{"id":873,"date":"2023-05-04T14:13:30","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T21:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/?p=873"},"modified":"2023-08-16T12:56:47","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T19:56:47","slug":"surrogacy-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Surrogacy in Virginia: The Ultimate State-by-State Guide to Family Expansion"},"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-virginia\/#State-by-State_Surrogacy_Laws_Surrogacy_in_Virginia\" title=\"State-by-State Surrogacy Laws: Surrogacy in Virginia\">State-by-State Surrogacy Laws: Surrogacy in Virginia<\/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-virginia\/#Is_compensated_surrogacy_allowed_in_Virginia\" title=\"Is compensated surrogacy allowed in Virginia? \">Is compensated surrogacy allowed in Virginia? <\/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-virginia\/#Can_Intended_Parents_and_surrogates_do_a_surrogacy_journey_without_an_agency_in_Virginia\" title=\"Can Intended Parents and surrogates do a surrogacy journey without an agency in Virginia?\">Can Intended Parents and surrogates do a surrogacy journey without an agency in Virginia?<\/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-virginia\/#Who_can_become_an_Intended_Parent_in_Virginia\" title=\"Who can become an Intended Parent in Virginia? \">Who can become an Intended Parent in Virginia? <\/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-virginia\/#How_do_I_become_a_surrogate_in_Virginia\" title=\"How do I become a surrogate in Virginia?\">How do I become a surrogate in Virginia?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-in-virginia\/#Finding_a_Surrogate_Finding_an_Intended_Parent\" title=\"Finding a Surrogate \/ Finding an Intended Parent\">Finding a Surrogate \/ Finding an Intended Parent<\/a><\/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-virginia\/#What_are_some_of_the_advantages_of_doing_an_independent_journey\" title=\"What are some of the advantages of doing an independent journey?\">What are some of the advantages of doing an independent journey?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"State-by-State_Surrogacy_Laws_Surrogacy_in_Virginia\"><\/span><strong>State-by-State Surrogacy Laws: Surrogacy in Virginia<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Virginia has complex laws with respect to surrogacy as outlined in the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title20\/chapter9\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Status of Children of Assisted Conception Act<\/a>.<\/em> Intended Parents who follow the stipulations included in the <em>Act<\/em> must meet a host of qualifications and restrictions including that they be married or be a single individual (unmarried partnerships do not qualify), that the surrogacy journey is <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/altruistic-surrogacy-vs-commercial-surrogacy\/\">altruistic<\/a> (non-compensated except for basic living\/medical expenses), and undergo an arduous process including a home study and court hearing. Nearly all Intended Parents using Virginia-based surrogates will choose to go the alternative route of waiting until after the birth of their child(ren) to procure a birth certificate amendment via a <a href=\"https:\/\/lis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+SB135ER+pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Surrogate Consent and Report form<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Pre-birth and <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-post-birth-arrangements\/\">post birth<\/a> orders which are available in most other states are unavailable in Virginia. Intended Parents must either use the court-approved process as outlined in <a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title20\/chapter9\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the <em>Status of Children of Assisted Conception Act<\/em><\/a> or seek to amend their child\u2019s birth certificate 3 days postpartum. The later process is also arduous and must include <a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title20\/chapter9\/section20-162\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evidence of the Intended Parents legal custody of the implanted embryo<\/a> (as certified by a physician).<\/p>\r\n<p>Surrogates may not receive compensation by statute. Any contracts that include money paid to the surrogate beyond the reimbursement of medical costs and living expenses are considered void and enforceable. Because parentage in Virginia is tied to <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-contracts-and-agreements\/\">surrogacy contracts<\/a> which are required documentation regardless of which route is taken in terms of establishing the Intended Parent(s)\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-parental-rights\/\">rights<\/a> to their own child(ren), compensated surrogacy is not permitted in Virginia. This means all women in the state wishing to be surrogates must do so on an altruistic-only basis.<\/p>\r\n<p>You must speak to a qualified attorney to understand the full scope of Virginia\u2019s surrogacy regulations and restrictions. If you need help finding an attorney, you can use <a href=\"https:\/\/my.surrogacyplace.com\/attorney\/directory\">Surrogacy Place\u2019s attorney directory as a starting place<\/a>. Intended Parent(s) that are residents of Virginia may wish to match with a surrogate in a more <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-friendly-states\/\">surrogacy-friendly<\/a> state. An attorney can discuss your options with you.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_compensated_surrogacy_allowed_in_Virginia\"><\/span><strong>Is compensated surrogacy allowed in Virginia? <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>No. There are very <a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title20\/chapter9\/section20-156\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clear guidelines on what a surrogate can receive for her services by statute<\/a>. This includes basic pregnancy\/medical\/living costs. It does not include lost wages or many other typical reimbursements as allowed in other states. The specific language used is \u201cthe costs of the performance of assisted conception, the costs of prenatal maternal health care, the costs of maternal and child health care for a reasonable postpartum period, the reasonable costs for <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-myth-experimental-medications\/\">medications<\/a> and maternity clothes, and any additional and reasonable costs for housing and other living expenses attributable to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-pregnancy\/\">pregnancy<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Intended_Parents_and_surrogates_do_a_surrogacy_journey_without_an_agency_in_Virginia\"><\/span><strong>Can Intended Parents and surrogates do a surrogacy journey without an agency in Virginia?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Yes and Virginia specifically forbids surrogacy agencies from matching in the state via statue <em><a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title20\/chapter9\/section20-165\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(\u00a7 20-156)<\/a>.<\/em> This means all journeys in Virginia must be done independently without an agency.