For millions of couples and even singles around the world, becoming a parent is a dream that is regularly strived towards. But sometimes, biology makes it more difficult to do. When you struggle with fertility related issues, finally having that perfect child can seem impossible. It doesn’t have to be, however, and surrogacy could be a solution that leads you to the child you’ve always wanted.
But often, surrogacy isn’t possible where a couple lives. Many countries outright ban surrogacy, and others make it very difficult to do. Still others allow surrogacy, but don’t offer full protection to the intended parents and could leave them childless in the end even after months of being told they would have a child. For would-be parents looking to finally have a child, the nation of Georgia could be an option worth looking at.
The surrogacy laws in Georgia offer a path to parenthood that can make dreams come true, and it’s something that is well worth considering and looking at.
The Surrogacy Laws Of Georgia
So just what are the surrogacy laws in the country of Georgia? The state is one of very few in Europe where surrogacy is legal, and since the late 90s the country has focused on making sure that would-be parents are able to have the child they have always wanted. There are several aspects of surrogacy laws that are worth reviewing in regard to Georgia.
- Georgia law only allows married, heterosexual couples to complete surrogacy. Single parents and gay couples can’t use surrogacy in Georgia.
- The law allows for altruistic as well as commercial surrogacy. Each case will need to draw up a surrogacy contract and review it in full to ensure that all parties involved get the intended results from the process.
- Egg and sperm donations are allowed if the couple needs these options. In Georgia, the donor identity can be disclosed to the intended parents and they can even meet the person if they desire.
- The intended parents will be the parents upon birth. They will have all legal rights and responsibilities that this entails, while the surrogate will have no rights or responsibilities and won’t be recognized as the mother of the child at all.
- The birth certificate will be issued within 24 hours of the birth of the child
- The names of the intended parents will be placed on the birth certificate
- The intended parents don’t need to have signed consent from the surrogate in order to be named as the legal parents of the child – unlike some countries that require the surrogate to relinquish her rights upon the birth of the child.
- Intended parents from the US will need to prove that at least one parent is biologically related to the child born abroad through a surrogate pregnancy. DNA testing may be required to prove this. This is covered under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Parents from the US will need to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of An American Citizen as well as a US passport. This can be applied for at the US Embassy in Tbilisi.
These are the basic, broad rules regarding surrogacy laws in Georgia. While American citizens will have to take an extra step to prove their biological relationship to the child, the end result is still more than worth it and will ensure that you are able to have the child you always wanted and return home to raise it in your family for the rest of your life. Georgia laws make it possible, and the right agency will help you throughout the entire process.
Why Surrogacy In Georgia Is A Smart Call
The vast majority of those looking to have a surrogate mother carry their child are from a country that actually already has legalized surrogacy – the USA. However, there are still countless couples that head overseas to Georgia to complete their surrogacy instead. There are also many reasons for this. The main reason is the cost – the cost of a full surrogacy program in Georgia can be as much as 70 to 80% lower than the cost of the same process in the USA.
In addition, Georgia offers more to appreciate including:
- Full legal protection for would-be parents
- “Guarantee Baby Program” that ensures you get a baby from the process. This also includes accommodation, travel to and from the airport, legal assistance, and more
- Ongoing health monitoring and care for the surrogate mother
And since Georgia has some of the best international surrogacy agencies in the world, parents are able to choose to have their child here with total confidence. Instead of paying double, triple, or even quadruple what you would pay in the US for a surrogacy, it makes sense to save tens of thousands and still get the exact same level of care, legal protection, and results by flying to Georgia.