Gestational Surrogacy Regulations in Michigan

Overview

In March 2024, Michigan’s legislature passed the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act, which legalizes Gestational Surrogacy and designates the Intended Parent as the sole legal parent of the resulting child. The Act mandates the State Registrar to issue an amended birth certificate in accordance with a parentage judgment order. However, the Act will not take effect until 90 days after the current legislative session concludes, anticipated to be in March 2025. Until then, surrogacy contracts remain illegal and unenforceable in Michigan.

Intended Parents

Age requirement:
18 years of age or older
Marriage requirement:
Yes* (can be a single Intended Parent. Cannot be an unmarried couple)
Married heterosexual couple:
Yes
Married same-sex couple:
Yes* (Michigan now recognizes same-sex marriages under the new Act)
Resident status:
No
Independent legal counsel:
Yes

Gestational Surrogates

Age requirement:
18 years of age or older
Marriage requirement:
No
If married/partnered:
husband’s/partner’s sperm cannot be used
Surrogate status:
Gestational (Compassionate) Surrogacy only
Resident status:
Yes
Use of own embryos:
No
Independent legal counsel:
Yes

Embryos

Intended Parents own sperm:
Yes
Intended Parents own eggs:
Yes
Intended Parents using sperm donor:
Yes*
Intended Parents using egg donor:
Yes*
Intended Parents using both egg and sperm donor:
No
*at least one Intended Parent must have a genetic relationship to the child.

Birth of Child

Birth in Michigan:
Yes
Birth outside of Michigan:
No

Courts may grant Pre-Birth Orders if no payment or compensation has been made and the surrogate is a compassionate surrogate. Post-Birth Adoptions are permitted by a single person or by a married couple.

Parentage

Pre-Birth Orders:
Yes
Hearing to obtain Order:
Yes, unless judge waives hearing
Post-Birth Orders:
Yes

General Information

Will Michigan Vital Records honor a Pre-Birth Order from another state:
Yes* (the Order cannot violate Michigan’s statute)
What is the typical time frame to obtain a birth certificate after delivery:
2 weeks
How are same-sex parents named on the final birth certificate:
Parent and Parent
Can an international same-sex male couple obtain an initial birth certificate naming the biological father and Gestational Carrier:
Yes
Can an international same-sex male couple subsequently obtain a birth certificate naming only the biological father or both fathers with no mention of the Gestational Carrier:
Yes* (Only if an Adoption Order is issued in another state or country)

Second Parent and Stepparent Adoptions for Michigan Residents:

This situation typically arises if the child is born outside of Michigan. The parents then return to Michigan to obtain a second parent adoption or stepparent adoption in Michigan. Michigan does not permit second-parent or step-parent adoptions for same-sex couples. Please consult with your attorney on this matter if this issue is to arise.

Traditional Surrogacy in Michigan?

Traditional Surrogacy is not distinguished from Gestational Surrogacy in the Michigan Surrogate Parenting Act. Please consult with your local attorney before moving forward with Traditional Surrogacy.
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Disclaimer - The information provided on these pages does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; all content is for general informational purposes only and may not constitute the most up-to-date legal information, either. Please consult with an ART Lawyer for legal advice specific to your case.