Deciding to start a family is an exciting step. But some people may face challenges along the way, such as fertility problems, a high-risk pregnancy, or concerns about passing on a hereditary condition. Single people may also wish to become parents. Others may simply prefer adoption or assisted reproduction.
In Quebec, you can conceive a child with the help of someone who isn’t your partner. You can also adopt a child. Several options are available to help you start your family.
Conceiving a child with the help of a sperm or egg donor
One option for starting a family is to conceive a child with a sperm or an egg donation. It can take place at home or in a clinic.
The law recognizes three types of assisted reproduction:
- Medically assisted reproduction, which is done in a clinic.
- Artisanal insemination, which can be performed at home or in another location that is not a clinic.
- Artificial insemination with the help of a friend, through sexual intercourse.
To learn more about the steps involved and the legal implications of each type, see our article on conceiving a child with the help of a sperm or egg donor.
Having a child with the help of a surrogate
You can also ask another person to carry your child. This process is called “surrogacy”. The person who carries the child is often referred to as a “surrogate”.
The surrogate may live in Quebec or outside Quebec. However, the rules can differ if the surrogate lives outside Quebec.
To learn more about the process and its legal implications, see our article on having a child with the help of a surrogate.
Adopting a child
You can also start a family by adopting a child. There are two types of adoption in Quebec:
- Regular adoption, which involves children whose biological parents consent to the adoption.
- Adoption through the Banque mixte (mixed bank) program, which involves children who have been removed from their birth families by the Director of Youth Protection (DYP).
To learn more about the process and the legal implications of adoption, see our article on adopting a child in Quebec or our article on international adoption.
Children have the right to know their origins
Your child has the right to know their origins, including information about their birth family. This is the case no matter which option you choose to start your family.
As a parent, you are required to tell your child if they were born through assisted reproduction or adoption. To learn more, see our article on children’s right to know their origins in cases of adoption and assisted reproduction.
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Having more than two parents: is that possible? In Quebec, a child cannot have more than two legal parents. For now, multiparent families are not officially recognized. |