Surrogacy in Colombia
Surrogacy in Colombia: Legal & Cultural Insights, Costs and Timelines
Learn what surrogacy in Colombia really involves. This webinar covers legal, cultural and practical insights, plus realistic costs and timelines.
Navigating surrogacy in Colombia with Growing Families
Surrogacy in Colombia offers a well regulated and supportive environment for intended parents. The process begins with a thorough psychological and physical screening for the surrogate, who needs to have already completed her own family. The selected surrogate and intended parents sign a contract that clearly outlines all terms and conditions to guarantee mutual consent.
Throughout the pregnancy, your Colombian agency plays a crucial role. They organize regular monthly scans and health check-ups for the surrogate, with all reports and updates shared directly with the intended parents. Agency representatives also visit your surrogate regularly to monitor her well-being, ensuring she has proper care, a healthy diet, and support for her day-to-day needs.
According to Colombian law, the woman who gives birth is legally recognized as the mother, and her name will appear on the child’s birth certificate, along with one intended father. The child’s last two names include the surrogate’s and the intended father’s surname. After the baby’s birth, international intended parents may need to arrange a DNA test to establish a genetic link to their baby. It’s important to note that in Colombia, there are no court orders transferring parentage.
Growing Families ensures that intended parents are supported through this legal process and helps navigate the requirements, offering legal guidance and assistance where necessary.
Who can build a family through surrogacy in Mexico?
Same-sex & LGBTQ+ couples
Heterosexual couples
Singles, both men and women
How surrogacy services in Colombia work
Colombia’s surrogacy process involves several steps:
Agency selection and consultation
The first step in your surrogacy journey in Colombia is selecting a trusted surrogacy agency. The agency will coordinate all medical, legal, and logistical aspects of your surrogacy journey, offering expert guidance through every step. Growing Families can assist (Ask about our Verified Providers)
Surrogate matching
Once you choose your agency, they will begin the surrogate-matching process. All potential surrogate mothers undergo thorough medical and psychological screenings, ensuring they are physically and emotionally ready for the journey. You’ll have the opportunity to review profiles and meet with potential surrogate mothers to choose the best match for your family.
Legal contracts
After a match is made, experienced legal professionals will draft the surrogacy contract. This legally binding agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the intended parents and the surrogate, ensuring clear terms regarding parentage, compensation, and all necessary medical and legal protections. The contract is signed by both parties with full consent.
Medical protocols and IVF
The medical phase begins with in vitro fertilization (IVF). In Colombia, only gestational surrogacy is permitted, meaning the surrogate carries the child but has no genetic connection to the baby. Embryos are created using the intended parents’ eggs and sperm or eggs from an anonymous donor. Leading IVF clinics in Colombia provide high-quality care and advanced IVF procedures to support a healthy pregnancy. If required, egg donation is handled with strict anonymity to protect donor privacy.
Embryo transfer
Once the embryos are ready, the embryo transfer takes place. Clinics in Colombia follow the latest medical guidelines to make the process as a safe and effective as possible. Typically, a single embryo is transferred to minimize the risks of multiple pregnancies.
Pregnancy and surrogate care
During the pregnancy, the surrogate remains in Colombia and receives ongoing care through a trusted IVF clinic. Regular check-ups and scans are provided, and reports are sent directly to the intended parents. The surrogate is also supported by a social worker who ensures she has the emotional, legal, and medical support she needs throughout the pregnancy. You’ll receive regular updates and be kept informed of the surrogate’s health and progress, promoting peace of mind.
Birth and post-birth legal steps
Once the baby is born, the surrogate’s name is initially listed on the birth certificate along with one intended father. A DNA test is often required to establish parentage and confirm the biological link between the child and one of the intended parents. Colombian law does not issue court orders transferring parentage, so intended parents may need to navigate the law to update the birth certificate. Typically, the intended parents will work with local legal professionals to facilitate the necessary legal steps and establish parental rights, ensuring the child is legally recognized as theirs in their home country.
Cost of surrogacy in Colombia
The costs can vary significantly depending on several factors, including whether you already have embryos created, require an egg donor, or choose a pay-as-you-go or a fixed-cost program.
For those who have embryos ready for shipment to Colombia, the minimum cost typically starts at around USD 46,250. This amount covers essential services such as medical procedures, surrogate care and legal assistance.
On the other hand, if you opt for a more comprehensive approach, including a guaranteed surrogacy program, the costs start at USD 68,000.
A guarantee program typically includes additional services, such as ensuring a successful pregnancy or covering additional attempts if needed, providing peace of mind throughout the process. The overall cost will also depend on the level of support and services required to suit your specific needs, from medical care to legal representation.
