I recently spoke with Natalie Gamble, solicitor and pioneer in UK fertility law, and a member of Growing Families’ advisory board and Verification Criteria Review Committee, about what really matters when it comes to legal protections in surrogacy. Her perspective highlights just how complex these journeys can be.
Surrogacy is often described as a journey built on trust. And while trust is essential, on its own, it’s not enough. Families, surrogates and professionals navigate an incredibly complex network of medical, legal and financial arrangements that often span multiple countries. Each element carries potential risks and even small missteps can have lasting consequences.
Why Surrogacy Is Complex
Every country approaches surrogacy differently. Some have robust, well-defined regulations; others rely on patchwork rules or evolving practice. Some jurisdictions shift rapidly in response to political or social pressures. Across all of this, the goal remains the same: protecting the children, the surrogates and the intended parents.
Natalie Gamble articulates this perfectly:
“What matters to children is not the structure of their family or how it was made, but whether they are loved. But they also deserve positive birth stories which can be shared with confidence. Donors and surrogates give an incredible life-changing gift and should always be treated with the utmost care and respect.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Protecting children and surrogates means also recognising the diversity of families that engage in surrogacy. Different family structures face distinct challenges, and understanding these differences is essential for safeguarding everyone involved.
For instance, single parents, blended families, LGBTQ+ families and other non-traditional arrangements face unique considerations. Providing protections that account for these realities requires clear structures, accountability and attention to the specific challenges each family may encounter. As Natalie explains:
“LGBT+ people are more likely to need the help of assisted reproduction (including donors and surrogates) to become parents. They are also more vulnerable to discrimination, with mismatched laws globally. All over the world, we need better laws to recognise the lived realities of children born.”
Unfortunately, these aren’t the only things that complicate the surrogacy landscape. Some actors in the space do not uphold high standards, cut corners or operate without proper oversight. These bad actors can create serious risks, whether they mean to or not.
I am passionate about ethical surrogacy, something which enables much-loved children to be brought into the world through a process of trust, safety, legality and mutual respect. But there is risk, and I have seen examples of unethical practice, particularly involving intermediaries operating outside the law and without high ethical standards. Responsible professionals should do all they can to ensure that surrogacy is managed safely to protect the interests of women, intended parents and most importantly surrogate-born children.
Natalie Gamble
NGA Law, UK
The Role of Standards and Verification
Clear structures in such a complex space are essential. Yet too often, families and surrogates are left depending on the diligence and integrity of the professionals around them.
Where legal protections are inconsistent or unclear, risks increase. Contracts can be confusing, fees opaque, and processes poorly documented. Citizenship or immigration complications can arise, and even years later, disputes may surface. Intended parents are often navigating these challenges without knowing which professionals are reliable. This is precisely why we’ve launched our verification process.
Verification provides a structured way to assess how surrogacy agencies operate. It examines whether contracts and fees are clear and transparent, the company’s track-record, screening processes and whether the wellbeing of surrogates is prioritized (read more about our assessment criteria here). This helps families make informed choices, ensures that surrogates are treated fairly and encourages providers to operate responsibly.
We set our verification criteria through a careful, collaborative process within our Verification Criteria Review Committee. Members of the committee are experienced professionals committed to raising standards and advocating for families and surrogates. Together, they define clear expectations for providers, ensuring families can trust the guidance and promoting ethical practice across the sector.
I hope that Provider Verification will help give surrogates and intended parents sound information on intermediaries they can trust to operate ethically and safely and set clear standards which will provide a model for global discussion on these issues.
Natalie Gamble
NGA Law, UK
The surrogacy landscape will always be complex, but it doesn’t have to feel uncertain. I am proud and grateful to work alongside professionals I can rely on, including Natalie and the members of our Verification Criteria Review Committee. Their dedication to raising standards and supporting families and surrogates makes surrogacy safer, more transparent, and gives families and children the best possible start.
If you want to learn more about surrogacy providers we verify, or have questions about our verification process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to provide guidance and help you navigate your journey with confidence.
