Virginia § 20-165 - Surrogate brokers prohibited; penalty; liability of surrogate brokers
Full text of Virginia Code of Virginia § 20-165 — Surrogate brokers prohibited; penalty; liability of surrogate brokers, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20-165. Surrogate brokers prohibited; penalty; liability of surrogate brokers
A. It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or other entity to accept compensation for recruiting or procuring surrogates or to accept compensation for otherwise arranging or inducing an intended parent and surrogates to enter into surrogacy contracts in this Commonwealth. A violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. Any person who acts as a surrogate broker in violation of this section shall, in addition, be liable to all the parties to the purported surrogacy contract in a total amount equal to three times the amount of compensation to have been paid to the broker pursuant to the contract. One-half of the damages under this subsection shall be due the surrogate and her spouse, if any, and if such spouse is a party to the contract, and one-half shall be due the intended parent.
An action under this section shall be brought within five years of the date of the contract.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the services of an attorney in giving legal advice or in preparing a surrogacy contract.
Source: official Virginia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia § 20-165
What does Code of Virginia § 20-165 cover?
Section 20-165 ("Surrogate brokers prohibited; penalty; liability of surrogate brokers") is part of the Code of Virginia, the codified statutory law of Virginia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Virginia § 20-165?
A common citation format is "Code of Virginia § 20-165" (Virginia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Virginia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Virginia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Virginia attorney.
How does Virginia § 20-165 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Virginia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Virginia.