{"id":672,"date":"2023-04-03T08:17:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T15:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/?p=672"},"modified":"2023-08-24T13:20:49","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T20:20:49","slug":"surrogacy-in-louisiana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking Surrogacy in Louisiana: Your Ultimate State-by-State Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div>\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#Surrogacy_Laws_in_Louisiana\" title=\"Surrogacy Laws in Louisiana\">Surrogacy Laws in Louisiana<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#Does_surrogacy_exist_in_Louisiana\" title=\"Does surrogacy exist in Louisiana? \">Does surrogacy exist in Louisiana? <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#Who_can_use_the_services_of_a_surrogate_in_Louisiana\" title=\"Who can use the services of a surrogate in Louisiana?\">Who can use the services of a surrogate in Louisiana?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#Reproductive_healthcare_considerations_for_pregnancies_in_Louisiana\" title=\"Reproductive healthcare: considerations for pregnancies in Louisiana\">Reproductive healthcare: considerations for pregnancies in Louisiana<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#I_really_want_to_be_an_altruistic_surrogate_in_Louisiana\" title=\"I really want to be an altruistic surrogate in Louisiana!\">I really want to be an altruistic surrogate in Louisiana!<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#Some_of_the_Louisiana-specific_and_general_guidelines\" title=\"Some of the Louisiana-specific and general guidelines:\">Some of the Louisiana-specific and general guidelines:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-louisiana\/#Independent_surrogacy_journeys_in_Louisiana\" title=\"Independent surrogacy journeys in Louisiana \">Independent surrogacy journeys in Louisiana <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Surrogacy_Laws_in_Louisiana\"><\/span><strong>Surrogacy Laws in Louisiana<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Simply put: Louisiana is absolutely not a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-friendly-states\/\">surrogacy-friendly<\/a> location. <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/gestational-surrogate\/\">Gestational surrogacy<\/a> is heavily restricted in the state and <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/traditional-surrogacy-vs-gestational-surrogacy\/\">traditional surrogacy<\/a> is banned outright. The laws exclude a majority of Louisiana families who could benefit from surrogacy and prevent surrogates from receiving fair <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/paid-surrogacy\/\">compensation<\/a> for their role. Most people living in the state will not be able to start or complete a journey locally.<\/p>\r\n<p>In Louisiana, surrogacy is limited to married heterosexual Intended Parents where the embryo is biologically related to both parents (i.e. egg and sperm donors are not permitted). Surrogacy must also be done altruistically meaning that no compensation for the surrogate is allowed. Both the Intended Parents and the surrogate must be residents of the state. This inherently excludes <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-international-parents\/\">International<\/a> Intended Parents.<\/p>\r\n<p>If that wasn\u2019t restrictive enough, Louisiana\u2019s surrogacy laws also regulate the <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-contracts-and-agreements\/\">surrogacy contracts<\/a> themselves. Surrogacy contracts must include language that no compensation for the surrogate is permitted and that requiring or recommending the termination of a fetus(es) for any reason including potential <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-parents-with-disabilities\/\">disabilities<\/a> or dire health consequences is prohibited. Surrogacy agreements must be signed by both Intended Parents and by the surrogate along with her spouse (if she is married). Additionally, a contract is only deemed enforceable if the court has approved the contract in advance of any embryo transfers.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you are a Louisiana resident interested in <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/telling-friends-and-family-about-surrogacy\/\">being a surrogate<\/a> for an <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/altruistic-surrogacy-vs-commercial-surrogacy\/\">altruistic<\/a> journey, that\u2019s truly an amazing selfless act &#8211; you are a very special person! Because of the restrictions in the state, however, Surrogacy Place does not currently allow surrogates who are residents of Louisiana to register for a profile on the site.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019d like more information on whether surrogacy is possible given the legal restrictions in the state, contact an Assisted Reproduction attorney in the state who can give you an honest assessment.<\/p>\r\n<p>Surrogacy Place has a <a href=\"https:\/\/my.surrogacyplace.com\/attorney\/directory\">list of attorneys<\/a> as a reference. If your state is not represented, you may wish to check back soon.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Please note: failure to comply with Louisiana\u2019s surrogacy regulations may result in fines and\/or up to 10 years imprisonment, so tread very careful. You will need an attorney to guide you.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_surrogacy_exist_in_Louisiana\"><\/span><strong>Does surrogacy exist in Louisiana? <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Yes, although it\u2019s challenging to find Intended Parents and surrogates who meet the restrictions put in place under state law.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_can_use_the_services_of_a_surrogate_in_Louisiana\"><\/span><strong>Who can use the services of a surrogate in Louisiana?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Surrogacy is restricted to married Intended Parents with both of their gametes being used to create the embryo. This means the biological <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogate-mother\/\">mother<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/rise-of-the-single-dad\/\">father<\/a> created an embryo and are also the ones seeking surrogacy services. They must <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-surrogate-mother\/\">find a surrogate<\/a> willing to do an uncompensated surrogacy journey as a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/gestational-carrier-requirements\/\">gestational carrier<\/a>. This is certainly a tall order.<\/p>\r\n<p>Courts in Louisiana are able to grant pre-birth orders to Intended Parents who meet the gestational surrogacy restrictions. Do note that Louisiana courts will not honor pre-birth orders from other states. If you\u2019re a Louisiana Intended Parent utilizing the services of a surrogate from another state, please note that you may have to complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-post-birth-arrangements\/\">post-birth<\/a> adoption, including in another state before returning home.