Surrogacy Law.

Surrogacy Laws & Legal Advice.

If you are considering conceiving a child with the help of a surrogate, there are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account.

The family law specialists at Lanyon Bowdler are able to provide the expert legal advice and support you need to help make your dreams of having a family a reality.

We have helped many clients in similar situations and are able to help you too. For more information about the service we provide, contact us today and speak to us in confidence.

About Surrogacy

The number of people seeking the help of surrogates to start or expand their family is increasing but there are a number of legal issues that need careful thought and consideration.

It is imperative you take the right legal advice from specialist lawyers who will protect your rights and interests throughout what can be a challenging and emotional process.

The two types of surrogacy arrangement are:

Traditional Surrogacy

Also known as straight or natural surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is fertilised by the sperm of the intended father or a donor by intrauterine insemination (IUI). The surrogate will therefore be biologically related to the child.

Gestational Surrogacy

Also known as host surrogacy, the egg and sperm of the intended parents are fertilised outside of the womb by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) before being implanted into the surrogate. A donor egg and/or sperm can also be used. As it is the mother’s or a donor’s eggs that are used, there is no biological connection between the surrogate and the child, although the birth mother is still legally recognised as the child’s parent at birth.

Legal parenthood must always be transferred from the birth mother to the intended parent(s) by a court order to conclude the surrogacy process, and we can assist with this so that you are recognised as your child’s legal parent without complication or delay.

Our Surrogacy Arrangements Expertise

Our experienced solicitors are very knowledgeable around the surrogacy law. Get in touch today and we would be more than happy to help.

Why choose Lanyon Bowdler's surrogacy & family law specialists?

We will take the time to get to know you and make sure we fully understand your individual circumstances. This enables us to provide you with a fully bespoke and personal service to give you the best chance of securing the positive outcome you deserve.

We are widely recognised as one of the region’s leading full service law firms and are accredited by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, for the outstanding legal and customer service that we provide to all of our clients.

Your Surrogacy Law questions answered

What does the law around surrogacy say?

In the law in England and Wales, both traditional and gestational surrogacy are permitted but there are certain restrictions. Under these laws, surrogacy cannot be used for commercial gain, meaning that it is illegal to advertise both for and as a surrogate. It is also against the law to make or accept payment for surrogacy services although reasonable expenses can be covered.

Any agreement made between a surrogate and the intended parent(s) is not legally binding or enforceable and a court intervention following the child’s birth will be required to transfer legal parenthood and parental responsibility. This will be done by either a parental order or adoption.

Who are the legal parents in surrogacy?

When a surrogate gives birth, she is legally the child’s mother and will, therefore, be named on the child’s birth certificate along with the second legal parent until it is replaced by a parental order or adoption certificate.

The second legal parent named on the birth certificate will depend on a number of factors including whether they are the child’s biological father.

Everyone’s situation is different but we are able to help you understand your own unique position and can advise on how to transfer legal rights and parental responsibility for your child.

Parental responsibility simply means all the legal duties and obligations that parents have for their children to provide a safe home, meet their needs, ensure proper arrangements for their care and education and make key decisions on their behalf such as:

  • Their name
  • Where they will go school
  • The medical treatment they need
  • Consenting to school and extra-curricular activities
  • Travelling abroad
  • Their religion, while also ensuring they are aware of the religious cultures and backgrounds of all those with parental responsibility

If for any reason, neither a parental or an adoption order can be made, the surrogate will continue to be the child’s legal mother and the court will have to agree on parental responsibility in a different way.

How do I apply for a parental order after surrogacy?

Most parents of a child born through surrogacy obtain legal parenthood through a parental order. This passes all legal rights and obligations for the child onto the intended parent(s) and permanently ends the legal relationship between the surrogate and the child.

An application for a parental order must be made within six months of the child’s birth. In order to apply the intended parent(s) must meet all the criteria laid out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008:

  • The intended parent(s) must be 18 years of age or over.
  • The intended parent(s) must live permanently in the UK.
  • Conception must have taken place as a result of artificial insemination such as IUI or IVF.
  • Single applicants must be biologically related to the child and at least one of the intended parents, where the applicants are a couple, must be biologically related to the child.
  • In cases where there are two intended parents, they must be in what is considered an ‘enduring family relationship’. This would include a couple living together as partners, those who are married and those who are in a civil partnership.
  • No payments, beyond reasonable expenses, have been made.

The process for obtaining a parental order following a surrogate birth is usually straightforward and you will be required to:

  • Complete and submit an initial application form.
  • Attend the first court hearing to establish the information required by the court.
  • Obtain the necessary consent from the surrogate and, if necessary, her spouse or civil partner, once the baby has reached six weeks of age. Prepare a witness statement.
  • Undergo an assessment carried out by a CAFCASS (Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Officer by the court.
  • Attend further court hearings for a final decision.

The court will consider all the circumstances surrounding each individual surrogacy arrangement carefully and will always act in the child’s best interests when deciding whether to grant a parental order. In most cases, however, securing the legal relationship between the child and their intended parents is the best course of action.

Do I need to apply for adoption after surrogacy?

The time limit for applying for a parental order following a surrogate pregnancy and birth is six months. After that time an adoption order is generally the only option and a regulated adoption agency must become involved. An adoption order will also be required if both the egg and sperm used have come from donors, as neither of the intended parents are genetically or biologically related to the child.

