Surrogacy in the UK: How to Navigate the Process Successfully

Surrogacy in the UK| Surrogate Mother Cost in UK| Gay Surrogacy in UK

Surrogacy is an assisted reproductive technique (ART) that enables intended parents to have a child through the help of a surrogate mother (also known as a gestation surrogate mother or carrier). The process involves fertilizing the intended mother’s eggs ( or sometimes egg donor eggs) with the intended father or donor sperm through in In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The resulting embryos and then cultivated till day 5 and transferred to the surrogate’s womb. Gestational surrogacy is a complex and emotionally charged process that requires careful planning, legal guidance, and medical expertise.

In this article, we will provide you with all the information including the legal framework, the process, the costs, and the risks involved. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and ensure a successful surrogacy journey.

There are around 3.5 million infertile couples in the UK who need fertility services to become parents. For many childless couples, surrogacy is the last hope to become parents.  However, the legal framework for UK surrogacy is outdated and does not provide adequate protection to intended parents

In this article, we will cover:

Surrogacy in the UK- An overview

Is surrogacy in the UK legal?

What is the cost of surrogacy in the UK?

FAQs about Surrogacy in the United Kingdom

 

Surrogacy in the UK- An Overview

According to Surrogacy UK laws, Surrogacy is an act of carrying the child by another woman for the intended parents, when the intended parents are unable to have a baby due to any reason.

Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed in the UK, which means the intended parents cannot pay surrogate mothers any financial compensation for their services. Thus, finding a surrogate mother in the UK takes time and there is a long waiting list.

On top of that, the intended parents and surrogate mothers cannot advertise surrogacy services. No surrogacy agency can provide surrogates in the UK, but they can guide, support, and mediate the journey of both parties. Finding private surrogate mothers can take a lot of time as no surrogacy agency in the UK matching is allowed.

Besides this, as per surrogacy laws in UK, the birth mother is the legal mother of the child.  Thus, the surrogate mother, the birth mother, is the legal parent of the surrogate baby, even if she has no genetic link. So, intended parents need to apply for a parental order (like adoption), to get the full legal parentage of the baby.

Types of surrogacies

In the UK, there are two types of surrogacies: traditional and gestational.

In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother uses her own eggs to conceive the child. Thus, she is genetically related to the baby. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother carries an embryo created from the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm. Here, the surrogate is just a carrier. Gestational surrogacy is the more common form of surrogacy, as it eliminates the legal complications that arise when the surrogate mother is genetically related to the child.

If a surrogate mother in the UK is married, it could lead to more complications in terms of getting the legal parentage of the baby by commissioning parents.  As per UK surrogacy laws, if the surrogate has a civil partner, he will be the legal father of the baby even if he has no genetic linkage and no way related to the surrogate process. That is why for UK intended parents single surrogate mother is provided to avoid an over-complicated process after the birth of the baby.

Finding a surrogate mother in UK

Finding a surrogate mother in the UK is challenging, as it is illegal to advertise for a surrogate in the UK.  As altruistic surrogacy is allowed so only real actual costs/ reimbursement is paid to the surrogate mother. Many intended parents find a surrogate through a surrogacy agency or a personal connection. It is important to thoroughly screen potential surrogates to ensure that they are physically and emotionally capable of carrying a child to term.

Intended parents and surrogate mothers in the UK can find each other:

1. Online surrogacy forums in the UK or abroad
2. Via common friends or relative
3. Via a non-profit organization that facilitates the surrogacy journey
4. A Facebook support group or website where both parents and surrogates can enroll themselves.

What are the hindrances to UK surrogacy process?

There are a few obstacles to:

1. The shortage of surrogates: Due to low compensation for surrogates in the country. This results in a long wait time of several years to find a suitable surrogate.
2. Cost of surrogacy in the UK: Surrogacy cost is considerably high when it is compared with European countries like Georgia and Ukraine. The typical cost of surrogacy is between £50,000 to £60,000
3. National Health Service does not cover surrogacy services: This means the intended parents personally need to cover the IVF procedure fee and the surrogate mother and legal fee themselves.
4. UK surrogacy laws are not helpful: UK surrogacy laws, which grant full parental rights to the surrogate, can discourage couples from pursuing surrogacy, as the surrogate has the right to claim the baby if she changes her mind. This can lead to a difficult legal battle for the Intended Parents to gain custody of the child.

Gay surrogacy in the UK

Gay surrogacy in UK has become an increasingly popular option for same-sex couples who wish to start a family. The surrogacy regulations are the same for all family types.  Now, is possible for single parents to apply for a parental order for a baby born via surrogacy journey. There are also legal firms that specialize in LGBT family law and can provide advice and assistance to gay couples pursuing surrogacy.

With the right support and resources, same-sex couples can successfully navigate the surrogacy process and achieve their dream of parenthood in the UK or surrogacy overseas like surrogacy in Mexico and in Colombia.

