Understanding Parentage Orders & Contracts

Every surrogacy journey begins with love — but it must also begin with law.
Parentage orders and contracts are the legal backbone of every surrogacy arrangement, ensuring clarity, fairness, and protection for everyone involved.

What Is a Parentage Order?

A parentage order is a court-issued document that names the intended parents as the baby’s legal parents.
It guarantees that their names appear on the birth certificate — not the surrogate’s.

There are two main types:

• Pre-Birth Orders: Completed before delivery (common in CA, NY, IL).
• Post-Birth Orders: Filed shortly after birth (common in Canada).

What’s Inside a Surrogacy Contract

A surrogacy contract covers:

• Rights and obligations of all parties
• Medical decision-making authority
• Financial reimbursements and insurance coverage
• Delivery arrangements
• Emotional and psychological expectations

Both sides must have independent legal representation to ensure the agreement is voluntary and fair.

Legal Steps Simplified

1. Draft agreement → 2. Independent review → 3. Signature → 4. Court filing → 5. Parentage order issued.

At Surrogacy4All, our attorneys coordinate all five steps so no parent ever feels lost in paperwork.

Quote from Legal Counsel

“A clear contract isn’t just legal paperwork — it’s emotional peace of mind. It protects your dream and honors your surrogate.”
— Marissa Cohen, Esq., Reproductive Law Partner, Surrogacy4All