Surrogacy in the UK: A Complete Guide for Intended Parents
Surrogacy in the UK offers a pathway to parenthood rooted in collaboration, compassion and careful safeguarding. Whether you’re here because carrying a pregnancy isn’t possible, you’re a male same-sex couple, or you’ve been advised to explore alternative family-building routes, this guide brings together the laws, timelines, costs and practical steps so you can move forward with confidence.
Author
Tassia O’Callaghan
Reviewed by
Kayleigh Hartigan
19 min read
Spotlight:
- Surrogacy in the UK is legal, ethical and based on an altruistic model where surrogates receive reasonable expenses rather than commercial payment.
- The surrogate is the legal parent at birth; intended parents gain legal parenthood through a Parental Order after delivery.
- UK surrogacy pathways include working with a surrogacy organisation, independent matching or treatment via a surrogacy-experienced fertility clinic.
- Most journeys take 15–24 months from preparation to Parental Order, with surrogate matching often taking the longest stage.
- Total costs usually sit between £15,000 and £30,000, depending on treatment needs, donor use and the surrogate’s expenses.
- Surrogacy supports diverse family structures, including people with medical conditions, LGBTQ+ parents and those unable to carry a pregnancy.
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a family-building option where one person (the surrogate) carries and gives birth to a baby for the intended parent or parents. Depending on medical needs and personal preferences, the embryo is created using either the intended parents’ gametes or donor eggs or sperm. Surrogacy supports people across many backgrounds, including those who cannot carry a pregnancy for medical reasons and those who are building a family without a uterus. [1]
Types of surrogacy
Understanding the types of surrogacy helps you see which pathway aligns with your medical background, your family structure and the support you want along the way. Each approach comes with different legal, emotional and clinical considerations, so it’s worth taking a moment to understand how they differ before you move forward. This clarity gives you a stronger foundation for the decisions ahead and helps you feel prepared for the conversations you’ll have with your clinic and your potential surrogate.
Gestational surrogacy (most common today)
Gestational surrogacy is the pathway most intended parents follow in the UK. It uses IVF to create an embryo from the intended parents’ eggs and sperm, or from donor gametes when needed. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate, who carries the pregnancy but has no genetic link to the baby. [1]
This model is the standard approach in UK clinics and surrogacy organisations because it provides clear emotional and legal boundaries from the outset. Everyone involved understands their role, their rights and their responsibilities, and the journey is shaped around shared expectations and transparent communication. For many intended parents, this structure offers a strong sense of security as they plan their family-building path.
Traditional surrogacy
Traditional surrogacy is a different pathway, where the surrogate’s own egg is used to create the pregnancy. This means the surrogate is genetically related to the baby, which adds an additional layer of emotional and legal consideration. [1]
While it can be a meaningful option for some families, traditional surrogacy is far less common in the UK today. Anyone exploring this route benefits from specialist legal advice and dedicated implications counselling, helping everyone understand the potential complexities and ensuring the arrangement is entered into with clarity, confidence and shared trust.
Altruistic surrogacy in the UK
Altruistic surrogacy is at the heart of how surrogacy works in the UK. The law allows surrogates to receive reasonable expenses related to the pregnancy, but not payment beyond that. This creates a model grounded in mutual respect, shared values and informed consent, rather than financial incentive. Many intended parents find reassurance in this framework because it encourages thoughtful decision-making and trust between everyone involved. [2]
In practice, altruistic surrogacy often leads to strong, long-term relationships between surrogates and intended parents. The process begins with open conversations, counselling and clarity about expectations, so everyone can move forward with confidence. Expenses are discussed transparently, covering areas such as maternity clothing, travel, childcare and loss of earnings, and these are agreed in advance to avoid uncertainty later on.
Routes to surrogacy in the UK
All surrogacy arrangements in the UK must follow the same legal framework, yet there are several ways to find and work with a surrogate. Each route involves counselling, screening and careful planning.
Fertility clinics
Fertility clinics perform the medical components of the surrogacy journey, including screening, IVF treatment, embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring. Surrogacy-experienced clinics are familiar with the UK’s legal requirements and have established pathways for both intended parents and surrogates.
