Fertility Law Glossary

A professional organization that connects intended parents with surrogates or donors, often managing screening, matching, and coordination between all parties.

A legally binding contract between intended parents and a surrogate or donor outlining rights, obligations, reimbursements, medical decisions, and confidentiality.

An arrangement where the donor’s identity is not disclosed to the recipient. Some families choose this for privacy, while others prefer a known donation with ongoing contact.

A broad category of medical procedures used to achieve pregnancy through artificial or partially artificial means, including IVF, egg and sperm donation, embryo transfer, and gestational surrogacy.

A woman who carries and delivers a baby on behalf of intended parents, with no genetic connection to the child.

A licensed medical facility that performs fertility treatments such as IVF, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer.

A clause or document ensuring that all personal and medical information shared during the fertility process remains private among the parties involved.

An attorney who represents either the intended parents or the surrogate/donor to make sure all legal documents comply with Florida law.

When a woman provides her eggs to help another individual or couple conceive through IVF.

A fertilized egg that has begun cell division and can be transferred into the uterus for implantation.

The process by which embryos remaining after fertility treatment are donated to another person or couple.

A secure account managed by a third party to hold and disburse funds for surrogate or donor reimbursements and medical expenses.

The process of creating or expanding a family through methods such as surrogacy, adoption, or assisted reproduction.

The legal review process where an attorney examines a surrogacy or donation agreement to ensure it is valid, clear, and enforceable.

A reproductive cell — either an egg or a sperm, used in assisted reproduction.

The woman who carries and delivers the child on behalf of intended parents. In Florida, surrogates typically have no genetic connection to the baby.

A surrogacy arrangement where the carrier has no genetic link to the child; the embryo is created using the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm.

A process where eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory setting, and one or more resulting embryos are transferred to a uterus.

The individual or couple who plan to become the legal parent(s) of a child born through assisted reproduction.

When intended parents from another country work with a U.S.-based surrogate. Legal guidance ensures parentage and citizenship are recognized both in Florida and abroad.

A donation in which the donor’s identity is shared and both parties may agree to future contact or updates.

The recognized legal status of an individual as a child’s parent, granting rights and responsibilities under the law.

Approval from a medical professional that a donor or surrogate is healthy and eligible to participate in the fertility process.

A court order establishing the intended parents as the legal parents of the child, issued either before or after birth.

A court order confirming parentage after the child’s birth.

A legal order issued during pregnancy declaring the intended parents as the legal parents upon the child’s birth.

The payment made to a surrogate or donor for her time, effort, and associated expenses. Florida law requires that reimbursements be detailed in a written agreement.

Eggs, sperm, or embryos used in assisted reproductive procedures.

The process by which same-sex couples or LGBTQ+ individuals build their families through assisted reproduction. Legal counsel ensures that both partners’ parental rights are protected.

Medical and psychological evaluations that donors and surrogates undergo before participating in assisted reproduction.

A written contract between the intended parents and the gestational carrier that defines legal rights, reimbursements, medical decisions, and the plan for establishing parentage.

A part of the contract outlining what happens if the surrogacy or donation process must be stopped before completion.