Legal Definitions - surrogate parent

A surrogate parent is someone who takes on the role of a parent for a child who is not biologically their own or who they did not legally adopt. This can include:

• A surrogate mother who carries a child for another person or couple and gives birth to the child
• A foster parent who cares for a child temporarily while they are unable to live with their biological parents
• A de facto parent who has taken on the role of a parent for a child, even though they are not biologically related or legally adopted

For example, a woman who agrees to carry a child for a couple who cannot conceive on their own would be a surrogate mother. She would carry the child throughout pregnancy and give birth to the child, but would not have any legal or biological relationship to the child once it is born.

Another example would be a foster parent who takes in a child who has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. The foster parent would provide a safe and stable home for the child until they can be reunited with their biological parents or placed with an adoptive family.

Overall, a surrogate parent is someone who steps in to provide love, care, and support for a child who needs it, even if they are not biologically related or legally responsible for the child.