Nebraska makes a compensated surrogate-parenthood contract void and unenforceable under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,200. It does not provide a comprehensive gestational-surrogacy framework, and parentage after birth depends heavily on genetics, acknowledgments, and adoption.
State surrogacy outlookSignificant statutory restrictions
What to know about surrogacy in Nebraska
State law makes some surrogacy agreements void, prohibited, or available only through a narrow pathway that requires specialized review.
The legal pathway at a glance
01
Agreement and compensation
Section 25-21,200 voids and makes unenforceable a surrogate-parenthood contract when a woman is compensated to bear a child for a man who is not her husband; it preserves the biological father's rights and obligations. The statute does not comprehensively regulate an uncompensated gestational arrangement, so one should not infer that altruistic agreements are affirmatively authorized or enforceable.
02
Intended-parent eligibility
Nebraska has no affirmative gestational-surrogacy eligibility statute. The clearest administrative route is for genetically related intended parents: the biological father can acknowledge paternity and the woman whose egg created the embryo can use the statutory acknowledgment of maternity; other configurations may require adoption and relationship status can matter.
03
Parentage and birth records
Nebraska does not provide a surrogacy-specific pre-birth order procedure. After birth, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-604.02 and the Department of Health and Human Services form allow the genetic intended mother to replace the birth mother on the record when all required parties sign; configurations outside the acknowledgment route generally require a court or adoption process.
Nebraska
Important Nebraska differences
01
Do not structure a compensated contract
Have Nebraska counsel review every proposed payment before any commitment because § 25-21,200 expressly voids contracts within its compensated-surrogacy definition.
02
Confirm both genetic links
Determine whether the intended father can acknowledge paternity and whether the intended mother's egg created the embryo for the § 71-604.02 maternity acknowledgment.
03
Plan for post-birth signatures
The maternity acknowledgment requires the birth mother's and biological mother's notarized signatures; separate paternity or spousal affidavits may also be needed for the other parent's entry.
Intended parents
How to get started in Nebraska
Sequence matters. Use these steps to prepare for a conversation with qualified assisted-reproduction professionals.
1
Confirm the Nebraska legal path first
Consult Nebraska reproductive-law and adoption counsel before matching, payments, or transfer to avoid the compensated-contract prohibition and map each parent's post-birth acknowledgment or adoption route.
2
Confirm who may use that pathway
Nebraska has no affirmative gestational-surrogacy eligibility statute. The clearest administrative route is for genetically related intended parents: the biological father can acknowledge paternity and the woman whose egg created the embryo can use the statutory acknowledgment of maternity; other configurations may require adoption and relationship status can matter.
3
Complete screening and contracts before treatment
Coordinate the clinic, surrogate screening, insurance review, independent attorneys, and all required signatures before medication or embryo transfer. Section 25-21,200 voids and makes unenforceable a surrogate-parenthood contract when a woman is compensated to bear a child for a man who is not her husband; it preserves the biological father's rights and obligations. The statute does not comprehensively regulate an uncompensated gestational arrangement, so one should not infer that altruistic agreements are affirmatively authorized or enforceable.
4
Map the parentage and birth-document timeline
Nebraska does not provide a surrogacy-specific pre-birth order procedure. After birth, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-604.02 and the Department of Health and Human Services form allow the genetic intended mother to replace the birth mother on the record when all required parties sign; configurations outside the acknowledgment route generally require a court or adoption process.
Last reviewed August 15, 2026
Sources and legal authorities
Review the linked statutes, court materials, public guidance, and clearly identified practice sources as a starting point for current legal review.
Laws, court practices, and local filing procedures can change. This page provides general educational information, not legal advice. Consult independent assisted-reproduction counsel licensed in the relevant state before relying on it.
This directory organizes local planning information. A listed location does not by itself establish medical eligibility, program acceptance, or legal approval.