Surrogacy organisations and non-profit networks
Many intended parents choose established UK surrogacy organisations because they provide education and preparation sessions, safeguarding-led membership processes, structured opportunities to meet potential surrogates, and ongoing community support that helps everyone feel informed and connected. These organisations also offer guidance throughout the journey, giving intended parents and surrogates a clear framework to follow. Some of the most popular surrogacy organisations are Surrogacy UK, Brilliant Beginnings, and My Surrogacy Journey. They don’t operate as commercial agencies; instead, they facilitate introductions and offer structured support within the UK’s altruistic surrogacy laws. [1]
Independent surrogacy
Independent surrogacy involves intended parents and a surrogate connecting without going through a membership organisation. This pathway can sometimes move more quickly, particularly when people meet through personal networks, online communities or support forums. It does require more self-management, with clear expectations set from the start, legal advice obtained before treatment begins, counselling to explore the emotional and practical implications, and transparent documentation of anticipated expenses. Intended parents who pursue independent matching usually find that working with experienced counsellors and lawyers provides valuable structure and helps everyone feel supported and protected throughout the process.
Surrogacy in the UK vs surrogacy abroad
Many intended parents begin by exploring how to start the surrogacy process in the UK, and then compare timelines and structures abroad. Understanding the differences helps clarify which route aligns with your needs.
Why some families consider overseas surrogacy
Countries like the USA and Canada operate with clear, pre-birth parentage frameworks, meaning intended parents can be recognised legally before the baby is born. Surrogate availability is often higher, and matching can be quicker than UK wait times. However, overseas surrogacy is considerably more expensive, especially in the USA, where journeys often exceed £135,000–£225,000.
Why many people still choose to stay in the UK
The UK offers strong safeguarding, a collaborative community culture, and significantly lower costs. Many intended parents prefer local care, ongoing communication, and shared decision-making through pregnancy and birth. Even with longer wait times, UK surrogacy remains a trusted pathway for intended parents seeking continuity and stability.
Surrogacy in the USA: What UK & European Intended Parents Need to Know
Surrogacy in the USA is one of the most trusted and clearly regulated routes for international surrogacy, giving UK and European parents a sense of stability from the start.
Who might start surrogacy in the UK?
Surrogacy supports a wide range of intended parents, and each person arrives at this pathway with their own history, needs and hopes for the future. The UK framework is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that surrogacy remains a viable and protected option for many different family structures. People who explore surrogacy often include:
- People with medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe: This can include conditions such as severe cardiac disease, pulmonary hypertension or active cancer treatment. Surrogacy offers a medically safer alternative when pregnancy would pose a serious risk to the intended parent’s health. [3,4]
- People who do not have a uterus: Those born without a uterus (such as with MRKH syndrome) or who have had a hysterectomy due to illness or emergency may turn to surrogacy as their clearest route to parenthood using their own gametes or donor eggs. [5,6]
- People experiencing repeated pregnancy loss or severe uterine conditions: Intended parents with conditions such as Asherman’s Syndrome, repeated implantation failure or recurrent miscarriage may consider surrogacy when treatment options have been exhausted or when carrying a pregnancy is no longer advised. [7]
- Male same-sex couples: Surrogacy provides a structured and legally recognised route to parenthood for gay couples who plan to grow their family using donor eggs and a gestational surrogate. Many choose to create embryos with sperm from one or both partners. [8]
- Single intended parents who cannot carry a pregnancy: Single parents building their families through surrogacy may use their own gametes or donor eggs or sperm, depending on their medical background and personal circumstances.
Each of these paths is valid, and UK surrogacy law is designed to support people across these diverse backgrounds. The focus is on safeguarding, clarity and empowering intended parents to make informed choices that align with their health and family goals.
Is surrogacy legal in the UK?
Yes, surrogacy is legal in the UK, and the laws have been designed to protect everyone involved and create a clear, ethical framework for family building. Understanding surrogacy laws in the UK helps you move forward with confidence, knowing exactly how parenthood is recognised and what each stage of the process requires.
