Surrogacy in Argentina

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Advisory: Birth Certificates for Surrogacy Cases – Buenos Aires

Birth certificate issuance for foreign surrogacy cases in Argentina has been suspended since May 22, 2024, leaving families in Buenos Aires without legal clarity.

Argentina is emerging as a new surrogacy destination for singles, same-sex couples, single males, and married or non-married heterosexual couples. Surrogacy in Argentina is gaining popularity due to a favourable legal framework in the city of Buenos Aires which lists only the intended parent(s) on newborn birth certificates, giving them full parental rights from birth.

In 2017, several Argentine legal challenges led to a judicial ruling in the City of Buenos Aires acknowledged the rights of parents via surrogacy to be recognised as parents on the birth certificate and in law. As long as key requirements are met, no court order is required to transfer parentage in this jurisdiction.

Hence in Buenos Aires, surrogacy is open to singles and couples, regardless of their marital status, sexuality or nationality. A genetic relationship is not required. Surrogacy-born children are entitled to an Argentine passport.

Compensation is based on what is involved in carrying a pregnancy to term, with clinical examinations, loss of earnings, possible damages, psychological support, external help for one’s own children, chiropracty, physiotherapy, counselling, life insurance, health insurance, postpartum care, travel expenses, clothing and a variety of associated costs that are can vary from surrogate to surrogate. Such reimbursements are commonly around US$15,000 or higher. Monetary compensation has been increasing in recent years. Surrogates who have already successfully completed one or more surrogacy processes may charge higher fees

Birth Certificate Issue – Recent Changes – May 2024
(Source: Growing Families International Advisory Board Argentina rep Ester Nunez)

Due to a change in management at Buenos Aires Civil Registry (due to the change of government) and the increase in surrogacy involving foreign IPs who do not speak Spanish, the Registry has implemented additional measures to ensure all parties understand the scope of the documents they sign. These new requirements include: The presence of a certified translator (who speaks the IPs language)
a) during the signing of free and informed consents, before embryo transfer and the protocolization of consents.
b) when documentation is presented and request for the birth certificate made.

As a result, Birth certificates for infants via surrogacy may be delayed because the processes above were not followed and documentation has not been correctly submitted. Local regulations state that birth registration must be done within 40 days (although it is usually much less).

While we expect the new requirements to delay processing for current births, for those at the start or with a pregnant surrogate, dealing with these requirements now will avoid delays later.

In additon, a Buenos Aires judge has ruled that the existing regulations which allow minors born through Assisted Reproductive techniques to be registered automatically as a child of their parents, has been challenged, and it is likely that from mid June 2024, the current regulations will no longer have any legal force. Note that these measures are currently being appealed by the LGBTQIA+ federation in Argentina and a group of prominent lawyers working in the fertility sector.

If these appeals are not successful, it is expected that the surrogate will be defined as a legal parent on the birth certificate.

For those with current pregnancies via surrogacy, during the pregnancy, an application can be made to a judge so any children born through surrogacy can be registered directly as a child of the intended parents.

The Future

Argentine authorities with a conservative stance and against surrogacy for foreigners – as in every country – are lobbying to legislate surrogacy restrictively. However there are no immediate changes predicted.There has been a judicial decision aligned with this conservative stance, which has not yet taken effect, and is unlikely to be enforced. The Central Civil Registry maintains a position in favour of surrogacy.

Who can build a family in Argentina?

How does surrogacy in Argentina work?

With a population of 45 million people, many Argentinian women are available as egg donors and a lesser number as gestational surrogates. Egg donors can be anonymous or have their identification released when your child comes of age. IVF clinics share pictures of potential candidates during face-to-face or online meetings. 

In Argentina, informed consent documents are signed by the surrogate before an embryo transfer takes place. This agreement confirms the intended parents are the legal parents of the baby the surrogate is carrying and that the surrogate does not have any parental rights.

Surrogates in Argentina undergo a strict screening process.Surrogates are required to be between 22 and 35 years old, need to have birthed one child of their own, and their physical and emotional well-being is assessed by professionals.

How do I choose which agency to work with?

It is important to find professional service providers who speak your language.  This is important so you can understand how the service provider screens surrogates and how your surrogate is supported throughout the journey, as well as the support you will be given. 

Ensure any agency you work with has a team of lawyers, psychologists, support workers, translators and experience with local IVF clinic partners who can support you and your surrogate. It is also important to understand the risks (e.g. failed transfers, miscarriage, premature birth). Make sure you feel confident that your service provider will safeguard the interests of you, your baby, and your surrogate.

children lying on grass and laughing

What is the wait time for an Argentinian surrogate match?

It takes 3 to 6 months to be matched with a surrogate, depending on the service provider. In the meantime, you may wish to select a donor and create or ship embryos.

How much does surrogacy in Argentina cost?

Surrogacy in Argentina for foreigners may cost from US$60,000 to US$80,000

Growing Families can help you plan and budget for Argentina surrogacy journey offering personal advice as part of our Assessment & Support Consultation.

Argentina surrogacy laws and legal parenthood

Argentina does not have national laws regarding surrogacy.  However, in the City of Buenos Aires, a previous class action means intended parents are recognized as legal parents. Both intended parents (or a single parent) appear on the baby’s birth certificate. The surrogate mother’s name is not mentioned.

Babies born through surrogacy are entitled to Argentinian citizenship and a local passport.  Though this does not mean your home country will allow the newborn entry on a tourist visa. Seek advice from Growing Families on this, as more than likely you will need to wait until your child has a travel document issued by your government.

Growing Families offer access to local legal representation who specialise in surrogacy arrangements.

What is Argentina’s Healthcare System like?

Argentina’s healthcare is among the best in South America. Major cities, such as Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Mendoza have outstanding hospitals and clinics.  However, the same cannot be said of all states.  

There is a choice of top-rate private hospitals or public maternity hospitals. In Buenos Aires, these hospitals have their own Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Civil registries which issue birth certificates are located in these hospitals.

a girl carrying a mini flag of Argentina

Fertility Clinics in Argentina

There are many IVF clinics in Argentina, with many providing sperm and egg donor databases. Several IVF clinics have English-speaking support staff.

While egg donations are often anonymous, clinics will often show pictures of potential candidates in the face-to-face context.  Intended parents let the medical team know the characteristics they would like in their egg donor.

Services such as karyotyping and PGT-A testing are readily available.

Gamete Shipping to Argentina

It is possible to ship embryos from other countries to Argentina. However, the receiving clinic needs to have an import license. The paperwork requirements for freight shipping embryos and sperm are also significant, so you may require support from Growing Families shipping team. The costs of shipping can be high. As a result, Growing Families does offer shared shipments to reduce the cost.

If you do not already have embryos made, it may be easier to travel to Buenos Aires and create embryos there. In that case, you will also have significantly better access to view egg donor profiles if required.

Engage with Growing Families 

Potential parents often embark on alternate family building journeys without adequate understanding of the risks. That’s where Growing Families comes in. Our team has been helping international families since 2012, with over 3000 successful cases. We draw on our global experience to help you choose the best option for your unique situation.

Our Assessment and Support Consultation Packages offer a secure pathway with personalised guidance and care. Fill out our assessment form, and we’ll reach out for a 15-minute consultation.

Want to learn more? Join us for one of our regular events, featuring expert service providers, surrogates, and recent parents. Check out our Event Schedule for upcoming dates near you.

Trust Growing Families to support your surrogacy journey.