Surrogacy Insights
In Iran, both commercial and noncommercial surrogacy are legal as there are no specific laws governing surrogacy.
While the majority of Muslims worldwide are Sunni, the majority of Iranians adhere to Shiite Islam. Sunni scholars generally prohibit surrogate motherhood due to the involvement of introducing a man’s sperm into a woman’s uterus to whom he is not married. In contrast, most Shiite scholars have issued decrees (fatwas) allowing surrogate motherhood for infertility treatment in legal couples. They view this practice as transferring an embryo or fetus from one womb to another, permissible in Shiite jurisprudence.
Compensated surrogacy is accepted. Surrogacy is open to married heterosexual intended parents only. Single and gay people are not permitted to participate in surrogacy,
Future Legal Developments
January 2024
Iran Travel Advisory from the US Department of State:
- Level 4 – Do Not Travel
- U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Iran have been kidnapped, arrested, and detained on spurious charges.
- Companies offering surrogacy services in Iran are misrepresenting the security situation in Iran and the risks of the unregulated surrogacy tourism industry. Private companies that arrange such visits and services put U.S. citizens in danger.
