What the Order Does
A parentage order establishes the legal parents named by the court. A pre-birth order is issued before delivery; the effect at birth and the hospital’s documentation process should be explained by counsel. It is separate from the surrogacy agreement.
Check Your Filing Plan
Your attorney reviews the agreement, applicable law, intended parents’ circumstances and available filing venue. Family structure, gamete sources, where treatment occurs and the anticipated delivery location can affect the analysis.
Prepare in Four Steps
Use a case-specific schedule agreed with counsel and the hospital.
- Provide the executed agreement and the information or declarations needed for the parentage petition.
- Confirm filing requirements, any hearing and how the court communicates its decision.
- Obtain the issued order and check names and other details promptly.
- Share required documents with the hospital and confirm birth registration and discharge arrangements.
If Plans or Timing Change
Tell your attorney about a move, changed delivery location or early delivery. California law allows parentage orders before or after birth; the appropriate procedure depends on the circumstances. Court processing and hospital requirements do not follow one universal week range.