Surrogacy in Georgia is legally permitted and has been practiced since 1997, making the country a notable destination for intended parents seeking surrogacy arrangements. The legal framework encompasses various aspects, including eligibility criteria, parental rights, contractual requirements, and recent legislative developments.
🧑⚖️ Legal Status and Eligibility
- Permissibility: Both gestational and traditional surrogacy are allowed in Georgia. Gestational surrogacy is more commonly practiced due to its clearer legal implications.
- Intended Parents: Surrogacy is available to heterosexual couples who are legally married or have been in a civil partnership for at least one year. However, single men and same-sex couples are not permitted to engage in surrogacy arrangements in Georgia.
- Surrogate Mothers: Eligible surrogates are healthy women aged between 20 and 40 years who have at least one child of their own and do not have unhealthy habits.
👶 Parental Rights and Birth Registration
- Legal Parentage: The intended parents are recognized as the legal parents of the child from the moment of birth. The surrogate mother has no parental rights, and her name does not appear on the birth certificate.
- Birth Certificate: The birth certificate issued in Georgia lists only the intended parents, ensuring their legal parentage is established without the need for adoption proceedings.
📄 Contractual Requirements
- Surrogacy Agreement: A notarized contract between the intended parents and the surrogate mother is mandatory. This contract outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both parties, including details about compensation, medical care, and confidentiality.
- Compensation: Surrogacy in Georgia can be either altruistic or commercial. In commercial arrangements, the contract must clearly specify the compensation structure, including payment schedules tied to specific milestones, such as confirmation of pregnancy or birth registration.
🌐 International Considerations
- Foreign Intended Parents: Georgia has been a popular destination for international intended parents due to its favorable legal environment and relatively affordable costs. However, recent legislative proposals have aimed to restrict surrogacy services to Georgian citizens only, citing concerns over exploitation and child welfare. As of now, these proposals have not been enacted, and surrogacy remains accessible to foreign nationals.
- Travel and Documentation: Intended parents must ensure that all necessary legal documents are prepared for the child’s departure from Georgia, including the birth certificate and, if applicable, the child’s passport and visa. It’s essential to consult with legal experts to navigate the requirements of both Georgian law and the laws of the intended parents’ home country.
✅ Summary
- Legal Status: Surrogacy is legal and regulated in Georgia.
- Eligibility: Available to married heterosexual couples and single women with medical indications; not permitted for single men or same-sex couples
- Parental Rights: The intended parents are recognized as the legal parents from the moment of the child’s birth. The surrogate mother has no parental rights, and her name does not appear on the birth certificate.
- Use of Donor Material: Surrogacy arrangements can involve donor eggs or sperm. Even if donor material is used, the intended parents are considered the legal parents.
- Contracts: Notarized agreements are mandatory, detailing compensation and responsibilities
- International Access: Currently available to foreign nationals, though potential legislative changes may affect this in the future.
Given the evolving legal landscape, it’s crucial for intended parents to consult with legal professionals experienced in Georgian reproductive law to ensure compliance with current regulations and to understand potential risks.
Georgia continues to offer a supportive environment for surrogacy arrangements.
