{
  "code": "US-VA",
  "name": "Virginia",
  "last_reviewed": "2026-07",
  "confidence": "medium",
  "black_letter": "Va. Code \u00a7 20-158(A)(3): a donor is not the parent of a child conceived through assisted conception (unless the donor is the gestational mother\u2019s spouse). Chapter 9 defines assisted conception as pregnancy from intervening medical technology. Bruce v. Boardwine (Va. Ct. App. 2015): ordinary turkey-baster at-home AI is not medical technology, so the donor statute does not apply and the genetic father may establish parentage. L.F. v. Breit (Va. 2013): known IVF provider who jointly executes a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity is not barred by the donor label. Treat DIY informal AI as high risk without counsel.",
  "ai_informal": "clinic_or_physician_required",
  "ni": "not_recognized",
  "physician_or_clinic_for_safe_harbor": "yes",
  "agreement_effect": "evidence_only",
  "key_citations": [
    {
      "label": "Va. Code \u00a7 20-158",
      "url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter9/section20-158/",
      "quote": "A donor is not the parent of a child conceived through assisted conception, unless the donor is the spouse of the gestational mother."
    },
    {
      "label": "Bruce v. Boardwine, 64 Va. App. 599, 770 S.E.2d 774 (2015)",
      "url": "/legal/opinions/US-VA-Bruce-v-Boardwine-2015-1250-14-3.pdf",
      "quote": "The plain meaning of the term \u201cmedical technology\u201d does not encompass a kitchen implement such as a turkey baster. \u2026 Relying on the plain language of Code \u00a7 20-156, we conclude that the assisted conception statute does not apply to Boardwine.",
      "official_url": "https://www.vacourts.gov/opinions/opncavwp/1250143.pdf"
    },
    {
      "label": "L.F. v. Breit, 285 Va. 163, 736 S.E.2d 711 (2013)",
      "url": "/legal/opinions/US-VA-LF-v-Breit-2013-120158.pdf",
      "quote": "Code \u00a7 20-158(A)(3) provides that \u201c[a] donor is not the parent of a child conceived through assisted conception, unless the donor is the husband of the gestational mother.\u201d \u2026 [T]he statute\u2019s primary purpose is to protect cohesive family units from claims of third-party intruders who served as mere donors. But Breit is not an intruder.",
      "official_url": "https://www.vacourts.gov/opinions/opnscvwp/1120158.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "emerging_law_note": "Correct Boardwine cite is Va. Ct. App. 2015 (not a 2011 Supreme Court decision). Always re-read current official code; definitions of \u201cdonor\u201d and \u201cassisted conception\u201d control.",
  "page": "/Pages/US/VA/va.html",
  "region_group": "US",
  "status_badges": {
    "AI-Single": "Banned",
    "AI-Married": "Banned",
    "NI": "Banned",
    "Contract": "Unknown"
  }
}