Surrogacy Insights

• The practice of surrogacy is permitted by law, Article 143 Section B, of the Law of Georgia “On Health Care.”
• Surrogacy has been legally permitted in Georgia since the 2000s and has increasingly gained prominence, with statistics indicating that 98% of all surrogacy cases involve foreign parents. Over the years, Georgia has contemplated discontinuing commercial surrogacy and implemented initial restrictions in 2020, restricting services to heterosexual couples who have been married or cohabitated for at least a year.
• Compensated surrogacy is permitted.
• A formal surrogacy agreement is required.
• Only heterosexual, married couples can be intended parents.
• At least one of the parents must have a genetic link to the child.
• The law does not recognize the surrogate as the child’s parent and she cannot change her mind about relinquishing the child.
• The intended parent’s names are listed on the original birth certificate.
• A child born through surrogacy doesn’t automatically receive Georgian citizenship. Instead, the child’s citizenship derives from the parent’s country of origin. If neither parent’s country grants citizenship, Georgian citizenship will be provided.
• Surrogacy is estimated to cost between $60,000 to $80,000, including IVF treatment. Surrogates typically earn $20,000, paid in installments throughout the pregnancy.  However, a large proportion is paid after the birth.