Surrogacy By State

The 6 Steps of the Georgia Surrogacy Process


Key Points:
  • Learn the 6 steps of the Georgia surrogacy process for parents and surrogates.
  • Discover steps to matching, the legal process and more.
  • Get started on your own surrogacy process in Georgia by contacting a surrogacy specialist today.

When you first set out on the process of surrogacy in Georgia, either as a hopeful parent or a potential surrogate, the amount of information can feel overwhelming. But there are six core steps to the Georgia surrogacy process to focus on and understand.

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This guide will break down those steps so you can move forward with your surrogacy process in Georgia with confidence:

The 6 Steps of the Georgia Surrogacy Process

If you’re thinking about pursuing surrogacy in Georgia, you should first learn about the legal, emotional and practical implications of this type of family-building. Everyone’s experience with surrogacy is unique and no two journeys are alike, but for most people, the process will look something like this:

Step 1: Decide if You’re Ready to Commit to Surrogacy

This isn’t going to be the right fit for everyone. But is Georgia surrogacy right for you? Start by educating yourself about the process of surrogacy in Georgia. It’s a good place to start.

The GA surrogacy process takes about a year, typically more. During that time, you’ll need to fully dedicate yourself to the process. There are legal, emotional and physical processes involved, and they can be complex. Your whole family will be part of those processes, so they’ll need to support your choice.

You should also be certain of your motivations for choosing surrogacy in GA. Doing it for the right reasons is the key to a successful and positive experience.

Step 2:  Choose Which Method of Surrogacy You Want and Which Professional You’ll Work With

When you’re sure that you’re ready to move forward with Georgia surrogacy, the next step you’ll take is to learn about the two types of surrogacy:

  • Traditional surrogacy: Very few professionals in the U.S. will complete this type of surrogacy. That’s because traditional surrogates are the biological mothers of the baby, leading to increased legal and emotional risks. While legal in Georgia, it’s not commonly practiced.
  • Gestational surrogacy: Considered legal in Georgia and the more popular type of surrogacy, gestational surrogacy is usually the preferred method. Gestational surrogates (also called carriers) are not biologically related to the baby. Embryos are created through IVF using egg and sperm of intended parents or donors and then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus to be carried. Pre-birth orders are fairly easy to obtain in Georgia, securing the legal rights of intended parents.

You’ll also need to choose between two different types of professionals. You should always work with an experienced surrogacy professional, for your safety as well as the safety of everyone else involved, especially the baby. Your options are:

  • A surrogacy agency or program: These professionals are able to handle most, if not all, of the services that you’ll need throughout the Georgia surrogacy process. That includes screening, matching, counseling, case management and more. They also serve as a single point of contact.
  • A surrogacy attorney: These family-building attorneys handle the legal side of surrogacy in Georgia, and while they may not be able to provide other services like matching or counseling, they’ll usually be able to refer you to a professional who can provide those services.

Step 3: Match with Your Surrogacy Partner

The most important consideration when matching with an intended parent or surrogate is that you share the same surrogacy goals and that you feel a positive connection. So, you don’t need to match with someone who lives in Georgia — your surrogacy partner can live anywhere. Long-distance matches are common.

There are several ways you can find the ideal match for your Georgia surrogacy process:

  • Partner with someone you know: Many people choose surrogacy in GA because they already have a personal connection to someone who is willing to be their surrogate, or who they want to help have a baby. In this scenario, you’ll simply need to contact a surrogacy professional to get started. They’ll help you complete the legal process prior to beginning the medical stage. Both parties will need to be verified as eligible before you can start the process of surrogacy in Georgia.
  • Match through a surrogacy agency: If you don’t already have a surrogacy partner, surrogacy agencies will help you match with someone who fits what you’re looking for. They’ll show you profiles of pre-screened people that you could potentially partner with and help you get to know one another.
  • Search on your own: If you’re pursuing Georgia surrogacy independently without the guidance of a professional, you’ll be responsible for screening any potential matches. You should always use caution, as you may be at an increased risk for scams. Searches can be conducted online or through personal connections.

DID YOU KNOW?

Our partners at American Surrogacy match parents and surrogates in as little as 30 days, letting you reach your surrogacy goals faster than other agencies.

Step 4: Complete the Legal Process for Surrogacy in Georgia

When you’ve found your match and you’re both ready to begin the Georgia surrogacy process, you’ll next need to complete the legal process before you can take any medical actions. Intended parents and surrogates should always be individually represented to ensure that both parties are fairly advocated for.

A surrogacy attorney can guide you through the Georgia legal process, help you establish your surrogacy contract, file pre-birth parentage orders and more. There are no Georgia surrogacy laws, but you’ll still need to work with an experienced attorney to make sure that everyone is protected throughout the process.

Once the contract is finalized, you can move on to the medical stage of surrogacy in GA.

Step 5: Complete the Medical Process of Surrogacy in GA

Before a gestational surrogate in GA can begin a surrogacy journey, she must first meet the health requirements established by her professionals. Those requirements are there to make sure that surrogates are healthy enough to handle the physical processes of surrogacy in Georgia, which include fertility medications, hormones, embryo transfers, and of course, childbirth.

Embryo transfers are typically coordinated with the intended parents’ fertility clinic, so surrogates who don’t live near the intended parents may need to travel for a couple key appointments. It can sometimes take several cycles of transfers for a healthy pregnancy to be established, but when a doctor has confirmed a pregnancy as being stable, surrogates can go to their preferred OB-GYN for routine prenatal care.

Throughout the rest of the pregnancy, surrogates and intended parents can enjoy the Georgia surrogacy process together and keep in contact in anticipation of the big day.

Step 6: Welcome the Baby

A surrogacy birth is a unique and special experience that intended parents and surrogates like to share together. Leading up to the baby’s arrival, surrogates and parents will often make plans to be together for the labor, including travel plans for the intended parents, if necessary.

When the baby arrives, the Georgia surrogacy process is complete — and both parties can go forward in their lives with a new lifelong connection and friendship.

Want to learn more about becoming a parent through surrogacy in Georgia? Interested in helping someone else by becoming a surrogate mother in GA? Contact a surrogacy professional now, and they’ll get you the information you need to begin your Georgia surrogacy process today.

Male and Female couple smiling with surrogate mother
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