United Kingdom

Before embarking this journey, intended parents should be aware of the legal position. In fact, surrogacy is legal in the UK, although its arrangements are not enforceable in law, regardless gender identity, or marital status.
Furthermore, surrogacy journey has financial implications, and it is important that intended parents understand the range of costs that may be associated with, including expenses for the gestational surrogate, egg donation, IVF clinic, legal support and travels. UK has awakened the interest of many European intended parents, who now see this country as a possible alternative to Ukraine. In fact, like for Ukraine, flight tickets from Europe are very cheap (thanks to low cost airlines) and the mindset that a modern country like this has, make it even more attractive for parents. However, there are several limitations to access to the surrogacy journey making this alternative almost unsuitable, that's why many intended parents eventually opt for surrogacy in a foreign country

There is no single cost that applies to every case. In fact, the price is closely related to a number of variables such as whether or not egg donation is required, the type of program requested from the fertility clinic (this translates into the number of embryo transfers guaranteed which can be one attempt, two, three or unlimited until pregnancy is achieved) and medical insurance. Having clarified all aspects regarding possible variables, an estimate based on the case histories we have had so far allows us to state that the average price for a program with egg donor, surrogate mother, IVF clinic program, non-profit organisation or agency fees and legal support for the is around £90,000

Access to surrogacy is granted to individuals regardless of their relationship status, heterosexual or same-sex couples in a marriage and civil partnership or living together/co-habiting (more uxorio).
In order to apply for a parental order (which transfers legal parenthood from the surrogate) at least one of the intended parents in a couple must have a genetic link to the child. An individual may also apply for a parental order to transfer legal parenthood as long as they are genetically related to the baby

Before entering into a surrogacy process, it's extremely important for its outcome to be aware of the legal position. Indeed, although UK government supports surrogacy as part of the range of assisted reproduction, surrogacy agreements are not enforceable in law. The arrangement between intended parents and a gestational surrogate (and her spouse or partner if she has one) is not a legally binding document but rather a statement of intention about how the arrangement will work. In other words, it can be a useful document which sets out the intentions of both the surrogate and the intended parents.
At least one of the intended parents in a couple, or the intended parent if an individual applicant, must be UK domiciled (not to be confused with residence). Another key factor is the Parental Order Process. This order transfers legal parenthood from the surrogate (and her spouse or civil partner, if she has one) to the intended parents.
It can only be made with the surrogate’s consent and provides a valuable safeguard for the best interests of the child. Without a parental order intended parents may not be the child’s legal parent in the UK, unless parenthood is obtained through adoption.The parental order process takes place after birth and involves the family court, and a court-appointed social worker. This provides a valuable safeguard for the best interests of the child. Parental order applications are typically heard by magistrates. They will be heard by a High Court judge if there are questions over whether the parental order criteria are met. The court will send a copy of the Parental Order to the General Register Office that will add the new entry to the Parental Order Register, or will contact the parents if they require further details (such as a parent’s profession). Once completed, the General Register Office will send a letter to the parents to let them know that they can order new birth certificates, both short and full

Despite disputes in surrogacy are rare if supported by experts, in the event a breach occurs, the gestational surrogate’s wishes must be respected, regardless of what is set out in any surrogacy agreement or consents that may previously have been provided
If the intended parents change their minds and no longer want to keep the child, then parental responsibility remains with the gestational surrogate as the legal parent of the child (and her partner if she has one). In the event that the surrogate is not prepared to take responsibility for the child, then social services should be contacted in accordance with HFEA guidelines

Under United Kingdom law, the gestational surrogate will be the legal mother at the time of birth, irrespective of whose genetic material has been used and only loses legal parenthood if it is removed by a court order or adoption, depending on the case.
Parenthood is eventually transferred to the intended parents through a Parental Order; they will be named as the legal parents on the birth certificate