Is Surrogacy Legal in Florida?

Surrogacy Law in Florida

Florida Surrogacy Law: Types of Surrogacy

In Florida, gestational surrogacy is permitted by Section 742.15, Fla. Stat. Gestational Surrogacy Agreements are only permitted if the Intended Parents are a married couple with one member of the couple being genetically related to the child. Other intended parents (such as single people or unmarried couples) can participate in surrogacy in Florida, through the execution of a Preplanned Adoption Agreement. Preplanned Adoption Agreements are similar to Gestational Surrogacy Agreements, but there are certain nuances and differences.

Traditional (genetic) surrogacy in Florida is also permitted in the form of a Preplanned Adoption Agreement from a “volunteer mother.” Unlike gestational surrogacy, these sorts of agreements are permitted for intended parents of all marital statuses. However, a traditional surrogate’s consent is revocable for up to 48 hours after birth, due to her genetic connection to the child.

Are There Surrogate Requirements in Florida?

No specific legal requirements exist to serve as a gestational surrogate in the state of Florida.

Does Florida Surrogacy Law Allow for Pre-Birth Orders?

Although, Pre-birth orders can be done in the state of Florida to direct the hospital, it does not establish parentage order within the state of Florida. Under the statute, parentage orders are done post birth.

Parentage Orders: Pre-birth orders that require that the hospital place the Intended Parents’ names on the birth certificate are not generally granted to intended parents in Florida. Vital Statistics does not list intended parents on a birth certificate until after a child is born and a Final Judgment of Affirmation of Parental Status is entered by the Court and provided to Vital Statistics by Intended Parents’ attorney. Occasionally, interim pre-birth orders are issued to allow intended parents to make medical decisions for a child.

For pre-birth orders, the conditions under which intended parents can be declared legal parents if at least one parent is genetically related to the child are listed below. Please note these pre-birth orders will not get the Intended Parents’ names on the birth record at birth, and a post-birth process must be followed in order for the birth record to be amended:

Yes

Married heterosexual couples, using their own egg and own sperm
Married heterosexual couples, using an egg or sperm donor
Married same sex couples, using a sperm or egg donor
Single parent using own egg or sperm

No

Unmarried heterosexual couples, using their own egg and own sperm*
Unmarried heterosexual couple using an egg or sperm donor*
Unmarried same sex couples, using a sperm or egg donor*

*If interested in surrogacy in Florida, these intended parents should consider a pre-planned adoption under Chapter 63

For pre-birth orders, the conditions under which intended parents can be declared legal parents if neither parent is genetically related to the child are listed below. Please note these pre-birth orders will not get the Intended Parents’ names on the birth record at birth, and a post-birth process must be followed in order for the birth record to be amended:

Yes

n/a

No

Married heterosexual couples
Unmarried heterosexual couples
Married same sex couples
Unmarried same sex couples
Single parent

Whose names go on the birth certificate in Florida?

Currently, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics requires an initial birth certificate application be completed by the hospital immediately following the child’s birth, which lists the surrogate as the child’s birth mother. However, it should also include the name of the intended parents. Upon entering the Final Order affirming parental status, the court will direct the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics to amend the child’s birth certificate and the birth record to list the intended parents as the mother/parent and father/parent of the child. At this point, all surrogate’s information will be deleted from the birth record and a birth certificate will immediately be issued, which usually takes about three weeks to process. Same-sex couples will be named as “mother/parent” and “father/parent.”

Surrogacy Conditions for Same-Sex Couples in Florida

A married same sex couple can engage a gestational surrogate pursuant to Section 742.15, Fla. Stat., utilizing a Gestational Surrogacy Agreement. Through the court procedure, it is possible to obtain a birth certificate naming both fathers, or only one father. An unmarried same sex couple can also pursue surrogacy through a Preplanned Adoption Agreement.

Are There Options for Unmarried Intended Parents in the state of Florida?

Florida surrogacy laws permit singles and unmarried couples to form a Pre-Planned Adoption Agreement, governed by Florida Statute 63.213. It is similar to a gestational surrogacy contract but is handled under different Florida laws. Additionally, the court proceeding to remove the surrogate as the legal parent and name the intended parents as the legal parents takes place after the child’s birth.

Egg Donation Law

Ch.742.14 FL Stat. governs the donation of eggs, sperm, and pre-embryos, and states that once a donor donates, the donor has no parental rights or interest over the donated gametes, or any child born from the donation.

State law information verified by the following (ART) Assisted Reproductive Law attorney licensed in Florida*

Karen Persis, Esq.
Karen Persis, P.A.
1415 E. Robinson Street, Suite C
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.228.2864
Fax: 407.900.2257

www.karenpersis.com

* This information is for general informational purposes only and is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. We strongly recommend retaining legal counsel, knowledgeable of reproductive law in the state.

Is Surrogacy Legal in Florida?

Surrogacy Law in Florida

Florida Surrogacy Law: Types of Surrogacy

Are There Surrogate Requirements in Florida?

Does Florida Surrogacy Law Allow for Pre-Birth Orders?

Yes

No

No

Whose names go on the birth certificate in Florida?

Surrogacy Conditions for Same-Sex Couples in Florida

Are There Options for Unmarried Intended Parents in the state of Florida?

Egg Donation Law

State law information verified by the following (ART) Assisted Reproductive Law attorney licensed in Florida*

* This information is for general informational purposes only and is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. We strongly recommend retaining legal counsel, knowledgeable of reproductive law in the state.

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