If you’ve come to this article, you’re probably looking to learn more about Florida surrogacy. How does it work? What do you need to get started?
We know the process of surrogacy in Florida can be confusing, especially if this is your first foray into this family-building journey. Fortunately, we’ve got the answers and guidance you’re looking for. Whether you’re an intended parent or hopeful surrogate, you can learn all you need about the surrogacy process in Florida below.
American Surrogacy can guide you through it all with the experience and professionalism you’re looking for. When you work with us, the Florida surrogacy process doesn’t have to be scary; it can make all of your dreams come true.
You may still have some questions after reading this guide. That’s totally normal — and even encouraged! To learn more about surrogacy in Florida with our agency at any time, go ahead and contact a specialist through our informational form.
The 7 Steps of the Surrogacy Process in Florida
Every surrogacy journey is different. But, when you work with American Surrogacy, there are a few common steps you’ll go through. Whether you’re wondering how to become a surrogate or how to have a baby through surrogacy in Florida, here’s what you can expect.
Step 1: Decide surrogacy is right for you.
While gestational surrogacy is a beautiful journey, it’s not the right one for everyone. The process of surrogacy in Florida requires a great deal of time and energy. American Surrogacy wants you to be 100% confident in your decision before you even get started. So, we’re happy to answer whatever questions you have when you call us at 1-800-875-BABY(2229).
We’ll talk about how surrogacy works in Florida, what requirements you’ll have to meet, and other important aspects to help you understand this family-building process. We are also happy to talk about adoption vs. surrogacy in Florida, if you’re an intended parent, and refer you to our sister agency, American Adoptions, if you decide the former is best for you.
Above all else, remember that you should never rush into surrogacy procedures in Florida until you’re confident it’s the right path for you.
Step 2: Choose a surrogacy professional and create a surrogacy plan.
By coming to this page, you’re already one step closer to completing the surrogacy process in Florida. Should you decide to work with American Surrogacy, you’ll have our guidance and experience through every step of the journey.
To start, we’ll help you create a plan for your Florida surrogacy. This will detail your preferences for the upcoming journey, including:
- What kind of surrogate or intended parent you’d like to work with
- Whether you prefer an in-state or interstate surrogacy match
- Your budget or desired compensation rate
- Your expected timeline
- And more
Your surrogacy plan will be your roadmap moving forward. Don’t worry — lots of our clients are new to the Florida surrogacy process, so your specialist will guide you as you create this plan together.
You will always be the one in ultimate control of how your surrogacy journey proceeds. We will be there to make it happen.
Step 3: Complete your pre-surrogacy screening.
Before you can find the surrogate or intended parent(s) you will partner with for your journey, you must first meet some important pre-surrogacy requirements. Here at American Surrogacy, our goal is to provide the safest Florida surrogacy process possible. That means ensuring all of our intended parents and gestational carriers are prepared for the challenges and joys ahead of them.
You’ll have met our basic requirements before being accepted to our agency, but you’ll also need to undergo additional screenings before moving forward. Typically, these include medical and psychological screenings to confirm you are 100 percent mentally, physically and emotionally ready to move forward with your Florida surrogacy process.
Step 4: Find an intended parent or gestational carrier.
Once we’ve confirmed your eligibility, we can move forward with one of the most exciting steps — finding your surrogacy partner! We pride ourselves on creating partnerships that are genuine and long-lasting. In fact, many of our intended parents and surrogates remain close friends for years after their surrogacy journeys are complete.
Our agency’s matching process is mutual, which means you get a say in who your intended parent or gestational carrier is. You can choose characteristics like:
- Where they live
- Their medical history
- What kind of relationship they are comfortable with
- And more
These preferences are usually determined in your surrogacy plan, and we’ll use them to locate a pre-screened and pre-approved match. We regularly maintain lists of waiting surrogates and intended parents but, if one of our waiting clients doesn’t match your preferences, we will employ our extended network of surrogacy professionals to find the perfect partner for you.
If you and a prospective partner show mutual interest, we will set up an introductory conference call, mediated by your specialist. You will have the chance to ask additional questions and feel out a potential relationship before committing. If you both are ready to move forward, we’ll start the next step in your Florida surrogacy process!
Step 5: Create a surrogacy contract.
Even if you have a great relationship with your surrogacy partner, you must always finalize it with a legal surrogacy contract before any further steps can be taken. (A surrogate will also complete additional screening before a legal contract can be drafted.)
American Surrogacy will help you and your partner connect with separate attorneys, who will represent you during this stage. With their help, you and your partner will create a legal contract that meets both of your preferences and addresses details such as:
- Responsibilities and expectations
- Risks and liabilities
- Sensitive topics (such as selective reduction and termination)
- Surrogate compensation
- Parental orders
- And more
This legal contract must be completed and finalized before the medical process of surrogacy in Florida can begin. In fact, a fertility clinic will often require a signed copy of the contract before embryo transfer can take place.
Step 6: Complete the medical process of surrogacy.
At American Surrogacy, we only guide clients through gestational surrogacies. Therefore, whether or not intended parents are using gamete donations, the surrogate is never related to the baby that she carries.
However, to prepare for the eventual embryo transfer, a prospective surrogate will need to take certain fertility medication (as determined by the intended parents’ fertility clinic). Once her body is ready, their embryo will be implanted in her uterus. And, once a healthy pregnancy is confirmed, she will be able to receive her prenatal care from her local obstetrician.
All of a surrogate’s medical costs during her Florida surrogacy process will be covered by the intended parents. She will get to choose the hospital at which she delivers, and she will work with the intended parents to come up with a delivery plan that meets both of their preferences. Many parents are able to be present for their child’s birth, and it’s an experience that both parties treasure forever.
Step 7: Finalize your surrogacy process in Florida.
Just because the baby is born doesn’t mean that your Florida surrogacy process is complete. Your specialist and attorney will be in close contact with you during delivery and before discharge to complete any necessary legal steps and send in any additional documentation. A surrogate will also receive her final compensation payment at this point.
At this point, the Florida surrogacy process will be complete! But American Surrogacy will always be there for you moving forward — whether that’s to answer any last questions about your journey, provide assistance for your relationship moving forward, or simply to be a source of support. We know surrogacy is a lifelong journey, and that’s why we’re committed to our clients long after the pregnancy is complete.
Want to learn more about how surrogacy works in Florida? Give us a call anytime at 1-800-875-BABY(2229) or contact us online today. We’ll be happy to hear from you.