COSTS RANGE FROM
USD 46,250
TO
USD 68,000
Colombia surrogacy laws and legal parenthood requirements
After the birth, intended parents must follow a legal procedure to have their names added to the birth certificate as the legal parents. Legal representation in Colombia is essential to manage all necessary legal steps, including signing the agreement with the surrogate and securing the birth certificate.
Growing Families can connect you with specialized lawyers in your home country who can provide expert guidance on your parental rights. Additionally, we can refer you to trusted fertility clinics in Colombia for further assistance.
Fertility clinics in Colombia
Unfortunately, only a limited number of IVF clinics in Colombia specialize in surrogacy cases, which has led to a bottleneck in the availability of surrogates, egg donors, and embryo transfer procedures.
The leading IVF clinic providing surrogacy services in Colombia offers advanced technologies, including genetic carrier screening and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
Sperm and embryo shipping to Colombia
Sperm or embryos can be shipped to Colombia from other countries. At Growing Families, we can help arrange shared shipments to Colombia, which helps reduce the overall cost.
Why choose surrogacy in Colombia?
Colombia has become a top choice for international surrogacy for many reasons:
Affordability: Compared to other surrogacy destinations, Colombia offers a more affordable solution without compromising on the quality of medical care or services. This makes it an appealing choice for international intended parents seeking high-quality care at a lower cost.
Advanced medicine: Colombia is home to leading IVF clinics that utilize cutting-edge technology such as genetic carrier screening and noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), ensuring the highest chances of success and healthy pregnancies.
Clear legal framework: Colombian law provides a clear legal framework for surrogacy, with established procedures for parental rights and birth registration. Although the surrogate’s name is initially on the birth certificate, legal representation can help navigate the process to establish the intended parents as the legal guardians.
Welcoming environment: Colombia is known for its welcoming and supportive environment for non-local intended parents. The country has a very progressive stance on surrogacy, and fertility clinics and legal teams are experienced in assisting international families, making the process smoother for those coming from abroad.
Get started on your surrogacy journey
Choosing an agency to work with
Look for the following when evaluating surrogacy agencies:
Comprehensive surrogate support: The agency must demonstrate a commitment to ethical surrogate care. This includes rigorous screening, access to counseling, a dedicated social worker, and support before, during, and after the pregnancy.
A full professional team: The agency should have an established network of lawyers for legal services, psychologists, translators, and partner IVF clinics to guarantee effective support for both you and your surrogate.
Transparency about risks: A trustworthy agency will be upfront about the potential risks of a surrogacy journey, such as failed transfers, miscarriage, or premature birth. You should feel confident that they have protocols in place to safeguard the interests of everyone involved.
Clear communication: Agency staff must speak your language so you can understand the entire process, how the surrogate mother is supported, and the level of care you, the intended parents, will receive.
Growing Families has years of experience in international surrogacy and can advise you on what to look for, and what to avoid, when considering a Colombian surrogacy journey.
Book Your ConsultationFrequently asked questions
Yes, surrogacy is legal in Colombia, but it follows specific regulations. Only gestational surrogacy is permitted, meaning the surrogate has no genetic link to the child. The surrogacy process is governed by Colombian law, which ensures clear procedures for parental rights, though legal assistance is required to finalize the parentage after birth.
Surrogacy costs in Colombia typically range from US$45,250 to US$85,000, depending on whether you already have embryos, need an egg donor, or choose a guaranteed surrogacy program. This price covers medical procedures, legal assistance, and the surrogate’s care.
The surrogacy journey in Colombia can take approximately 18 to 24 months. This includes time for surrogate matching, IVF procedures, the pregnancy, and the post-birth legal journey to establish parental rights.
Yes, you can use your own sperm and embryos. If needed, sperm or embryos can be shipped to Colombia from other countries. Growing Families can assist with shared shipments to reduce these costs.
Why work with Growing Families?
Potential parents often begin their journey without a full understanding of the risks. That’s where we come in. Since 2012, the Growing Families team has helped over 4,000 families. We draw on our global experience to help you choose the best and safest option for your unique situation, as well as supporting you throughout the process.
Begin your Colombian surrogacy journey with confidence
Colombia offers intended parents a unique combination of affordability, advanced medical care, and legal clarity, making it an excellent option for intended parents worldwide. With our expertise and connections to trusted clinics and legal professionals, Growing Families is here to guide you through every step of the process.
Whether you’re ready to begin or have questions, we’re here to help make your surrogacy journey smooth and successful.