Surrogacy FAQs

🧬 General Surrogacy Questions

Q1. What is surrogacy and how does it work?
Surrogacy is when a woman (the surrogate) carries a baby for intended parents. There are two types:

• Traditional: Surrogate’s egg + intended father’s sperm

• Gestational: IVF embryos (from intended parents/donors) transferred to surrogate

Q2. Is surrogacy legal in India?
Yes, but only altruistic surrogacy is permitted under the 2021 Surrogacy Act. Key rules:

• Surrogate must be a married close relative

• Only Indian married couples/single women qualify

• Commercial surrogacy is banned

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🏥 Medical Process

Q3. What’s the success rate of surrogacy in India?

• Gestational surrogacy: 55-65% per cycle (higher with PGT-tested embryos)

• Traditional surrogacy: 45-55% (rarely done now)

Q4. Can I use frozen embryos for surrogacy?
Yes! Frozen embryo transfers have:
✔ 90-95% survival rates with vitrification
✔ Similar success to fresh transfers (ICMR 2024 data)

Q5. How are surrogates medically screened?
Rigorous tests include:

• Full fertility workup (HSG, AMH)

• Infectious disease panels (HIV/HBV/HCV)

• Psychological evaluation

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💰 Costs & Payments

Q6. What’s the average cost of surrogacy in India?

Q7. Are payment plans available?
Most clinics offer phased payments:

• 20-30% upfront

• 50% before embryo transfer

• 20% post-pregnancy confirmation

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⚖️ Legal Aspects

Q8. Who can opt for surrogacy in India?
Eligible groups:

• Indian heterosexual married couples (5+ years married)

• Single women (widowed/divorced, aged 35-45)

• NRIs from countries where surrogacy is legal

Q9. What legal documents are needed?

• Form 3 (Surrogacy agreement)

• Form 4 (Embryo consent)

• Court order before transfer

• Notarized affidavits

Q10. How long does legal approval take?

• Indian couples: 3-6 months

• NRIs: 6-9 months (extra documentation)

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🌍 For International Parents

Q11. Can foreigners pursue surrogacy in India?
Only if:

• Married and from surrogacy-legal countries

• Provide home country embassy clearance

• Use own eggs/sperm (no donors)

Q12. How do we bring the baby home?
Process varies by country:

• USA: CRBA + passport (4-6 weeks)

• UK: Parental Order (6-12 months)

• Canada: Citizenship certificate (3-4 months)

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🤰 Surrogate-Related

Q13. How are surrogates compensated?
Only medical/insurance costs are covered legally. Typical inclusions:

• Maternity clothes allowance (₹20-30k)

• Nutritional supplements (₹10-15k/month)

• Full medical coverage (₹5L+)

Q14. Can we meet the surrogate beforehand?
Yes, ethical clinics arrange:

• Joint counseling sessions

• Mediated Q&A meetings

• Regular updates during pregnancy

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❓ Miscellaneous

Q15. What if the surrogate changes her mind?

• Contracts are legally binding after court approval

• Rare in India (<1% cases as per 2024 data)

Q16. Are twins possible in surrogacy?
Yes, but ICMR now limits to:

• 1 embryo transfer (under 35 yrs)

• 2 embryos (35+ yrs)

Q17. Can LGBTQ+ couples do surrogacy in India?
No, current laws exclude same-sex couples.