STATE SURROGACY LAW:

North Dakota Surrogacy Laws

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Overview

North Dakota allows gestational carrier agreements thanks to North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 14-18, which declares that a child born by a gestational carrier is the child of the Intended Parent(s). The state refers to what is commonly known as “gestational surrogacy” as a “gestational carrier agreement.” The law also defines a “gestational carrier arrangement” as one in which an adult woman enters into an agreement to have an embryo implanted in her and bear the resulting child for the intended parents, where the embryo is conceived by using the egg and sperm of the intended parents.

North Dakota allows assisted conception and gestational carrier agreements though North Dakota Century Code, Chapter 14-18, which declares that a child born by gestational carrier is the child of the Intended Parent(s) for all purposes and is not a child of the gestational carrier and the gestational carrier’s husband, if any.

Types of Surrogacy Available in North Dakota

Can a parentage order be obtained for the following?

Gestational carrier

YES

Altruistic surrogacy

YES

Traditional surrogacy

NO –

Traditional surrogacy is prohibited in North Dakota. Most attorneys and agencies strongly advise against the practice given the increased emotional and legal risks involved. Moreover, traditional surrogacy contracts in North Dakota are void and unenforceable.

Parentage

Who can be declared as the parent(s) of a child from a surrogate via a court parentage order?

– Both Intended Parent(s) can be named on the parentage order.

– Only a genetic Intended Parent can be named on the parentage order. A non-genetic Intended Parent will need to establish parentage via a second or stepparent adoption following birth.

If there isn’t a genetic link to a child, it may be more difficult to establish parentage via a court parentage order in North Dakota. If you are planning on using donor gametes, we recommend discussing your case with your attorney to discuss your best options.

How are Intended Parent(s) Listed on the Birth Certificate?

Intended Parent(s) may be listed as Father-Mother, Parent-Parent, or Father or Mother.

Rights of Egg or Sperm Donor(s)

According to N.D. Cent. Code §14-20-60, donors of sperm or egg for assisted reproduction procedures have no rights over the donated gametes or a resulting child.

Surrogacy Steps in North Dakota

Surrogacy Process in North Dakota

Select your agency if applicable

Match with a gestational carrier

Complete medical and psychological evaluations

Select attorney and complete legal contract

Begin IVF cycle with the gestational carrier

Pre-birth order

North Dakota allows pre-birth orders (“declaratory judgments”) to be filed. Proceedings begin after the first trimester.

Delivery and birth certificate finalization

Birth Certificate Timeline

Birth certificate

Intended Parent(s) may purchase copies of their child’s birth certificate from the North Dakota Department of Health Vital Records Department within a day of it being electronically filed.

Legal and medical steps involved in the gestational carrier process may differ from case to case. Please speak with your agency and attorneys about how the process might look for you.

Court Processes

Surrogacy Contracts

Gestational carrier contracts are permitted by North Dakota statutes. Traditional surrogacy contracts, on the other hand, are void and unenforceable.

Independent Counsel

Independent counsel is recommended, but not required, for all parties involved in a gestational carrier agreement. However, many reproductive medical centers will not participate in the process unless both sides have independent counsel.

Requirements for Surrogates and Intended Parent(s)

North Dakota has no statutory requirements that must be met for gestational carriers and Intended Parent(s) to participate in a gestational carrier agreement. However, agencies and fertility clinics have their own requirements based on the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

Birth Orders

Do courts issue pre-birth orders?

YES

Do courts issue post-birth orders?

YES

Are hearings required to obtain either pre- or post-birth orders?

Bases of Venue

What are the bases of venue?

County where child is born; county where .Intended Parent(s) live; county where .Gestational Carrier lives.

Do rulings vary by venue?

Can you file a motion to waive venue?

UNCERTAIN

International Issues

International Intended Parent(s) may find using a gestational carrier in North Dakota a relatively straightforward process. International Intended Parent(s) will have additional legal steps to complete before their return home regarding their country’s immigration and citizen laws that impact the child. It’s imperative the international Intended Parent(s) speak with an experienced attorney in their home country about their situation. The law of more than one country will need to be considered if the Intended Parent(s) are citizens or residents of more than one country.

Residency Requirements

Does North Dakota have any residency requirements for out-of-state or International Intended Parents?

Birth Certificates

Can an international same-sex male couple receive an initial birth certificate naming the biological father and Gestational Carrier?

YES

Can an international same-sex male couple obtain an initial birth certificate naming only the biological father?

YES

Can they receive a subsequent birth certificate naming only the Intended Parent(s) with no mention of the Gestational Carrier?

YES

Passport Timeline

6-8 weeks after submitting birth certificate.

Passports can be expedited for a 2-3 week delivery with an extra fee. Intended Parent(s) can also visit a regional passport agency to receive one within 1-2 business days.

Passports are regulated at the federal level in the United States. To learn more about the process of receiving a US passport, visit Travel.State.gov.

Consulting Attorneys

William Harrie
Nilles Lawyers
201 5th St N
Fargo, ND
(701) 237-5544
wharrie@nilleslaw.com
www.nilleslaw.com

Michael Gjesdahl
Gjesdahl Law
1375 21st Avenue
North Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 237-3009
mike@gjesdahllaw.com
gjesdahllaw.com

Assisted with 2024 updates

Lynn Slaathaug Moen
Brudvik Law Office, P.C.
231 9th Ave SE Mayville, ND 58257
(701) 788-3251
lynn@brudviklaw.com
www.brudviklaw.com

Legal Disclaimer

The content contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only. Content contained herein may or may not reflect the most current legal information on the subject; accordingly, this website is not promised to be correct or complete at any given time. Outcomes referenced should not be interpreted as an indication of future outcomes. Love & Kindness Surrogacy explicitly disclaims all liability for actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this website.

This website does not constitute a replacement for legal advice or counsel. Always consult an attorney before beginning the surrogacy process.

Last updated April 2024