In the UK, only altruistic surrogacy is legal. This means the surrogate is the legal parent of the newborn until a parental order (PO) is issued by the courts. Contracts between intended parents (IPs) and the surrogate aren’t legally binding. Until the PO is granted, the surrogate (and her husband, if married) remain the legal parents. It is important to consult an experienced family lawyer who specialises in surrogacy law if you are considering surrogacy in the UK.
UK surrogacy legislation includes specific regulations. For example, advertising for a surrogate or openly searching for one is illegal. This limits the number of surrogates available. Surrogates can only receive ‘reasonable expenses’ for things like pre-natal care, travel, and some postnatal care. Due to the lack of transparency, surrogacy costs can vary, and receipts for expenses aren’t usually required.
On average, surrogacy in the UK costs between £25,000 and £60,000 (USD $30,000 and $75,000) . Although it’s cheaper than the USA, it’s often more expensive than other destinations. Additionally, IPs are usually responsible for managing the entire process themselves.
One intended parent must be genetically related to the baby. This means either the father’s sperm or the mother’s egg (or both) must be used to create the embryo. Double donation, where both egg and sperm are donated, is not allowed.
For more detailed information visit our Surrogacy in the UK page.
For more information on surrogacy destinations around the world, please click on the pink countries in the map:
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