Surrogacy has begun to play a bigger role in parenthood around the world. As technology and techniques continue to evolve, it has become very clear that surrogacy is now one of the best ways for couples that can’t conceive a child on their own to get help and become parents.
But one of the biggest questions that those involved in the process have is just what kind of rights there are for surrogate parents. In terms of the surrogate herself, the short answer is – practically none. For the intended parents, there are far more rights and essentially, they become the full and unquestionable parents of the child with all rights associated with this.
Still, taking a closer look at the surrogate parents rights is one of the best ways to go into the process with total confidence and a full understanding of just what to expect. Of course, the specifics of the surrogate parents rights will vary depending largely upon where you are undergoing the surrogacy process. For those looking to become surrogate parents in the country of Georgia, a few basic points stand out – but they all mean the same thing: that parents can start the process without fear or worry.
Georgian Laws Regarding Surrogacy
Since 1997, surrogacy has been legal in the country of Georgia. However, it is only available to heterosexual couples – same sex couples are unable to undergo the surrogacy process at all. Additionally, under the law in the country the surrogate mother has absolutely no parental rights over the child that she bears through surrogacy.
Once that the child is born, the intended parents will have their names placed on the birth certificate within 24 hours of the birth. They will immediately retain guardianship and parental rights over the child as well as all responsibilities. The surrogate mother will not be recognized as a parent in any regard.
This applies to any type of surrogacy, whether the embryo was created using fertilized eggs from the intended mother or it is born with the surrogate’s own eggs. All documents are signed and filed before the surrogacy process begins so there are no arguments over the legalities in the least.
Citizenship Rights
It’s also important to understand citizenship and how it applies to surrogacy. This again depends largely upon where the parents are from. For instance, a US couple that uses a Georgian surrogate will have a child that is treated as a US child born abroad. The child won’t be given Georgian citizenship, but will instead be a US citizen.
The same applies to most countries, but there may be some exceptions. One exception of note is if one of the parents is a Georgian citizen. In these cases, the child will often receive dual citizenship in Georgia as well as their home country. Discussing the question of citizenship with the legal team involved in your surrogacy can help provide total confidence, but know that most parents will have little to worry about when it comes to their child being able to return to their home country.
Surrogacy With Confidence
What all of these regulations mean is that those looking to become surrogates will need to remember that they will receive financial compensation as well as the pride that comes with helping a couple conceive. But in terms of rights after the birth, they have none.
For intended parents, however, they are able to enter the surrogacy process with complete and total confidence. Your rights will be fully protected and you can relax and enjoy the excitement that comes with knowing a child is on the way. Instead of worrying about what may happen once the baby is here, you can plan and enjoy a great experience.
Georgia law has ensured that the rights of surrogate parents are fully protected, which helps explain why the country has become one of the most popular locations for those who want to have a child through a surrogate. Combined with lower costs than some other nations, the rights help ensure that couples who want to be parents are able to do so.
Ensuring The Right Results
One thing that all involved in the surrogacy process should bear in mind is that you must turn to the pros to make sure your results are what they should be. It’s still somewhat common for would-be parents to try to avoid using an official surrogacy agency and form some kind of an arrangement with the surrogate on their own.
Doing so can be catastrophic. While Georgian law protects intended parents, a surrogacy agency will be the best way to ensure that all of your legal needs are considered. Simply put, you owe it to yourself to talk to a Georgian surrogacy agency if you want to go through the process. This way, you get the best results without any problems.