Ethical consideration of surrogacy

Surrogacy raises ethical considerations, particularly regarding the exploitation of women as surrogates. It is important to ensure that the surrogate mother has given fully informed consent and that she is not being coerced or exploited. In the UK, surrogacy agreements are not legally binding, and the surrogate mother can change her mind about relinquishing the child. It is important for all parties to have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities before embarking on a surrogacy arrangement.

The Surrogacy Process in the UK

The surrogacy process in the UK comprises several stages such as

• Finding a surrogate,
• Undergoing medical screening,
• Fertilization, and embryo transfer.

The intended parents and the surrogate mother must also undergo psychological assessments and legal counseling to ensure that they fully understand the implications of surrogacy and are prepared for the emotional and legal challenges that may arise.

Is surrogacy in the UK legal?

What is the cost of surrogacy in the UK?

The cost of surrogacy in UK can be between £50,000 to £60,000 depending upon the surrogate mother and the type of medical facility you are using.

This total UK Surrogacy Cost consists of: 

• Surrogate mother reimbursement/expense
• IVF process fee paid to the fertility clinic.
• Legal fees for surrogacy agreements and getting the parental order for the baby
• Consulting fee for managing or guiding the surrogacy journey

 Break up of the cost of surrogacy in the UK

#1. Surrogate mother reimbursement

The surrogate mother’s cost is minimal and you just pay the reimbursements as below. Recent court cases have permitted “expense payments” of up to £25,000 GBP to surrogate mothers.

The following are considered the reasonable expense as per UK surrogacy laws–

• Maternity clothes
• Loss of your income and your partner’s income (if incurred).
• Travel costs for attending the clinical appointments.
• Accommodation costs for attending the clinical appointments
• Travel the cost of you and your family if you visit the intended parents.
• A recuperation break for you and the family
• Additional childcare costs that you may need
• Any other cost incurred during the process of surrogacy
• Nutritional items and vitamins will cost extra

 The other costs that intended parents cover include –

• Legal fees
• Counseling support during your surrogacy
• Insurance bills

#2. IVF Clinic fee for a medical procedure like IVF

The medical cost of IVF varies as per the fertility clinics and their location. The average cost of the IVF clinic can be around £25,000.  It does include a collection of sperm and eggs, fertilization, and transfer of embryos in surrogate mothers.  Antenatal pregnancy care and baby delivery are extra. Surrogate pregnancy in the UK is allowed for both couples and singles now.

Some clinics might cover IVF under National Health Services, but there is a long waiting list, and not all surrogacy services are covered by NHS. We recommend you have fertility treatment at a licensed and best surrogacy center in the UK clinic.

Cross-border surrogacy for UK couples

Due to the above limitations, most of the intended parents who need surrogacy services, opt for surrogacy overseas.  Here are a few global surrogacy options that you can consider which are legally secure and affordable.

All-Inclusive Guaranteed Baby Surrogacy Plan in Colombia for gay men surrogacy and single male surrogacy (Bogota) is $65,000

The surrogacy cost in Colombia for the guaranteed baby program (fixed-price programs with unlimited clinic & admin services) is $65,000. Surrogacy in Colombia is the most recommended for same-sex couples or single males due to the AFFORDABLE, LEGALLY SECURE, & ALL-INCLUSIVE GUARANTEED BABY PLAN. Almost 90% of cases, in this new destination, are gay couples who cannot afford high surrogacy costs in the USA.

Learn more: https://www.ivfconceptions.com/surrogacy-in-colombia/

All-Inclusive Guaranteed Baby Surrogacy Plan in Georgia (Tbilisi) is $66,000

The surrogacy cost in Georgia for the guaranteed baby program (fixed-price programs with unlimited clinic & admin services) is $66,000.  Our surrogacy in Georgia program includes unlimited IVF with an egg donor and embryo transfer procedures to a surrogate mother until you have a healthy baby. This program is exceptionally in demand due to its low cost and live baby birth guarantee.  The cost is less than 50% of the typical USA surrogacy cost and is fully legally secure.   Available to married couples with more than one year of marriage.

Learn more:  https://www.ivfconceptions.com/surrogacy-in-georgia/

All Inclusive Guaranteed Egg Donor Surrogacy in Mexico for all family types (Mexico City) is $66,900

The surrogacy cost in Mexico for the guaranteed baby program (fixed-price programs with unlimited clinic & admin services) is $67,000. We are proud to offer the most affordable, secure, and reliable surrogacy programs in Mexico City with the team having more than 13 years of experience in global surrogacy services.

With a new Supreme Court decision in 2021, surrogacy in Mexico is now one of the best options globally for singles and couples of all sexual orientations seeking to have a family through an affordable and legal surrogacy arrangement.

Learn more: https://www.ivfconceptions.com/surrogacy-in-mexico/

If any of the above programs suits you and you wish us to help you in your surrogacy parenthood journey, we are just a click away.  Or else, if you wish to discuss your specific gestational surrogacy case, contact us!

Stop postponing and start your journey Now! Together we can make parenthood possible!

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally,  or the best surrogacy agency in the UK, check out the rest of our website at IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy services to build families with love.

FAQ About Surrogacy in the UK

How much does a surrogate cost in the UK?