Surrogacy, Legal Considerations of

Surrogacy is sometimes used as a means of family formation by members of the LGBTQ community, particularly by gay men. This entry begins with an explanation of the specific terms used in discussion of surrogacy and then provides an overview of the most important legal considerations. It is important to note at the outset, however, that the law of surrogacy is complicated and varies dramatically from state to state as well as from country to country. Because of these features and because the legal treatment of surrogacy can have profound consequences for all those involved, surrogacy should not be undertaken without consulting a lawyer familiar with the law of the states or countries involved.