Surrogacy in the UK: A Comprehensive 2025 Guide for Intended Parents

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

Surrogacy in the UK is a legal but complex process, primarily governed by The Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 and The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. Unlike some international destinations, the UK only allows altruistic surrogacy, meaning surrogates cannot be paid beyond reasonable expenses.

This guide covers everything intended parents need to know, including legal processes, costs, parental orders, and available alternatives.

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  However, the legal framework for UK surrogacy is outdated and does not provide adequate protection to intended parents

 

Key Insight for surrogacy in the United Kingdom:

• Surrogacy became legal in 1985 under the Surrogacy Arrangements Act. 

• At least one parent must be domiciled in the UK. 

• No specific law regulates the UK, but each country has laws. 

• In Scotland, surrogacy is regulated by common law.  There is a current debate about passing surrogacy laws for Scotland.  

• In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, surrogacy contracts are not enforceable, and the surrogate has the right to change her mind.  The surrogate is the child’s legal parent until a Parental Order is finalized (which can only be applied for six months after the birth and with her permission). The court will look at the child’s best interest in a dispute. 

• One parent must be biologically related to the child. 

• Uncompensated surrogacy only, but reasonable expenses can be paid. 

• Agencies and advertising for surrogates are not permitted, but non-profit agencies do exist to help the parties. 

• The Law Commission of England and Wales recently reviewed surrogacy laws and hoped to have a Bill for consideration by Parliament in 2021. 

• In March 2023, the Scottish Law Commission joined the Law Commission of England and Wales to pass unifying laws for surrogacy.  The British government had not yet acted on these recommendations. 

• Surrogacy is an established and thriving business. 

 

Get in touch for  FREE SURROGACY CONSULTING:

Mobile: +91-8800481100  ( WhatsApp, Line, Viber)  

Email: ​neelam@ivfconceptions.com

Web: www.ivfconceptions.com

 

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 agencies in the UK.

Besides this, as per surrogacy laws in the 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

Types of Surrogacy

1. Gestational Surrogacy

• Most common method in the UK
• A surrogate carries an embryo not genetically related to her
• Created using eggs and sperm from intended parents or donors
• Minimizes legal and emotional complications

2. Traditional Surrogacy

• Surrogate uses her own egg
• More complex legal and emotional considerations
• Less common due to potential genetic complications

Finding a surrogate mother in the 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, 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.

Finding a surrogate is one of the biggest challenges for intended parents due to the ban on advertising and low surrogate availability.

Ways to Connect with a Surrogate:

1. UK Surrogacy Agencies – Non-profits like Brilliant Beginnings & Surrogacy UK.
2. Online Forums & Facebook Groups – UK-specific surrogacy communities.
3. Friends or Family – Private surrogacy arrangements.

Challenges in Finding a Surrogate

• Limited Availability – Due to altruistic laws, fewer women become surrogates.
• Long Wait Times – Some intended parents wait 2+ years to match with a surrogate.
• Legal Complexity – Surrogates retain legal rights until a Parental Order is granted.

Challenges in the UK

• No commercial matching services allowed
• Limited advertising restrictions
• Potential for long waiting periods

Recommended Paths to Find a Surrogate

1. Non-profit surrogacy organizations
2. Online surrogacy support groups
3. Personal networks and connections
4. Surrogacy UK support forums

What are the hindrances to the 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

LGBTQ+ couples and single parents can pursue surrogacy in the UK under the same legal framework. However, challenges include:

• Finding a surrogate within UK restrictions.
• Legal complexities if a surrogate is married.
• Alternatives: Many same-sex couples explore international surrogacy in Georgia, Mexico, or the USA.

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.

 

Is surrogacy in the UK legal?

What is the cost of surrogacy in the UK?

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

Costs of Surrogacy in the UK

Although commercial surrogacy is illegal, intended parents cover reasonable expenses for the surrogate.

Estimated Costs:

Expense	Estimated Cost (£)
Surrogate Expenses	8,000 – 20,000
IVF & Fertility Treatments	5,000 – 15,000
Legal Fees	3,000 – 6,000
Parental Order Application	215 (court fee)
Additional Medical Costs	Variable

Total cost varies but generally ranges between £50,000 – £60,000.

 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 reasonable expenses 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 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.

International Surrogacy Alternatives

Due to legal and availability challenges, many UK parents opt for international surrogacy.

Comparison of UK vs. International Surrogacy

Factor	UK	Georgia	Mexico	USA
Legality	Only altruistic	Commercial allowed	Allowed in some states	Legal in many states
Surrogate Availability	Limited	Higher	Moderate	High
Parental Rights	Must apply for Parental Order	Automatic	Requires legal steps	Automatic in most states
Cost (£)	50,000 – 60,000	30,000 – 50,000	45,000 – 65,000	120,000 – 150,000

Why UK Parents Consider International Surrogacy:

✔ Faster process (shorter wait times).

✔ Legal certainty (immediate parental rights in some countries).

✔ More surrogate availability.

✔ Potential cost savings in some destinations.

 

Ethical Considerations while opting for surrogacy abroad for UK couples 

• Informed Consent: Ensure the surrogate is aware of her rights.
• Fair Compensation: Even in altruistic surrogacy, costs should be fairly covered.
• Medical & Psychological Screening: Protect both surrogate and baby’s well-being.

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!ve.

 

Conclusion

Surrogacy in the UK is a legal but complex process requiring patience and legal steps to establish parentage. Given the challenges in finding a surrogate and legal limitations, many UK couples explore international surrogacy options.

Next Steps for Intended Parents:

✔ Consult a UK surrogacy lawyer for legal clarity.

✔ Join surrogacy support groups to find potential matches.

✔ Consider international surrogacy if UK options are limited.

✔ Plan financially for IVF, surrogate expenses, and legal costs.

For expert guidance, contact surrogacy professionals to navigate the journey smoothly.

Get in touch for  FREE SURROGACY CONSULTING:

Mobile: +91-8800481100  ( WhatsApp, Line, Viber)  

Email: ​neelam@ivfconceptions.com

Web: www.ivfconceptions.com

FAQ About Surrogacy in the UK

How much does a surrogate cost in the UK?