UK law permits altruistic surrogacy, which means surrogates can receive reasonable, documented expenses but not commercial payment. Advertising for surrogates or intended parents is restricted, and the surrogate is the legal parent at birth, even if she has no genetic link to the baby. Intended parents gain legal parenthood through a Parental Order after the birth, and this can only be granted with the surrogate’s consent and, where relevant, the consent of her partner. Both sides must have counselling before treatment begins, ensuring that everyone has space to reflect on the emotional, ethical and practical aspects of the journey. [9]
Is commercial surrogacy allowed in the UK?
No. The law allows only altruistic surrogacy. Surrogates can receive documented, reasonable expenses (commonly between £10,000 and £15,000, according to a report by Surrogacy UK). These expenses cover loss of earnings, maternity clothing, travel, childcare and pregnancy-related costs. [10]
The UK surrogacy process
Intended parents often wonder how to start the surrogacy process in the UK, and while every journey is personal, the overall structure is consistent across clinics and organisations. Each stage is designed to support informed decision-making, emotional preparedness and legal clarity. Understanding these steps early on helps you anticipate what comes next and feel more confident as you move forward. [1,8,11,12]
1. Understand the legal framework
The first stage focuses on learning how UK surrogacy law works, especially around legal parenthood, expenses and consent. Many intended parents choose to speak with a solicitor early, as even a short consultation can offer a strong baseline understanding. This clarity is important because it sets realistic expectations before you begin meeting surrogates, clinics or organisations. It also helps you understand your responsibilities and rights throughout the journey.
2. Choose your surrogacy route
At this point, you decide whether to work with a surrogacy organisation, pursue independent matching or begin directly with a clinic. Each route offers different levels of structure, community and support, so the right choice depends on how guided you want the process to feel. Some intended parents prefer the consistency and values-based approach of organisations, while others are drawn to the flexibility of independent matching. Exploring all three options helps you choose the environment that aligns with your comfort, timeline and budget.
3. Complete initial medical screenings
Medical screening is essential for everyone involved, ensuring that the surrogate, intended parents and embryos have the best possible chance of a safe and healthy outcome. Clinics typically carry out blood tests, health assessments and fertility investigations before giving medical clearance. This stage can feel clinical, but it provides a strong foundation for the next steps in treatment. It also gives everyone the reassurance that the journey is being approached safely and responsibly.
4. Counselling and implications sessions
Implications counselling is required by UK law, but most intended parents describe it as valuable rather than procedural. These sessions explore expectations, boundaries and the emotional realities of surrogacy from all perspectives. Counselling creates space to discuss communication styles, decision-making and how everyone hopes the relationship will evolve. By the end of this stage, most intended parents feel more grounded and aligned with what the journey will involve.
5. Matching with a surrogate
Matching is often one of the most meaningful stages in the process. Within surrogacy organisations, relationships are built gradually through social events, conversations and shared values, which helps everyone feel connected before making any commitments. Independent matching follows a different rhythm but still prioritises trust and open communication. Many intended parents find that spending real time getting to know their surrogate and her family sets the tone for a supportive, collaborative journey.
6. Agreeing the pathway and documenting expenses
Once a match feels right, the next step is to agree on how you’ll work together throughout the pregnancy. This includes discussing communication preferences, involvement in scans and birth planning, and documenting the surrogate’s reasonable expenses. Although these agreements are not legally binding, they offer stability and shared expectations. Many intended parents say this stage gives them a sense of structure and partnership as treatment begins.
7. Embryo creation and treatment planning
If you already have embryos, the process moves straight into treatment planning. If not, you’ll undergo IVF using your own or donor gametes, depending on what’s medically appropriate. Clinics then synchronise the surrogate’s cycle with the embryo transfer timeline, ensuring all medical conditions are right for treatment. It’s a coordinated effort that relies on good communication between the clinic, the surrogate and the intended parents.
