Surrogacy laws vary significantly around the world — what’s allowed in one country may be restricted or even prohibited in another. For intended parents exploring international options, understanding these differences is crucial to ensuring a safe and legally sound journey.

1. Global Variations in Legality
Some countries, like the United States and Canada, have established legal frameworks for surrogacy, while others, such as France or Germany, restrict or ban the practice altogether. Nations like Ukraine and Georgia have long been known for their regulated surrogacy programs, particularly for heterosexual couples.

2. Commercial vs. Altruistic Surrogacy

• Commercial surrogacy allows compensation beyond medical expenses. It’s legal in some U.S. states and countries like Ukraine.
• Altruistic surrogacy limits payments to reasonable reimbursements. This model is permitted in places such as Australia, the UK, and Canada.

3. Citizenship and Parental Rights
A key challenge in cross-border surrogacy involves the baby’s citizenship and legal parentage. Intended parents may face complex legal processes to establish parental rights or bring their baby home.

4. How Lifis Supports Compliance
Lifis partners only with legally authorized clinics and agencies worldwide. Our team helps clients understand and comply with the laws of both the surrogate’s country and the intended parents’ home country, ensuring clarity from start to finish.

By navigating surrogacy laws responsibly, Lifis protects the integrity of every family we help create.