
North Carolina is widely seen as a surrogacy-friendly state, with no laws explicitly prohibiting the practice, making it a reliable and accessible option for intended parents. Whether you’re in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Matthews, Mooresville, or Hickory, GSHC is the leading surrogacy agency here to guide you through every step of your surrogacy journey.
Most courts often grant pre-birth parentage orders to both intended parents, providing clarity and peace of mind throughout the journey, while others may grant a post-birth order.
Once a surrogate and intended parents are matched and agree to move forward, each party must be represented by separate legal counsel to protect their individual rights and interests. The legal process begins with the drafting and review of a comprehensive surrogacy contract. This contract outlines important terms, including:
- Confirmation that the surrogate will not have parental rights
- The intended parents’ full legal parentage
- Compensation structure and reimbursement of expenses
- Medical decision-making protocols throughout the pregnancy
After both parties approve and sign the agreement, the intended parents’ attorney typically petitions the court for a pre-birth parentage order. This legal document allows the intended parents to make medical decisions during the pregnancy and ensures their names appear on the birth certificate after delivery. Once the contract is finalized and legally binding, the medical phase, including embryo transfer, can begin. It’s important to understand that in North Carolina, some judges may not recognize the parental rights of single parents or couples who don’t have a genetic connection to the child born through surrogacy. In such cases, a post-birth order may be required to establish legal parentage.

