Snowflakes Frozen Embryo Donation

Have Embryos Remaining?

At the Snowflakes Embryo Adoption and Donation Program we understand the difficult decision parents are faced with when they realize they have embryos they don't plan to transfer. Snowflakes provides a way for you, parents of frozen embryos, to select a couple who will adopt the embryos. You love and care about your embryos and want the best for them. Through the Snowflakes Embryo Donation Program, you are provided with information about the outcome of your embryos: whether or not they survived the thaw, how many were transferred, and if a pregnancy resulted. You're also able to know how the baby or babies are doing, see pictures, and receive updates, if you desire. Or, if it's more comfortable for you, you don't have to be involved: Snowflakes can choose the parents who will adopt the embryos.

Each family is unique and we strive to provide services that will meet your needs. Additionally, though embryo adoption is an unprecedented area of the law, Snowflakes provides the same legal safeguards for embryo donation and adoption that are set forth through traditional adoption. Ultimately, you are in control of making wise decisions for your embryos. Please read through our Fact Sheet (linked below) to learn more. If your questions aren't answered or you want to discuss your personal situation, we welcome your call.

What does embryo adoption cost the donating family?

All embryo adoption costs are covered by the adoptive family except for the storage of the embryos during the adoption process. (The cost of embryo adoption for the adoptive family is discussed in the Fact Sheet on the Adopting Parents page.)

Need to move your embryos?

If you choose to donate your frozen embryos for adoption and need a cost-effective storage location during the process, take a minute to read about our partnership with a storage facility.

Fact Sheet for Genetic Family Embryo Donation Process FAQ's Click Here to download pdf

Selected Questions from Fact Sheet

The questions and answers below are just a few from our Fact Sheet for Genetic Parents (PDF). Download the entire booklet for more information about Embryo Adoption.

Is Nightlight Christian Adoptions a non-profit agency?

Yes, Nightlight is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Fees paid by adoptive parents as well as any fundraising efforts throughout the year cover agency expenses.

Why would we donate through an embryo adoption program instead of a clinic embryo donation program?

Snowflakes provides the same safeguards that the traditional adoption process offers. You will know that the family you have chosen to parent your pre-born child(ren) has been screened for a criminal history and child abuse record, as well as received education about how to parent an adoptee. You have the peace of mind of having handpicked a family to raise your genetic child. You also have the opportunity to have contact with your adopting family to whatever extent you both are comfortable.

Does Nightlight encourage the creation and freezing of embryos?

No, we are trying to provide a loving option to the families of the 500,000 (estimated) embryos frozen in clinics throughout the United States.

What are the legal issues with embryo adoption?

The adoption agreement and relinquishment forms are legal contracts between the two families. As there are no laws regarding adoption of embryos, we have created the contract to match the current position of the courts that the embryos are property. The contract covers the transfer of property and also includes additional adoption language. These legal forms are signed and executed prior to the embryos being shipped to the adoptive parents' clinic and before the embryos are implanted in the adoptive mother.

Does the age of the embryos (date frozen) affect our ability to place them for adoption?

No, there have been no definitive studies proving how long embryos can stay frozen and remain viable. We have had successful pregnancies with embryos frozen for 10 years. We believe each embryo, no matter its age, is a precious life that should be given the opportunity to grow.

If we used Donor Egg or Sperm in the creation of our embryos can we place them through Snowflakes?

Yes, we just need to obtain copies of your donor profile, egg donor consent and donor infectious disease screen results. We will provide a copy of the donor profile to the adopting family along with the family health history that you provide. We need a copy of the egg donor consent to verify that you have the legal authority to place the embryos for adoption with another couple and they are not specifically for your use only. The infectious disease results are part of the FDA requirements for the adopting family's clinic to accept the embryos into their facility.

Isn't this just surrogacy?

No. In surrogacy, an agreement is made for a woman to carry a pregnancy for the benefit of the intended parents. In our program the genetic parents relinquish all rights to the child prior to implantation. The child that the adoptive mother carries is the child that the adoptive couple will parent.

The questions and answers above are just a few from our Fact Sheet for Genetic Parents (PDF). Download the entire booklet for more information about Embryo Adoption.

In accordance with Hague Standard 96.36 (a), Nightlight Christian Adoptions confirms that it prohibits its employees and agency from giving money or other consideration, directly or indirectly to a child’s parent(s), other individual(s) or an entity as payment for the child or as an inducement to release the child. If permitted or required by the child’s country of origin, an agency may remit reasonable payments for activities related to the adoption proceedings, pre-birth and birth medical costs, the care of the child, the care of the birth mother while pregnant and immediately following birth of the child, or the provision of child welfare and child protection services generally. Permitted or required contributions shall not be remitted as payment for the child or as an inducement to release the child. (Read more at the State Department's website.)