SURROGACY BY COUNTRY

Surrogacy By Country

A key question for many is where to access surrogacy. If it is legal in your country and you can afford it and can locate a suitable surrogate, surrogacy in your home country is the ideal option. (see Countries Allowing Surrogacy)

Before choosing a destination, find out

  1. What legal protections if any does the jurisdiction offer to intended parents and surrogates?
  2. Is transfer of legal parentage available in the jurisdiction in question?
  3. What are the eligibility criteria for surrogacy (Do you need to be a citzen of that country? Is it available to single men? Gay couples? Unmarried heterosexual couples?)
  4. How long are the exit requirements post birth?
  5. Is surrogate compensation allowed?
  6. Is Health insurance available for the surrogate and any post birth complications?
  7. Are contracts legally enforceable?
  8. What Neo-Natal Intensive Care Facilities are available?
  9. What do these cost?
  10. Can the intended parent(s) be present at the birth?

Regulatory Issues which may be relevant

  1. Is there a Medical Registry for updating the medical history of the surrogates or the children?
  2. Is there a registry for the surrogate and children to exchange information when the child reaches maturity?

The table below lists issues related to surrogacy in various countries which allow it.

CountryLimitationsEgg Donors
AUSTRALIAAltruistic surrogacy only available. No donor or surrogate matching available. Advertising for surrogates not legal. All donors must be identified

 

Ethics committee approval often required. Foreigners cannot access surrogacy in Australia

User groups such as www.eggdonationaustralia.com.au can provide
CANADAAltruistic surrogacy only available. Foreigners can access surrogacyvia seperate Egg donor providers
GREECEHeterosexual couples and single females eligible. Foreign nationals allowed to engage. Surrogate cannot be compensated beyond out-of-pocket expensesDonors, if required, must be anonymous. Eggs/embryos/sperm are able to be shipped directly from your registered clinic.
GEORGIACompensated surrogacy available  to heterosexual couples, including foreigners. Legal protections in place 
INDIAOnly available for Indian residentsIn-country donors are anonymous however donor photos may be available other details provided: age, height, weight, previous donation history, children, blood group, education level/ occupation
ISRAELAltruistic surrogacy available only to heterosexual Israeli residents 
KENYACompensated surrogacy available to locals and foreigners. No legal protection 
LAOS Compensated Surrogacy available  to foreigners. Gestation & birth occurs in Thailand. No legal protection 
MEXICO Tabasco state closed to surrogacy. Other states have no legal protections. Embryo transfer occurs in Cancun or Mexico City oftenCaucasian and Latin Sperm and Egg Donors available. Possible to bring your own surrogate and /or known donor. No waiting list
NIGERIAAltruistic and commercial surrogacy available to Nigerian heterosexual residentsEgg donors available
SOUTH AFRICAAltruistic surrogacy available to heterosexual South African residents 
THAILANDOnly available altruistically to Thai residents 
UKAltruistic surrogacy only available. Advertising for surrogates not legal foreigners cannot access surrogacy in UK 
UKRAINEOnly heterosexual married couplesCaucasian, offer photos with family history, occupation/ area of study, previous donor history and physical details.
USAGay and heterosexual foreigners can access surrogacy here see surrogacy laws by US stateVery wide range available from donor agencies or privately

 

CountryApprox Costs($US)Donor & Surrogate screeningYears ExperienceLegal Issues
AUSTRALIAIVF: $25,000
Expenses: $10,000
Legals & counselling: $22,000
Donor screening offered only if through an egg bank<5 yearsTransfer of legal parentage available 4-6 months post birth if uncompensated surrogacy used domestically.
GEORGIAIVF: $8,500
Surrogacy: $26,000 +
Local egg donor
add $5,000 +
according to age, genetics and lifestyle, mental and physical health 10 yearsIntended Parents named on birth certificate to meet the criteria of countries such as the UK, single surrogates are available and DNA testing is available
CANADA$90,000 >15 years Transfer of parentage. Canadian passport available
KENYA$50,000 <3 years No legal protection
UK Surrogacy UK, COTS>15 yearsTransfer of legal parentage available
USAIVF costs: $25,000
Surrogacy: $68,000
Other costs: $20,000
Varies by agency30 yearsParents names on the BC as mother and father
UKRAINEIVF: $8,500
Surrogacy: $26,000 +
Local egg donor
add $5,000 +
according to age, genetics and lifestyle, mental and physical health~5 yearsIntended Parents named on birth certificate to meet the criteria of countries such as the UK, single surrogates are available and DNA testing is available. No eligibility for Ukraine citizenship
GREECEIVF: $20,100
Surrogacy: $44,000
Legals: $10,000+
Local egg donor: $1,360
 10+ yearsRecently opened up to foreigners
Parents names on the BC as mother and father. Court case prior to IVF ensures transfer of parentage occurs before embryo transfer
MEXICO$80,000 (incl US egg donor)unknown<1 year