 2 references checked.
Showing 1–3 of 3 published Pennsylvania clinic profiles, ordered by how complete each public record is.
Atlas clinic facts reviewed June 2, 2026. Patriot does not rank or endorse clinics — each profile links to its own public sources and a correction path. Confirm screening, transfer timing, and carrier requirements with the clinic directly.
Funds custody
How escrow works in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 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.
✓IOLTA-ready escrow, AES-256 encryption, full audit trail.
✓SOC 2 practices.
✓99.98% receipt match rate, 2-second average payout.
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.
Need legal guidance?
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 SurrogateLearn + resources
Planning surrogacy in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania before you act on any detail here.
State law route
Pennsylvania surrogacy laws and planning route
Gestational Surrogacy is permitted because no statute or published case law prohibits it. In J.F.v.D.B.,897 A.2d1261 (2006), the Pennsylvania Superior Court struck down a trial court’s holdings that a... Use this page to separate public legal context from the counsel, clinic, and coordinator decisions that still need case-specific review.
Moderate state posture
Last updated October 8, 2025 Organization-reviewed
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Legal Review Team, Legal content review team on October 8, 2025.
State snapshot
- Legal Status
- No specific surrogacy legislation. A bill is pending.
- Pre-Birth Orders
- Available
- Compensated Surrogacy
- Permitted
- Residency Requirement
- Required
What to confirm next
Before acting on Pennsylvania surrogacy law
Use this page to decide who should own the next step — your attorney, clinic, or coordinator.
Independent reproductive attorney
What must counsel confirm?
Confirm the Pennsylvania parentage path, compensation language, venue or residency assumptions, and required signatures before anyone treats a match as ready.
Read legal summaryClinic and screening team
What must the clinic confirm?
Confirm medical clearance, transfer timing, records, monitoring logistics, psychological review, and any clinic-specific requirements before calendars are locked.
Review requirementsPatriot coordination
What should be routed next?
Map state fit, provider handoffs, escrow and insurance timing, travel burden, and whether the Pennsylvania route needs a backup jurisdiction.
Talk to our teamBefore you proceed
✓ Review Pennsylvania parentage order requirements with your attorney.
✓ Confirm your gestational carrier agreement complies with current statutes.
✓ Align medical clinic milestones with legal filing timelines to prevent delays.
Legal summary
The Pennsylvania law, section by section
Category
Moderate
Gestational Surrogacy
Permitted. No statute or published case law prohibits it. In J.F. v. D.B. (2006), the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that a surrogacy contract is not contrary to public policy and that the gestational carrier is not the legal mother. Application of surrogacy law can vary greatly by county and sometimes by judge, particularly when donors are involved.
Traditional Surrogacy
Permitted because no statute or published case law prohibits it. If the traditional surrogate is unmarried, the biological father can establish paternity by filing a Joint Acknowledgement of Paternity with the surrogate. If the traditional surrogate is married, a paternity proceeding may be necessary to establish the biological father as the legal father. A subsequent second-parent adoption will be necessary to establish the spouse or partner as the second legal parent. Alternatively, intended parents can opt for a post-birth adoption for both parents.
Pre-Birth Parentage Orders
Pending bill to allow pre-birth orders. Department of Health has to approve all pleadings and must sign off on them (which takes at least 30 days from the date pleadings are sent to them to be reviewed).
Venue
Venue can be based on the county of the gestational carrier’s residence, the intended parents’ residence, or the child’s birthplace.
Hearing Requirements
Not all counties require hearings; some may leave it to the discretion of the judge.
Same-Sex Couples
Birth certificate naming: same-sex parents can be listed as Mother/Parent and Father/Parent on the final birth certificate. International same-sex male couples may initially have the biological father and gestational carrier listed on the birth certificate but can later request to have only the biological father or both fathers listed. A non-biological parent cannot automatically obtain a second-parent adoption based solely on the child being born in Pennsylvania; it is up to the court’s discretion. Pennsylvania Vital Records will honor a valid second-parent adoption order from another state and add the second parent to the birth certificate.
Birth Certificate Timing
Varies by county
Recognition of Out-of-State Orders
Pending bill to honor out-of-state court orders.
Legal Resource
- Kathleen A. DeLisle, Esq. The Fertility Law Center P.C.** https://www.fertilitylawcenter.com
Primary source
Pennsylvania source used for this summary
Based on the primary source listed for Pennsylvania. Confirm your situation with a reproductive attorney licensed in that state.
Source Kathleen A. DeLisle, EsqAgency guidance · Accessed May 31, 2026
Partner with our legal network
We coordinate with reproductive law specialists who draft enforceable agreements tailored to your family plan.
✓Attorney-matched guidance for intended parents, carriers, and donors.
✓Jurisdiction-specific contract language aligned with recent case law.
✓Coordination with clinics to secure parentage orders without delays.
Clinic layer
Fertility clinics in Pennsylvania
The law sets the parentage route. The clinic sets medical clearance, transfer timing, and monitoring — so both calendars have to be planned together. These are public Atlas profiles, not recommendations.
3
Pennsylvania clinic profiles
Family Fertility Center
Bethlehem, PA
Location checked Gestational-carrier servicesSART memberCDC 2022: 145 ART cycles
Google Business Profile 4.4/5 as of May 30, 2026 · 3 references checked.
Radiance Fertility
Mars, PA
Location checked
Google Business Profile 4.8/5 as of May 30, 2026 · 2 references checked.
Geisinger Medical Center Fertility Center
Danville, PA
Location checked
Google Business Profile 5/5 as of May 30, 2026 · 2 references checked.
Showing 1–3 of 3 published Pennsylvania clinic profiles, ordered by how complete each public record is.
Atlas clinic facts reviewed June 2, 2026. Patriot does not rank or endorse clinics — each profile links to its own public sources and a correction path. Confirm screening, transfer timing, and carrier requirements with the clinic directly.
Funds custody
How escrow works in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 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.
✓IOLTA-ready escrow, AES-256 encryption, full audit trail.
✓SOC 2 practices.
✓99.98% receipt match rate, 2-second average payout.
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.
Learn + Resources
Planning surrogacy in Pennsylvania?
Move from legal research into the next decision pages: requirements, cost planning, agency comparison, and a live conversation with the team.