Surrogacy in Asia – from the UK’s leading surrogacy lawyers
Asia is not generally a current destination for UK parents building families through surrogacy.
India was a significant international surrogacy destination for UK parents until 2015 when changes to the immigration rules in India (later reinforced by changes to Indian law) effectively prohibited surrogacy in India for foreign intended parents. Gay and single dads had already been excluded prior to 2015, and this had prompted a rise in unregulated surrogacy in Thailand and Cambodia which was then subsequently also outlawed in 2015. Since then, surrogacy in Asia is very rarely an option for UK intended parents, although still arises from time to time in very specific personal circumstances.
Expert UK law guides from our Knowledge Centre
International surrogacy and UK law
Why do you need to think about UK law if you are going abroad for surrogacy? Find out what to ask at the planning stages, how to bring your baby home and what you need to do to become a family under UK law
Parental orders
UK parents who have a child through surrogacy overseas are expected to apply for a UK parental order after their child is born. Find out why you need one, what the court is assessing and how the process works
Latest news about surrogacy in Asia
Read our most recent updates concerning surrogacy in India, Thailand and Asia
Travelling home with your baby born through international surrogacy – the options
We discuss travelling home following international surrogacy in the US, Georgia, Ukraine, Mexico, Cyprus, Colombia, Canada, Nigeria and more.
Numbers talk – NGA Law and statistics on international surrogacy
CAFCASS data reveals the evolving landscape of surrogacy for UK parents, highlighting the popularity of the US as a destination and the ethical considerations involved. With over a decade of insights, NGA Law provides expert guidance on navigating surrogacy both domestically and internationally.
International Surrogacy Forum in Copenhagen
Natalie was delighted to attend an important international conference on surrogacy that took place in Copenhagen in June 2023.
Will my child through surrogacy be born British? And how do I apply for a British Passport?
If you are expecting a child through surrogacy, one of your top questions may be how you get a British passport for your baby, particularly if they are born outside the UK. British nationality can be complicated in surrogacy cases, and what you need to do depends on...
High Court gives guidance for international surrogacy cases, after newborn surrogate twins are left stranded for a year in India
In yet another decision to highlight the deficiencies of UK surrogacy law, the High Court has criticised the handling of an international surrogacy case in which twins born to British parents were left stranded in India for more than a year. The important decision of...
An end to surrogacy in India for UK couples?
Surrogacy has hit the headlines again, with India apparently in the process of prohibiting foreign couples engaging in surrogacy there. With hundreds of UK parents travelling to India for surrogacy each year, this will be a significant blow. Surrogacy laws have...
NGA quoted in the Guardian: Unregistered surrogate-born children creating legal timebomb, warns judge
Today's Guardian has reported comments made by High Court judge Mrs Justice Theis at a conference last week about her concerns for children born through international surrogacy whose parents have not applied to properly resolve their legal status in the UK. ...
Court unlocks ‘nonsensical’ law for surrogacy parents who miss six month deadline to secure parental status
Until now, intended parents could only apply to become legal parents within six months of the birth of their child. But in a key ruling today, the President of the High Court Family Division, Sir Justice Munby, has said that even though the law states that an...
Baby Gammy case sparks media debate about surrogacy – NGA in the Guardian, BBC News, the Telegraph, the Sunday Times and more
We have been busy over the last few weeks speaking to the media about the baby Gammy case and why surrogacy law needs to be brought up to date. Amidst a storm of media discussion about the law and ethics of international surrogacy, we were interviewed by the...
New Foreign Office guidance for parents planning international surrogacy
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has today published updated guidance for parents planning international surrogacy arrangements. We have been working with the FCO on this new guidance as part of our campaigning and policy work and are proud to have helped with...
How we can help you with surrogacy abroad
Getting your baby home safely
We can advise you on your UK options for bringing your baby home, and represent you in British nationality and passport applications. We have a long history of working to champion the interests of parents through surrogacy, including working with the UK government on emergency travel measures during COVID and on improving the passport application process
Securing your legal parentage
Even if you are recorded on your child’s overseas birth certificate you will need a UK parental order to become legal parents in the UK. The court process is well established, but will be heard by a High Court judge who will expect detailed evidence. We work with parents in a range of different ways, depending on your budget and the support you feel you need.
Still have questions?
If you need legal advice or want to make an appointment, feel free to get in touch. We offer meetings in-person in London or in the New Forest, as well as online.
We are here to help however we can.