Legislative Milestone in Missouri’s Surrogacy Landscape:
Surrogacy in Missouri operates within a legal gray area where no specific surrogacy laws exist.
Surrogacy Contracts
Establish rights and obligations of every party.
Establish potential risks and complications.
Negotiated by separate attorneys.
Parental Rights
Unlike some states that offer pre-birth orders, Missouri requires the completion of a post-birth parentage order. This action is typically filed during the second trimester and expedited post-birth to promptly issue a birth certificate listing only the Intended Parents.
Legal Rights of Surrogates:
All the rights and obligations of a Surrogate are regulated by the legal agreement.
Who Can Benefit from Surrogacy in MO?
Single individuals
Heterosexual couples
Same-sex couples
Surrogacy Environment in Missouri:
While Missouri may not have specific surrogacy laws, the state's approach to surrogacy is defined by a favorable legal climate and established processes that protect the interests of all parties involved. The state's system ensures that Intended Parents can confidently embark on their surrogacy journey, with the legal support and structures in place to safeguard their rights and the rights of the child born through surrogacy
Advantages of Surrogacy in MO
In Missouri, the landscape of surrogacy is navigated within a framework that, while lacking explicit surrogacy-specific statutes, is notably surrogacy-friendly. The state has fostered a process that utilizes existing laws to facilitate surrogacy agreements effectively, ensuring that Intended Parents can establish their parentage legally and receive birth certificates that reflect their status as the child's sole legal parents.