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
Regulatory Issues which may be relevant
The table below lists issues related to surrogacy in various countries which allow it.
Country | Considerations | Eligibility | Experience |
---|---|---|---|
AUSTRALIA | Altruistic. No surrogate matching. Laws protect surrogates right to change her mind Advertising for surrogates not legal Ethics committee approval often required Contracts not enforceable Legal Parentage available |
Australians only, access to gay couples in some states | Limited, ~20 births/year in recent years |
CAMBODIA | Compensated. No laws protecting the rights of surrogates or intended parents Few IVF physicians. Surrogates are from neighbouring countries (Laos, Vietnam, Thailand) |
Foreigners, any sexuality | Very limited |
CANADA | Altruistic. Generous surrogate expenses allowed Only some Canadian provinces |
Canadians and foreigners, any sexuality | 15 years |
CYPRUS-USA | Low-cost IVF destination. Surrogate births cannot occur in Cyprus. Utilised for Hybrid programs Advantageous for EU IPs & American IP’s wanting lower IVF costs |
Foreigners, heterosexual | NA |
GEORGIA | Compensated Surrogacy | heterosexual married couples, Georgians and foreigners | 20 years |
GREECE | Altruistic Surrogacy | heterosexual couples, Greek or foreign | 13 years for Greek citizens, 1 year for foreigners |
KENYA | No surrogacy laws. Indian IVF physicians | Foreigners, any sexuality | <1 year for foreigners |
LAOS | No surrogacy laws | Foreigners, any sexuality | No experience |
INDIA | Compensated Surrogacy. Gender selection unavailable | Indian citizens only | 10 years |
MEXICO | No surrogacy laws. Changes to Tabasco laws has led to decline in US. Hybrid programs with California emerging | Mexicans and foreigners, any sexuality | 4 years |
SOUTH AFRICA | Altruistic surrogacy | South Africans only, any sexuality | ? |
UK | Altruistic surrogacy. Advertising for surrogates not legal | UK Citizens domiciled there only | >15 years |
UKRAINE | Compensated surrogacy | heterosexual married couples – local or foreign | 15 years |
USA | Compensated & altruistic | US and foreign citizens, any sexuality (depending on State) | >30 years in California |