Surrogacy in Georgia
The Eastern European country of Georgia has become increasingly used by intended parents from Australia, the UK, USA, Israel, Europe and many other countries. Georgia has a legal framework that recognises heterosexual couples as the legal parents of a baby born through surrogacy, including foreigners.
Intended parents must be a married heterosexual couple or de facto heterosexual couple who can prove they have been living together for more than one year.
Surrogacy in Georgia is not accessible to (or legal for) other types of intended parents, including same-sex and single parents. Take great care if you are offered surrogacy services unless you are in a heterosexual relationship.
***** Georgian Prime Minister Vows to Ban Surrogacy from 1 Jan 2024 *****
Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced on 12 June that surrogacy would only be permitted for Georgian citizens, similar to countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Prime Minister Garibashvili says “We think it will be approved in the fall, and it will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
Growing Families expects that Georgia’s notaries – the key gatekeepers for authorisation of surrogacy agreements – will be banned from notarising agreements from this date.
GROWING FAMILIES ARE HOSTING A FREE ONLINE MEETING ON WED 21 JUNE TO PROVIDE ANSWERS & GUIDANCE AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. Go here for information and to register
Growing Families can help you understand your international options, with an Assessment & Support Consultation. These sessions explore your individual options. If you would like to book a meeting please complete this form and we will be in contact to arrange a meeting.
Who can build a family in Georgia?
How does surrogacy in Georgia work?
Georgian surrogacy agencies help intended parents to find a surrogate and egg donor if needed. They also arrange the IVF treatment with partner IVF clinics, pregnancy medical care, legal and administrative services for intended parents.
Given the cultural and language barriers, the opportunity for a deeper relationship with your surrogate is often limited. Research the ethics and track record of an agency before committing. Make sure you feel confident and comfortable that the organisation you are looking to work with will look out for the interests of you, your child, and your surrogate.
How do I choose which agency to work with?
When looking to start a family-building journey in Georgia, it is important to find professional service providers who speak your language. This is important for ease of communication. It is also important so you can understand how the surrogates are screened prior to selection and how they are supported throughout the journey, as well as the support you will be given.
Make sure you feel confident that your service provider will safeguard the interests of you, your baby, and your surrogate. A number of Georgian agencies are now recruiting surrogates from other countries. Make sure your surrogate is fully informed, safe to proceed without risk of harm or exploitation and is well supported throughout the surrogacy process. It is also important to understand risks ( failed transfers, miscarriage, premature birth).
Some agencies will not accept shipped embryos. Others are importing surrogates from other countries such as Kazahkstan, creating additional risks of exploitation including separation of surrogates from their own children.
Growing Families have years of experience in international cross-border surrogacy and worldwide connections with surrogacy professionals. We can save you significant time by advising on the pros and cons of particular agencies and the hurdles and risks you need to consider.
Establishing a relationship with a surrogate in Georgia
Typically, there is a limited relationship between intended parents and surrogates in Georgia, due to language barriers, cultural differences, and distance.
Nonetheless, it is vital to form some relationship with your surrogate to provide her with peace of mind, ensure she is looked after and enable her to understand who you are and your appreciation for her.
Georgia surrogacy laws and legal parenthood
You will be your baby’s legal parents from birth in Georgia. Children born via surrogacy to foreigners in Georgia do not acquire Georgian citizenship. Instead, their intended parents apply for citizenship from their home country. Both intended parents’ names will be on the Georgian birth certificate.
You will need to be in the country for the birth, as well for a period afterwards while you navigate travel documents. The average time required to obtain travel documents for a child born through surrogacy in Georgia to foreigners varies by country of residence.
- UK citizens 8 – 16 weeks
- Irish citizens 3 – 4 weeks
- Australian citizens 6 – 9 weeks
- US citizens 2 – 3 weeks
Growing Families can provide legal contacts, advice, and guidance on how to obtain citizenship and travel documents.
How much does surrogacy in Georgia cost?
Surrogacy in Georgia costs between US$38,000 and US$70,000 depending on the program and agency you work with. Shipped embryo programs, where successful on the first or second transfer, will be significantly lower cost than guarantee programs. If you attempt transfers with your own embryos first, then switch to a donor program, costs will also increase significantly.
Service providers usually charge based on a package covering multiple services. Make sure you understand what is included in packages offered and what is not. Don’t forget to budget for your travel, accommodation, and passport costs.
Growing Families can assist with understanding packages and outlining additional costs, sometimes not disclosed.
What is the wait time for a Georgian surrogate?
Wait times have increased significantly since the war in Ukraine restricted surrogacy in that location. Once embryos are created or shipped, you can expect a 3 – 7 month wait, to match with a surrogate and prepare for embryo transfer
Fertility Clinics in Georgia
There are at least six reputable IVF clinics in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, with English speaking doctors who have good experience in supporting surrogacy-related IVF.
Some of these clinics have their own surrogacy agencies. All have experience in donor IVF, self-cycle and receiving shipped gametes.
Embryo shipping To Georgia
Georgian regulations around shipped embryos and sperm are complex. Georgian clinics require a letter from the sending clinic outlining specific information about the intended parents, copy of clinic registration license and various other documentation. All documents must be notarised and apostilled.
Growing Families can assist with gamete shipping and arranging the required documentation.
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.