8. Pregnancy, communication, and check-ins
During pregnancy, clinics and maternity teams oversee the surrogate’s care while intended parents stay closely informed throughout. Scan updates, wellbeing check-ins and ongoing conversations help everyone feel included and supported. Many intended parents describe this stage as a true partnership, shaped by trust, openness and shared excitement. The goal is always to keep communication clear and to honour the surrogate’s wellbeing throughout the journey.
9. Birth planning
Birth planning brings together the surrogate, intended parents and maternity team to ensure everyone understands their role and preferences on the day. NHS maternity care supports the surrogate through labour and delivery, and clear communication helps avoid uncertainty. Discussing practical details in advance helps both the surrogate and intended parents feel ready and supported. This collaborative planning strengthens trust and smooths the transition into parenthood.
10. Applying for a Parental Order
After the birth, the final legal step is applying for a Parental Order, which transfers legal parenthood to the intended parents. This process includes safeguarding checks and court paperwork, and it usually takes several months to complete. Although the timeline can feel long, most intended parents describe it as straightforward and well supported by their legal teams. Once granted, the Parental Order confirms the intended parents as the child’s legal parents for life.
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How long does the surrogacy process take in the UK?
The full surrogacy process usually spans 15 to 24 months, depending on your route, treatment needs and how quickly embryos are created. The journey includes several defined steps: medical screening, implications counselling, matching, treatment planning, embryo creation (if needed), pregnancy, birth and finally the Parental Order process.
If embryos already exist, treatment can begin sooner. If IVF or donor gametes are needed, the timeline lengthens because of clinic availability, treatment cycles and legal counselling requirements. Once pregnancy is confirmed, the clinical side of the process follows standard antenatal timelines. The Parental Order stage typically adds several months after birth, meaning the overall journey continues beyond delivery.
What is the wait time for surrogacy in the UK?
Wait times refer specifically to how long it takes to be matched with a surrogate and to secure the clinical appointments needed to begin treatment. Most intended parents experience 12 to 24 months of waiting before reaching the treatment stage.
UK surrogacy organisations often operate with structured membership processes and limited surrogate availability, which contributes to longer wait times. Independent matching can sometimes move more quickly, although this depends on personal networks, online communities and the availability of surrogates who meet clinic criteria.
Clinical wait times vary widely across the country. Some fertility clinics have short timelines for screening and treatment planning, while others have several-month waits for initial appointments, especially in cities with higher demand. NHS fertility pathways add further variation: eligibility criteria differ by region, and even when eligible, appointments and investigations may be delayed by local capacity.
Taken together, these factors mean that intended parents often wait a year or more before treatment begins, especially when navigating both organisation membership and clinic timelines simultaneously.
How much does surrogacy cost in the UK?
Surrogacy in the UK involves several separate cost areas: fertility treatment, surrogate-related expenses, legal support and any additional medical needs such as donor eggs or donor sperm. Some intended parents may access NHS-funded IVF depending on eligibility, but the surrogacy journey itself still includes private, out-of-pocket costs. Understanding the full picture helps you plan realistically and avoid unexpected fees later on. [1,10,13]
Most UK surrogacy journeys fall between £15,000 and £30,000, depending on the number of treatment cycles, whether donor gametes are needed and the surrogate’s individual circumstances. The UK’s altruistic model keeps costs significantly lower than international options, while still providing a strong legal and emotional framework for everyone involved.
| Cost category | Average cost | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| IVF cycle (with medication) | £6,939 | £4,000 – £9,000 |
| IUI cycle | £1,265 | £550 – £2,310 |
| Surrogate reasonable expenses | £17,000 | £15,000 – £20,000+ |
| Legal support (Parental Order and advice) | £2,500 | £1,500 – £4,000 |
| Donor sperm | £1,230 | £1,000 – £2,500+ |
| Donor eggs | £3,435 | £2,000 – £6,000 |
| Additional screening & fertility tests | £549 | £170 – £835 |
| Pregnancy-related insurance or additional cover | £1,250 | £500 – £2,000 |
| Total for IVF surrogate journey (own egg + own sperm) | £28,238 | £20,000 – £40,000 |
| Total for IVF surrogate journey (surrogate egg + own sperm) | £28,238 | £20,000 – £40,000 |
| Total for IVF journey (own egg + sperm donor) | £29,468 | £20,500 – £42,000 |
| Total for IVF surrogate journey (donor egg + donor sperm) | £32,903 | £22,500 – £48,000 |
| Total for IUI journey (surrogate egg + own sperm) | £22,564 | £17,000 – £29,500 |
| Total for IUI journey (surrogate egg + donor sperm) | £23,794 | £18,000 – £32,000 |
How much does surrogacy cost with insurance in the UK?
