Surrogacy Law

Surrogacy—a method of assisted reproduction where intended parents work with a gestational surrogate who will carry and care for their baby(ies) until birth—is a process that requires both medical and legal expertise. 

Drafting surrogacy law contracts is an important step in the surrogacy process. These surrogacy contacts will only cover the relationship between the surrogate and the intended parents, but it also talks in detail about the financial obligations of each individual named in the contract. Pendergast offers free consultations for fertility cases.

North American Surrogacy Center

The North American Surrogacy Center specializes in Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy services. They’re responsible for managing and coordinating all medical, legal, and financial components of the surrogacy process while providing emotional and informational support for both the intended parents and surrogates. The agency is a part of a wide network of medical and legal professionals experienced in all aspects of the surrogacy process. 

The Process

First, North American Surrogacy Center’s program director, Isolina Pendergast, will contact you to discuss your options. Your program will be decided on based on various factors such as medical, legal, and financial needs. Once the client decides to move forward with the surrogacy program, an agreement will be drafted retaining North American to represent them in their surrogacy journey.


Surrogate Matching

Clients will be asked to complete and return parent profiles, retainer agreements, and medical and criminal release forms. Intended parents will then be interviewed to find out certain characteristics the intended parents desire in a potential surrogate. Based on this information, the center will start the matching process.

Signing of Contracts

Upon both parties’ agreement, the center’s legal staff will begin drafting the surrogacy contract. If all parties agree to the terms of the contract, they will be signed and copies will be sent to Northern American. Once contracts are signed, the surrogate will begin medical and psychological evaluations. 

Fertility Process

Following the successful screening of the surrogate, she will then begin the fertility procedures in accordance with the surrogacy agreement. In cases of artificial insemination, the center recommends that the surrogate undergoes a minimum of six attempts; in cases of IVF, they suggest at least three attempts.