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reproductive_healthcare_considerations_for_pregnancies_in_Louisiana\"><\/span><strong>Reproductive healthcare: considerations for pregnancies in Louisiana<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Abortion is illegal in Louisiana in nearly all circumstances. On paper, there\u2019s exceptions to save a pregnant woman\u2019s life or to prevent serious risk to her physical health, practically speaking most physicians do not want to risk a felony and over a decade in jail in making a judgement call. If you\u2019re considering an altruistic journey in Louisiana, you should discuss what to do if unexpected <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-pregnancy\/\">pregnancy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-risks-and-complications\/\">complications<\/a> arise including (if available) the option to travel to another state to receive care.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re a Louisiana resident interested in becoming a surrogate, it\u2019s highly illegal for Intended Parents to suggest or offer incentives for you to move to another state so that you can start a surrogacy journey on their behalf. For more information on who relocation for the sole purpose of surrogacy is ill advised speak to a licensed Assisted Reproduction attorney.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"I_really_want_to_be_an_altruistic_surrogate_in_Louisiana\"><\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1408 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without the expensive surrogacy fees. Signup with Surrogacy Place today.\" width=\"719\" height=\"374\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg 719w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1-300x156.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 719px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 719\/374;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1408\" src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without the expensive surrogacy fees. Signup with Surrogacy Place today.\" width=\"719\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg 719w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1-300x156.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a>I really want to be an altruistic surrogate in Louisiana!<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Amazing, but beyond making sure your Intended Parents meet the <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-eligibility-criteria\/\">requirements<\/a>, there are health requirements as well. Not everyone meets the medical standards for a high probability of a safe pregnancy. <a href=\"https:\/\/my.surrogacyplace.com\/quiz\">Our quiz<\/a> has some of the requirements surrogates in all states are usually expected to meet.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_of_the_Louisiana-specific_and_general_guidelines\"><\/span><strong>Some of the Louisiana-specific and general guidelines:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Surrogates must be between 25 and 35 years old.<\/li>\r\n<li>Must be a gestational carrier with both Intended Parents biologically related to the child(ren).<\/li>\r\n<li>Surrogates must have given birth to at least one child.<\/li>\r\n<li>Surrogates must certify in writing that she will relinquish all <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-and-legal-parentage\/\">parental rights<\/a> to any resulting children<\/li>\r\n<li>Surrogates are required to attend at least one post-birth counseling session and undergo a minimum of two counseling sessions with licensed mental health professionals.<\/li>\r\n<li>Surrogates should not have had prior pregnancy complications.<\/li>\r\n<li>Surrogates should not use recreational drugs or drink alcohol during pregnancy.<\/li>\r\n<li>In overall excellent health with a BMI under 32.<\/li>\r\n<li>Not receiving any financial assistance from the government including Section Housing and SNAP <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/benefits-of-surrogacy\/\">benefits<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you meet all the qualifications ostensibly do know that only a qualified clinic\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/a-to-z-guides\/what-is-a-reproductive-endocrinologist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Reproductive Endocrinologist<\/a> can evaluate prospective surrogates and their medical histories.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re interested in becoming a surrogate, we have some <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/\">general guidelines<\/a>, though Louisiana has many more restrictions than most states and interested surrogates need to keep that in mind.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Learn why many <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/independent-journeys\/\">surrogates prefer to match independently<\/a> broadly.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Independent_surrogacy_journeys_in_Louisiana\"><\/span><strong>Independent surrogacy journeys in Louisiana <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Agencies will not accept surrogates from Louisiana due to the heavy restrictions there. Nevertheless if you meet all the requirements, <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/affordable-surrogacy\/\">independent surrogacy<\/a> is technically possible. Unfortunately, Surrogacy Place does not allow Louisiana residents to sign up for surrogates on our platform. Intended Parents from Louisiana should consult their attorney on how to proceed including the possibility of meeting and matching with surrogates in other states.<\/p>\r\n<p>Intended Parents who would like to make a profile to match with surrogates in other states, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\">register here<\/a>. Please consult with an attorney before proceeding, however,<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re new to surrogacy, here\u2019s some <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/how-much-does-surrogacy-cost\/\">expected surrogacy costs<\/a> Intended Parents usually pay for their journey, though our guide is meant for compensated surrogacy not altruistic-only surrogacy as is exclusively practiced in Louisiana.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Looking for info on a more surrogacy-friendly state? Explore our <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/category\/surrogacy-by-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/category\/surrogacy-by-state\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1679506863521000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1cK5Ueelqny31h6Imq0xo2\">Surrogacy Place state-by-state<\/a> directory!<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1409 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without an agency - signup for Surrogacy Place's online surrogacy matching program now\" width=\"754\" height=\"203\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg 754w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2-300x81.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 754px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 754\/203;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1409\" src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without an agency - signup for Surrogacy Place's online surrogacy matching program now\" width=\"754\" height=\"203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg 754w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2-300x81.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Surrogacy Laws in Louisiana Simply put: Louisiana is absolutely not a surrogacy-friendly location. Gestational surrogacy is heavily restricted in the state and traditional surrogacy is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,5,54],"tags":[19,20,21,25,31,32,33,35,38,72,42,44,45,48,49],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}