Women who want to become surrogates and parents who want to grow their families via surrogacy can fulfill these dreams in Washington.
But, before starting your Washington surrogacy journey, it’s essential to know Washington’s surrogacy laws. These laws can make surrogacy slightly more challenging to pursue, but surrogacy can still be possible for you.
With the help of a surrogacy agency, surrogacy specialist, and surrogacy attorney, you can safely complete a successful surrogacy.
You can contact us today if you’re ready to start your Washington surrogacy journey. But, if you want to learn more about how surrogacy in Washington works, this guide can help.
What is Surrogacy in Washington?
Surrogacy in Washington involves intended parents and a surrogate mother.
- Intended parents and surrogacy in Washington: Intended parents are people who want to have a child through surrogacy.
- Surrogate mother and surrogacy in Washington: A surrogate mother (also known as a gestational carrier) will carry the intended parents’ baby.
Through surrogacy, a gestational carrier typically gets compensation for her compassionate service, and intended parents can fulfill their dreams of parenthood.
What is Gestational Surrogacy in Washington?
Gestational surrogacy is when a surrogate carries a baby she isn’t related to. Gestational surrogacy is the most common type of modern surrogacy because:
- It’s less legally and emotionally complicated than traditional surrogacy.
- The surrogate mother is not related to the baby.
- Surrogacy agencies in Washington can assist you during and after this process and connect you with other surrogate professionals. This is especially important in this state because of its surrogacy regulations.
Surrogacy Laws in Washington
Although surrogacy is legal in Washington for surrogates and intended parents, the surrogacy process is regulated.
The only kind of surrogacy that’s legal in Washington is altruistic surrogacy. So, a surrogate cannot receive compensation for her services. But, a surrogate still does not have to pay for their:
- Surrogacy fees
- Pregnancy costs
- Medical needs
- Legal help
Intended parents also should be aware of Washington’s unique laws:
- Intended parents cannot get a pre-birth order
- There are regulations concerning who can get a post-birth order vs. adoption
The best way to have a successful surrogacy in Washington is to work with a knowledgeable surrogacy attorney and experienced agency.
What do Surrogacy Agencies in Washington do?
Surrogacy agencies in Washington are best equipped to help prospective intended parents and surrogates throughout their surrogacy journey. A surrogacy specialist and attorney can help you interpret the state’s challenging surrogacy laws.
In general, a surrogacy agency will help you through these essential surrogacy steps:
Step 1: Completing Your Surrogacy Screenings
Although many prospective surrogates worry about this part of their surrogacy journey, try not to. Your surrogacy professional is on your side and wants to see you succeed.
You can expect to go through a:
- Psychological screening
- Physical screening
- Medical screening
Step 2: Matching Services
Surrogacy agencies help intended parents and potential surrogate mothers find each other. Specialists help match people according to their preferences and needs. Once you “match,” you’ll have a phone conversation to determine it’s the right fit.
Step 3: Finding a Surrogacy Attorney
Both intended parents and surrogates will have their own surrogacy attorney to ensure their rights are protected in the surrogacy contract.
Step 4: Receiving Practical and Emotional Support
Surrogacy specialists can help intended parents and surrogates through the challenging and emotional aspects of the surrogacy journey.
Surrogacy Agencies in Washington you can Work With
If you’d like to contact a surrogacy agency in Washington today, here are a few you can consider:
How to Become a Surrogate in Washington
If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate, you’ve likely asked yourself, “How does surrogacy work,” and, “How do I become a surrogate in Washington?”
The steps toward surrogacy in Washington include:
- Deciding surrogacy is right for you
- Start to work with a surrogacy professional at a surrogacy agency
- Working with a surrogacy attorney to ensure everyone’s rights are protected, and the state’s laws are correctly followed
- Completing and passing surrogacy agency screenings
- Matching with intended parents
- Getting pregnant with the help of a fertility clinic
- Keeping in contact with the intended parents during the pregnancy
- Delivering the intended parents’ baby
- Going home and recovering while reflecting on the amazing gift you gave an intended family
If you have questions about these surrogacy steps, you can reach out to us today to learn more.
How Much do Surrogates get Paid in Washington?
Because commercial surrogacy isn’t allowed in Washington, we recommend speaking to a skilled surrogacy attorney to understand your rights in the state.
In general, though, there are two types of surrogacy:
Commercial Surrogacy
Commercial surrogacy, also known as compensated surrogacy, is when a surrogate gets paid for her time and energy. This is in addition to the compensation for all her surrogacy- and pregnancy-related expenses. Most first-time commercial surrogates get $45,000-$50,000. Sometimes, repeat surrogates receive more — even up to $75,000.
Altruistic Surrogacy
Altruistic surrogacy is when a surrogate mother waives her right to base compensation for her surrogacy services. But, it’s important to know that you never have to pay for your surrogacy- and pregnancy-related expenses. This is the only type of legal surrogacy you can pursue in Washington. Many women who choose to complete an unpaid surrogacy do so to help a friend or family member.
Surrogacy Fees for Intended Parents
The intended parents cover all a surrogate’s medical, pregnancy, and legal expenses.
Intended parents should expect to spend anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000. This covers:
- Agency and case management fees
- Surrogate fees
- Medical and legal fees
Next Steps Toward Surrogacy in Washington
If you are ready to start your surrogacy in Washington, reach out to us today.