Private medical insurance rarely covers surrogacy-related costs, even when fertility treatment forms part of the journey. Most insurers classify surrogacy as a personal family-building choice rather than a medical necessity, which means the pathway sits outside the scope of standard health coverage. Some policies may contribute to investigations or fertility testing for the intended parent, and in a few cases, part of an IVF cycle may be supported if it’s considered clinically indicated.
However, insurance doesn’t extend to treatment for the surrogate, embryo transfer, pregnancy care or any of the practical elements that shape a surrogacy journey. For this reason, intended parents planning ahead often find it helpful to assume that surrogacy will be funded privately and treat any small contributions from insurers as supportive rather than central to their budget.
Is surrogacy available on the NHS?
Surrogacy itself isn’t funded by the NHS, but some intended parents can access NHS-funded fertility treatment if they meet their local ICB criteria. This usually applies when using your own eggs or sperm, or when donor gametes are medically indicated. Even when IVF is funded, the wider surrogacy pathway still carries private costs. The NHS does not cover surrogate expenses, and any additional screening needed for the intended parents or the surrogate may also need to be arranged privately. [8,14]
The surrogate’s maternity care, however, is fully supported by the NHS in the same way as any other pregnancy. Many families find they move between NHS and private care depending on what they’re eligible for, creating a blended pathway that reflects both their clinical needs and their financial planning. This mix-and-match approach is common and can offer a reassuring sense of structure as you move through each stage of the journey.
Is surrogacy free in the UK?
No. Even when IVF is available through the NHS, surrogate expenses and most pathway costs are privately funded. While NHS support can help with elements of the medical process, it doesn’t remove the financial responsibility that comes with coordinating a surrogacy journey.
How to find a surrogate in the UK
Finding a surrogate is one of the most personal stages of the journey, and the right route will depend on the type of connection and support you’re looking for. Many intended parents choose to join a UK surrogacy organisation, where introductions happen within a structured, values-led community. Others prefer independent matching, using online groups or existing networks to build relationships in a more flexible way. Some families explore surrogacy with someone they already know, such as a friend or relative who feels aligned with their hopes for the process.
Whichever path you follow, taking early legal advice and accessing implications counselling helps set the foundation for a safe, respectful and transparent arrangement. These conversations ensure everyone understands their role, the boundaries of UK law and the expectations that shape a positive surrogacy partnership.
Choosing a surrogacy-friendly fertility clinic in the UK
Choosing the right fertility clinic is a defining part of your surrogacy journey, shaping not only the medical side of treatment but also how supported and informed you feel along the way. A surrogacy-ready clinic will guide you through the legal considerations, carry out detailed screening for everyone involved and help you understand the treatment pathway that fits your circumstances. It should also offer clarity around donor options, embryo creation, and the practicalities that sit behind a smooth and safe process. Above all, the clinic you choose should communicate openly, set realistic expectations and make space for your questions at every stage.
Every clinic has its own culture. Some take a more intimate, boutique approach, while others operate as large, research-led centres with deep clinical expertise. What matters is finding a team that aligns with your values and provides the level of structure, transparency and support you need. Looking at real patient feedback and verified outcomes can help you compare clinics with confidence and understand how each one supports surrogacy patients in practice.
Surrogacy is a significant step, and you don’t need to navigate these decisions alone. If you’d like personalised guidance on choosing a clinic that fits your medical background, budget and timeline, you can book a free call with our fertility expert.
Sources
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