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_can_become_an_Intended_Parent_in_Virginia\"><\/span><strong>Who can become an Intended Parent in Virginia? <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>In Virginia, any woman who has been advised by their doctor that they cannot carry a pregnancy safely and has a legitimate medical reason for surrogacy, or single\/gay men is able to consider surrogacy as an option to start or grow a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-with-a-family-member\/\">family<\/a>. Do note <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-process\/\">the process<\/a> for establishing parentage is burdensome and surrogacy is limited to compensation-less journeys in Virginia. As a result, surrogacy is less frequently practiced in Virginia. It is not considered a \u201csurrogacy-friendly\u201d state because of the number of restrictions.<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_become_a_surrogate_in_Virginia\"><\/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>How do I become a surrogate in Virginia?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>If you want to <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/gestational-surrogate\/\">become a surrogate<\/a> in Virginia, you should understand that your journey must be done altruistically. This means you will not <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/paid-surrogacy\/\">get paid<\/a> for your time and the inherent <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-risks-and-complications\/\">risks<\/a> to your health that all pregnancies entails. Many surrogates have done altruistic journeys and for some it\u2019s a calling. If that\u2019s you, read on to learn more about the medical and lifestyle <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-eligibility-criteria\/\">requirements<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Surrogacy Place put together a <a href=\"https:\/\/my.surrogacyplace.com\/quiz\">short quiz<\/a> highlighting many of the basic requirements. Take it to learn more.<\/p>\r\n<p>The general requirements include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>You are between 21-42 in age, though exact age requirements may vary by doctor\/clinic.<\/li>\r\n<li>You do not have a history of any major pregnancy complications including preeclampsia, postpartum depression, and placental abruption\/previa.<\/li>\r\n<li>You have carried\/birthed at least one biological child of your own that you are actively raising or have raised.<\/li>\r\n<li>You live in a house free of toxins\/hazards.<\/li>\r\n<li>You will take all medications and hormones exactly as prescribed.<\/li>\r\n<li>You have a BMI in healthy range (e.g. 18-32) and have perfect overall health.<\/li>\r\n<li>You are a non-smoker and do not use recreational drugs\/are willing to avoid alcohol while pregnant.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you qualify and are committed to doing an altruistic journey, you can begin matching with Intended Parents.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\">Surrogacy Place<\/a> offers surrogates the opportunity to self-match, no agency needed! \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>After a surrogate matches with Intended Parent(s), she will be officially vetted by the Intended Parent(s)\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/finding-a-surrogacy-clinic\/\">fertility clinic<\/a>. Once a clinic has cleared her, surrogacy contracts are fully negotiated, drafted, and finalized. If all parties agree on terms, including very strict rules on acceptable reimbursements, an <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-embryo-transfer-process\/\">embryo transfer<\/a> will be scheduled.<\/p>\r\n<p>For additional requirements, we have this <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/become-a-surrogate\/\">checklist.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_a_Surrogate_Finding_an_Intended_Parent\"><\/span><strong>Finding a Surrogate \/ Finding an Intended Parent<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>At SurrogacyPlace.com, we designed our platform to facilitate surrogates and Intended Parents finding each other based on preferences. If you\u2019re looking for carriers or Intended Parents in Virginia, for example, you can search by location.<\/p>\r\n<p>Surrogacy Place\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/affordable-surrogacy\/\">independent surrogacy<\/a> matching site is always available at no cost for surrogates. If you\u2019re a surrogate, <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\">sign up for free at any time.<\/a> Intended Parents will pay a small access fee to get started. <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\">Create your Surrogacy Place profile<\/a> when you\u2019re ready. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_some_of_the_advantages_of_doing_an_independent_journey\"><\/span><strong>What are some of the advantages of doing an independent journey?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>In Virginia, agencies are not allowed to receive compensation for matching and providing surrogacy services. All journeys in Virginia are done on a self-managed (independent) basis.<\/p>\r\n<p>In other states, however, many Intended Parents and surrogates have a choice and many deliberately choose to do their journeys without an agency. There are many reasons why, including the cost savings, having a bad previous experience with an agency, the long agency waitlists, and having a direct closer relationship vs. treating surrogacy as a business transaction.<\/p>\r\n<p>Keep in mind only Reproductive Endocrinologists and licensed attorneys are able to evaluate a suitable match. Agencies can never warrant a surrogate or an Intended Parent is medically or otherwise qualified to undergo a surrogacy journey. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>Curious about independent journeys? Here are some of the most-cited reasons <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/independent-journeys\/\">surrogates tend to prefer independent journeys<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>How much will <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/how-much-does-surrogacy-cost\/\">surrogacy cost<\/a>? For information on the some of the various costs Intended Parents pay for surrogacy, please read our \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/how-much-does-surrogacy-cost\/\">how much does surrogacy generally cost<\/a>\u201d overview. Keep in mind that in Virginia <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-compensation\/\">surrogacy compensation<\/a> is severely restricted and limited to very specific reimbursements of expenses.<\/p>\r\n<p>Looking for information about surrogacy in less restrictive states? Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/category\/surrogacy-by-state\/\">surrogacy-in-each-state<\/a> resources hub.<\/p>\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<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>State-by-State Surrogacy Laws: Surrogacy in Virginia Virginia has complex laws with respect to surrogacy as outlined in the Status of Children of Assisted Conception Act&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,5,54],"tags":[19,20,21,25,31,32,33,35,38,100,42,44,45,48,49],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873"}],"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=873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}