For intended parents pursuing surrogacy in Washington D.C., the legal process is one of the most important foundations of a successful arrangement. D.C.'s inclusive and well-structured legal framework offers meaningful protections — but those protections depend on having knowledgeable legal counsel who ensures every step is handled correctly.

Meryl B. Rosenberg, Esq. provides dedicated legal services to intended parents throughout the D.C. area, from the earliest stages of planning through the final recognition of parentage. Meryl has guided intended parents through this process since 1993 and brings clarity and calm to every step.

Surrogacy Agreements for Intended Parents

Your gestational surrogacy agreement is the legal cornerstone of your arrangement. It defines the rights and responsibilities of the intended parents and the gestational surrogate, addresses compensation and expenses, outlines medical and other decision-making protocols, and establishes the path to parentage under D.C. law.

Ensuring that all rights and duties are clearly defined consistent with relevant law before medical procedures begin is essential in every case. Meryl drafts agreements that are comprehensive, personalized, and specific to the applicable law. Every agreement is reviewed by the surrogate's independent attorney together with their client before being finalized and signed by all parties.

Parentage Judgments for Intended Parents in Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. provides one of the clearest and most inclusive parentage processes in the country. The D.C. court process results in a judgment of parentage that is typically obtained before the baby is born — ensuring intended parents are legally recognized from the moment of delivery, with their names entered on the original birth certificate.

D.C.'s framework applies to all family structures, including same-sex couples, single individuals, and unmarried partners, regardless of genetic connection to the child. Depending on the specifics of each arrangement, the judgment may be obtained post-birth. Meryl advises intended parents on the legal process that applies to their situation and handles all necessary court proceedings.

Donor Agreements

When your family building involves an egg donor, sperm donor, or embryo donor, a carefully drafted donor agreement is essential. These agreements define each party's rights and intentions and are tailored to applicable law. Meryl drafts or negotiates egg donation, sperm donation, and embryo donation agreements for intended parents or donors, working with both identified and non-identified donor cases.

IVF Clinic and Agency Document Review

Intended parents working with IVF clinics or surrogacy agencies will encounter a range of informed consent documents, agreements, and forms throughout the process. Meryl reviews these with her clients to ensure that nothing is overlooked, that what you are agreeing to and consenting to is clear, and that your rights are protected before you sign any relevant document. This service is available to clients worldwide — regardless of where the agency or clinic is located.

Post-Birth Parental Rights, Confirmatory Adoption, Step and Second-Parent Adoptions

In some arrangements, a post-birth court proceeding is required or advisable to ensure that both parents are fully recognized. This may be necessary or recommended in a surrogacy case, or for a each parent to be recognized as a legal parent by court order. This latter process is not an adoption in any traditional sense — it is a confirmation of parental rights after birth. Please ask Meryl if this is recommended in your case. Meryl also handles step-parent and second-parent adoptions for situations where they are the appropriate legal pathway, and advises clients on which process applies to their specific family structure and arrangement.

International Intended Parents

Washington D.C. is a particularly strong jurisdiction for international intended parents pursuing surrogacy in the United States. Its inclusive parentage framework, clear court process, and broad recognition of diverse family structures make it well-suited to the additional complexity that international arrangements often involve.

International intended parents face a distinct set of legal considerations beyond the surrogacy arrangement itself, including citizenship for their child, parentage recognition in their home country, and travel requirements for getting their newborn home. Meryl brings unique experience advising overseas clients on what must be addressed from the very start of the family building journey — before the process begins as should always be the case, rather than during pregnancy or after birth.