Surrogacy
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is the process by which another woman carries a baby for an infertile or gay couple. There are two types of surrogacy, straight and host.
Straight (tradional) surrogacy:
The surrogate mother uses her own egg fertilised with the intended father's sperm. This can be done using artificial insemination either at home or at a ferility clinic.
Host IVF (gestational) surrogacy:
The surrogate mother carries the parent's genetic child, conceived by invitro-fertilisation (IVF) in a fertility clinic, for this treatment, the genetic mother would need functional ovaries. The IVF clinic would create an embryo from the intended parent's pserm and eggs and place into the surrogates womb.
Is surrogacy legal in the uk?
Surrogacy is legal in the UK, however it is restricted by certain legal rules, which only allows arrangements that are informal and non-commercial. There must be no money changing hands other than any reasonable expenses.
Can I advertise for a surrogate?
No, it is a criminal offence to negotiate a surrogacy arrangement on a commercial basis. Therefore adverts asking for surrogacy or those advertising themselves as surrogates are strictly not allowed on any part of our Pride Angel website, to include profiles, internal mail and the forum.
How can I find a surrogate?
The law has recently changed to clarify that non-profit organisations (such as COTS and Surrogacy UK) can legally help in arranging surrogacy agreements, even though they charge membership fees.
What is the law on surrogacy agreements?
It is not possible to enter into a legally binding agreement in the UK. This means that the surrogate mother can choose to keep the child, against the wishes of the intended parents. It does not mean that , if a surrogate mother changes her mind, that the intended parents can not make a claim. The courts look at each case individually and may allow the intended father or parents to apply for a residence order.
Where can I find information on finding or becoming a surrogate?
We recommend using services such as Surrogacy UK and COTS, see the following links:
The British Surrogacy Centre
“The team behind BSC have been involved in surrogacy and egg donation since 1994 and over half of our team members have been through the process of surrogacy and egg donation themselves. Over just the past 8 years, we have matched over 35 couples and singles with surrogates, both traditional and gestational, and with egg donors, producing 45 babies! All of these couples have been matched with surrogates in the USA. Now with recent law changes in the UK and the positive encouragement from the UK community as a whole, we bring you The British Surrogacy Centre, dedicated to building families of the future and giving ordinary people the chance to have a family of their own. Our aim is to help you through the process of your surrogacy, egg donor, sperm donation or co-parenting arrangement. To help answer the million questions in your head and to guide you to the end result, taking your baby home.”
www.britishsurrogacycentre.com
Surrogacy UK
Organisation offering support and information to anyone with an interest in surrogacy within the UK
www.surrogacyuk.org
COTS - Childlessness overcome through surrogacy
Information on surrogacy within the UK
www.surrogacy.org.uk