An adoption order will sever the legal relationship between a child and their birth parents and transfer full, permanent legal responsibility to the adoptive parents.

In order to adopt, you must be over the age of 21 and live permanently in the UK. You can be single, married, in a civil partnership or living with your partner and can apply for the adoption order as a single applicant or as a couple.

We can provide advice and support and will help you with the entire legal process to guarantee the full legal rights and protections for your family.

What if I am not eligible for a parental or adoption order following surrogacy?

In instances where the intended parents are not eligible for either a parental or adoption order, there are other court orders, which can be explored:

  • Special Guardianship: Special guardianship is granted by the court to those it feels are best placed to care for the child until they reach the age of 18. A special guardian can override decisions made by any others who may also hold parental responsibility if they believe it is in the child’s best interests.
  • Child Arrangement OrderA child arrangement order details with whom a child should live and who should have parental responsibility for them. It can also include information about any contact arrangements the child should have with other adults including biological family.
  • Specific Issue and Prohibited Steps Order: These are designed to address particular matters relating to the upbringing of a child, detailing what action can and cannot be taken.
  • Wardship: A child can be made a ward of the court, where the court itself has legal guardianship over them. It will make decisions about the child’s upbringing, including who is responsible for their everyday care, and the role the other adults involved in the child’s life should take.
How do I meet the legal requirements when the surrogacy occurred abroad?

Many of those exploring surrogacy as an option choose to travel abroad due to cheaper medical costs, greater availability of surrogates and various legal considerations such as being named on the original birth certificate.

Ensuring you meet all the legal requirements at home and abroad is key and receiving the correct legal advice is essential to guarantee that your arrangement is legal and that all the necessary documentation is in place before you bring your child home.

In some countries, pre-birth orders can be made so that intended parents have legal parenthood from birth. They are not recognised in England and Wales however, so a parental or adoption order will still be required to recognise the legal parenthood of the intended parents at home.

What if there is a legal dispute about the surrogacy?

It is rare for either party in a surrogacy arrangement to change their minds but where a dispute does arise, the court will make a decision as to who should have parental responsibility and whether the child should have contact with any of the other adults involved.

The court will also intervene and make a decision if the surrogate and intended parent(s) cannot agree before the parental or adoption order is in place, for example, if the child requires medical treatment.

The court will always consider the most positive outcome for the child but if you are involved in a surrogacy dispute we are on your side and are here to help.

We can provide advice on how to proceed and can offer guidance and support on arbitration, mediation and negotiation to help you reach a swift and amicable agreement.

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I would not hesitate to recommend LB Solicitors to anyone needing guidance and representation for family law or divorce proceedings. My solicitor was thorough and diligent, balancing professional rigour with fairness, reasonableness and sensitivity. I feel this approach helped me to obtain a satisfactory settlement avoiding costly and unnecessary conflict.

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Used Lanyon Bowdler for conveyancing and for legal advice – both solicitors I worked with were effective and professional. Law firm was fast and responsive to queries and clear pricing.

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Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

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Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

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How Much Will it Cost?

At Lanyon Bowdler, we pride ourselves on delivering top-level legal advice at an affordable price so that our services are accessible to anyone that needs them.

We offer a number of flexible payment plans to suit all budgets and circumstances and can discuss the options in detail with you to help find the best way forward. We will be clear and upfront about our legal fees before you proceed so that you can make a fully informed decision.

For more information about fixed fees, pay as you go arrangements and traditional charging rates, speak to us and we can discuss the various options available.

Contact our Specialist Family Law Team

By choosing to work with Lanyon Bowdler, you are guaranteed to have some of the region’s leading family lawyers working on your behalf.

We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry and Telford.

Many of our clients are located throughout Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and the Midlands, including Birmingham and Wolverhampton but as a full-service law firm at the forefront of the industry, we can represent you wherever you are in England or Wales.

Please feel free to give us a call for a friendly, confidential chat about how we can help support you on your surrogacy journey. You can contact a member of our team by calling us or by completing the online enquiry form.

Our people

Meet the team.

Sue Hodgson
Sue Hodgson
Partner
Family Law
Jon Moriarty
Jon Moriarty
Partner
Family Law
Philippa Pearson
Philippa Pearson
Partner
Family Law
Amelie Gray
Amelie Gray
Legal Support Assistant
Family Law
Georgia Rowney
Georgia Rowney
Legal Assistant
Family Law
Nicholas Bridgewater
Nicholas Bridgewater
Trainee Solicitor
Family Law | Disputes & Court Claims | Commercial Dispute Resolution
Anne Lewis
Anne Lewis
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEX)
Family Law
Lisa Grimmett
Lisa Grimmett
Senior Associate Solicitor
Family Law
Caroline Yorke
Caroline Yorke
Associate Solicitor
Family Law
Fiona Cooper
Fiona Cooper
Legal Support Assistant
Family Law
Annie Priest
Annie Priest
Trainee Solicitor
Family Law
Kelly Reynolds
Kelly Reynolds
Solicitor
Family
Staci Robinson
Staci Robinson
Associate Solicitor
Family Law
Laura Jones
Laura Jones
Solicitor
Family Law
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