Surrogacy in New Jersey

Surrogacy in New Jersey is rated “Very Friendly”. Intended Parents can obtain a pre-birth order if using their own genetic material or donor eggs and sperm. In New Jersey, the pre-birth order process is very predictable and uniform in each of the state’s counties. Jurisdiction is based on the IPs’ residence, surrogate residence, or the county of the child’s anticipated birth.

Jump Down this Article:

• New Jersey surrogacy at-a-glance
• Pre-birth orders in New Jersey
• New Jersey surrogacy clinics
• FAQ for surrogacy in New Jersey

Related Articles:

• How does surrogacy work?
• Managing the cost of surrogacy
• SENSIBLE low-cost programs & prices

 

Is Surrogacy Legal in New Jersey?

Yes, surrogacy is legal in New Jersey. The New Jersey Gestational Carrier Agreement Act of 2018 made gestational surrogacy legal in the state. Before that, compensated surrogacy arrangements were considered illegal and unenforceable. The 2018 law allows everyone from single individuals to same-sex or heterosexual couples and married or unmarried couples to use their rights. Neither of the Intended Parents has to be genetically related to the unborn child.

These friendly surrogacy laws have made New Jersey a haven for Intended Parents.

 

New Jersey Surrogacy Laws at a Glance

Can married couples get a pre-birth order in New Jersey?

Can unmarried couples get a pre-birth order in New Jersey?

Can LGBT+ couples get a pre-birth order in New Jersey?

Can single parents get a pre-birth order in New Jersey?

 

Pre-Birth Orders in New Jersey

In New Jersey, Intended Parents can request a pre-birth order whether they use their own oocytes or use both sperm and egg donors.

href=”https://www.sensiblesurrogacy.com/become-a-parent/”>A pre-birth order is a court declaration supporting the Surrogacy Contract before the birth of a child. The decision officially decides the parentage of the unborn child, i.e.: that the intended parents are the child’s legal parents and the surrogate has no parental rights or obligations. Pre-birth orders will prevent potential conflicts over the baby’s custody and guardianship.

The process is straightforward and pretty predictable and uniform throughout the state. Jurisdiction is based on the surrogate’s residence, the Intended Parents’ residence or the county the child is expected to be born in.

Pre-birth orders are typically issued in the third trimester of pregnancy, before the birth of the baby. Just like surrogacy agreements, pre-birth orders can be issued even if the parents are a married or unmarried, gay or straight, coupled or single, or using a sperm or egg donor.

Following a pre-birth order, both genetic parents as well as non-genetic parents is applicable will be named on the birth certificate as The Act allows for parentage if birth is a result of embryo donation.

A hearing is not required for a pre-birth order. Once all required documents, pursuant to the act are submitted to the court, it takes approximately 3 weeks to obtain the signed order. The Intended Parents are not required to appear in court.

If an order is granted, same-sex couples are named Parent A and Parent B on the final birth certificate. An egg/sperm donor does not have any parental rights over the child, this is specifically addressed in The Act.
 

 

Surrogacy Contracts in New Jersey

Gestational surrogacy contracts in New Jersey are fully legal and enforceable. The law is clear when it comes out to gestational contracts. Intended parents must follow all the legal requirements for an agreement to be enforceable.

The surrogate must:

• Be 21 or older
• Must have undergone a psychological and medical examination
• Have hired the services of an independent attorney to draft the agreement
• Have given birth to one or more child

The Intended Parents must:

• Have undergone a psychological examination
• Have hired the services of an independent attorney to draft the agreement

These requirements are quite lenient compared to other states. The purpose of these requirements is to protect the safety of both the parents and the surrogate and ensure that no person is exploited.

In addition, there are some other conditions that must be met. These include:

• The contract must be in writing
• The contract must be executed by each intended parent, the carrier and (if available) her spouse
• The intended parents and the surrogate must undergo screening before the contract can be executed
• No other medical procedure related to the agreement can start before the contract is executed

The contract must clearly explain all the conditions of the surrogacy including:

• Matters related to child custody after birth
• The surrogate’s right to decisions related to medical care and treatment after information the intended parents
• The surrogate’s willingness to undergo the transfer
• The new parents’ willingness to accept child custody

Surrogacy in New Jersey can be a hassle-free procedure, but it’s important that all Intended Parents get in touch with an attorney and get all their questions answered so that there are no issues later on.
 

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Best Surrogacy Clinics in New Jersey

Those looking for surrogacy in New Jersey have several options. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, there are 19 fertility clinics operating in New Jersey. Six of these regularly perform “surrogacy-type” cases.

Although no specific data on surrogacy cases is recorded by the CDC, “surrogacy type” cases are considered those involving an IVF cycle with a donor egg and frozen embryo transfers. This is the most common procedure in a surrogacy journey.

The best performing surrogacy clinics in New Jersey offer a live-birth rate of 47.53 percent for each embryo transfer on average. This is slightly higher than the national average, which stands at 46.5 percent. Higher than average success rates make surrogacy in New Jersey a favorable option for Intended Parents in the United States.

Out of the six clinics offering surrogacy-related services, two offer live-birth rates that are higher than the national average:

 

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Frequent Questions about Surrogacy in New Jersey

Is surrogacy in New Jersey legal?

Surrogacy is permitted in New Jersey and Intended Parents can obtain a pre-birth order if using their own genetic material or donor eggs and sperm. In New Jersey, the pre-birth order process is very predictable and uniform in each of the state’s counties. Jurisdiction is based on the IPs’ residence, surrogate residence, or the county of the child’s anticipated birth.

In which US states is surrogacy legal?

Surrogacy is legal and supported in almost all U.S. states, with only five with explicit laws forbidding surrogacy agreements. Even among 'unfriendly' states, surrogacy is often still possible, but there are legal obstacles to navigate to ensure your parental rights. Check out SENSIBLE's ratings of friendly surrogacy destinations in the U.S. and worldwide.

Are pre-birth orders possible in New Jersey?

Intended Parents will have no trouble in getting a pre-birth order from courts in the state if they meet the requirements. The law allows both the Intended Mother and Father to be declared the legal parents even if neither is genetically related to the baby.

Are surrogacy contracts valid in New Jersey?

Gestational surrogacy contracts in New Jersey are fully legal and enforceable. The law is clear when it comes out to gestational contracts. Intended parents must follow all the legal requirements for an agreement to be enforceable.

How much does surrogacy cost in New Jersey?

The average cost of surrogacy ranges from $120,000 to $150,000 in the United States, but low-cost options start at less than $100,000. Overseas surrogacy costs as little as $50,000 in Eastern Europe or South America, to $80,000 in Western countries like the UK, Greece or Canada.

How much do surrogates earn?

SENSIBLE surrogates make $50,000 to $70,000 for a surrogacy journey in the United States. The surrogate's total pay is separated into 'Base Salary' and 'Benefits'. Benefits usually include a monthly living stipend, maternity clothes, travel expenses, and other fees.