An introduction to the laws of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in the State of California

Generally, is California friendly to ART?  Yes 

Is California friendly to non-married couples? Yes 

Is California friendly to LGBT families? Yes 

Is California friendly to a single intended parent?  Yes 

Are there statutes in place for surrogacy in California?   Yes, for Gestational Surrogacy but not for Traditional Surrogacy. 

Does California have an embryo donation statute?  

Does California have an egg donation statute? Yes  

Is gestational surrogacy (third party gamete use) permitted in California? Yes 

Is traditional surrogacy (use of the surrogate’s genetic material) permitted in California? Yes 

In California, is compensated surrogacy allowed by statute? Yes In practice? Yes  

In California is uncompensated (expense reimbursement only) surrogacy allowed by statute? Yes In practice? Yes 

Does California only permit a Carrier to be reimbursed for expenses? No 

Are surrogacy agreements enforceable, void or prohibited in California? Enforceable by statute for gestational surrogacy. 

In California, do both Intended Parents both have to be genetically related to the child? No 

Does California require at least one Intended Parent to be genetically related to the child?  No 

In California, if a single intended parent uses surrogacy, do they have to be genetically related to the child? No 

Do the Intended Parents have to be married in California? No 

Do two Intended Parents have to be opposite genders in California? No 

Does California allow pre-birth parentage orders to be issued for surrogacy? Yes  

Does California only allow a post-birth parentage order to be issued? Yes 

Can you obtain both a pre and post birth order in California for the same child? Yes 

Can you obtain a parentage order if only the carrier resides in California? Yes 

Can you obtain a parentage order if only the intended parents reside in California? Yes 

Can you obtain a parentage order if only the birth occurs in California? Yes, but possibly only post-birth 

Can you obtain a parentage order if only the medical procedures/IVF Clinic is in California?  Yes  

What is the basis for venue in California? 

Do results vary by venue? 

Is a hearing required for a parentage order in California? Generally, not. 

Does California have a passport office? Yes, California has 3 Regional Passport Offices. 

How long does it take to obtain a birth certificate in California? Depends on the County but usually 5-10 days. 

Will your vital records honor a parentage order from another state?   

Does California’s vital records office require a parentage order from another state to be registered? 

How does the birth certificate list same-sex parents in California? “Parent/Parent” or “Mother/Mother” or “Father/Father” (whatever the IPs choose) 

Can an initial birth certificate be obtained naming the biological parent and the carrier in California? Possibly 

In California, can the birth certificate be amended to include only the biological parent or both intended parents? Yes 

Do your amended birth certificates say “amended” on them?  

Can intended parents in a surrogacy obtain an adoption order in California? Yes 

Assisted Reproduction law and surrogacy involves many complex issues.  Parties who are contemplating engaging in a surrogacy arrangement in the State of California should not rely exclusively on these printed responses.  All these issues should be discussed with a California ART attorney who is experienced in surrogacy law.  Answers to these questions will be impacted by numerous circumstances that are unique to your surrogacy arrangement.