Surrogacy FAQs 2026
All Your Questions Answered - Complete Guide by SheIVF Experts
Surrogacy FAQ Categories 2026
Browse questions by category for quick answers
General Questions
What is surrogacy? How does it work? Types, legal status, and basic concepts explained.
View QuestionsMedical Process
Success rates, screening, IVF process, embryo transfer, and medical considerations.
View QuestionsCosts & Payments
Pricing breakdown, payment plans, insurance, and financial aspects of surrogacy.
View QuestionsLegal Aspects
Eligibility, documentation, court orders, and legal requirements for surrogacy.
View QuestionsInternational Parents
FAQ for NRIs and foreigners, travel documentation, embassy processes.
View QuestionsSurrogate Related
Surrogate screening, compensation, relationship, and rights explained.
View Questions🧬 General Surrogacy Questions
Basic concepts and understanding of surrogacy in India 2026
Answer: Surrogacy is when a woman (the surrogate) carries a baby for intended parents. In India 2026, only gestational altruistic surrogacy is permitted under the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021.
- Traditional Surrogacy: Surrogate's egg + intended father's sperm (rarely done now)
- Gestational Surrogacy: IVF embryos (from intended parents/donors) transferred to surrogate (only type allowed in India)
The surrogate has no genetic link to the child in gestational surrogacy. She carries the pregnancy to term and delivers the baby for the intended parents.
Answer: Yes, but with strict conditions under the 2021 Surrogacy Act:
- Only altruistic surrogacy is permitted (no commercial arrangements)
- Surrogate must be a married close relative (not immediate family)
- Only Indian married couples (5+ years) and single women (widowed/divorced, 35-45) qualify
- Commercial surrogacy agencies and brokers are completely banned
- Mandatory court order required before embryo transfer
🏥 Medical Process FAQs
Success rates, screening, IVF process and medical considerations
| Type of Surrogacy | Success Rate Per Cycle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gestational Surrogacy | 55-65% | Higher with PGT-tested embryos |
| Traditional Surrogacy | 45-55% | Rarely done now due to legal restrictions |
| With Donor Eggs | 60-70% | Higher due to younger egg quality |
- Age of egg provider (best under 35)
- Embryo quality and genetic testing
- Surrogate's age and health
- Clinic expertise and lab quality
- Previous pregnancy history of surrogate
Answer: Yes! Frozen embryo transfers are commonly used for surrogacy with excellent results:
- 90-95% survival rates with modern vitrification techniques
- Similar success rates to fresh transfers (confirmed by ICMR 2024 data)
- Allows better synchronization between surrogate's cycle and embryo availability
- Reduces need for simultaneous IVF cycles
Answer: Surrogates undergo rigorous medical and psychological screening including:
- Full fertility workup (HSG, AMH, hormonal profile)
- Infectious disease panels (HIV/HBV/HCV/Syphilis)
- Complete blood count and biochemistry
- Thyroid function tests
- Ultrasound for uterine assessment
- Psychological evaluation and counseling
- Gynecological history review
- Previous pregnancy/delivery records
- Genetic carrier screening (optional)
- Drug and nicotine testing
💰 Costs & Payments FAQs
Pricing, payment plans, and financial aspects of surrogacy 2026
| Type of Surrogacy | Cost Range (INR) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Full Surrogacy (with IVF) | ₹10-18 lakhs | IVF cycle, surrogate care, legal, delivery |
| Frozen Embryo Transfer | ₹8-12 lakhs | FET cycle, surrogate, legal, delivery |
| Donor Egg Surrogacy | ₹12-20 lakhs | Donor eggs, IVF, surrogate, legal, delivery |
| Additional IVF Cycle | ₹2-3 lakhs | If first cycle unsuccessful |
- IVF Treatment: ₹4-6 lakhs
- Surrogate Medical Costs: ₹3-5 lakhs
- Legal & Documentation: ₹1-2 lakhs
- Hospital Delivery: ₹2-3 lakhs
- Insurance for Surrogate: ₹0.5-1 lakh
Answer: Yes, most clinics including SheIVF offer phased payment plans:
- 20-30% upfront: During initial consultation and agreement signing
- 50% before embryo transfer: After legal clearances and surrogate synchronization
- 20% post-pregnancy confirmation: After positive pregnancy test at 6-8 weeks
- EMI facilities through medical financing partners
- Insurance coverage for certain medical complications
- Refund policies for unsuccessful cycles (varies by clinic)
- International payment options for NRIs/foreigners
⚖️ Legal Aspects FAQs
Eligibility, documentation, court orders and legal requirements
| Category | Eligibility Status | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Married Couples | Eligible | 5+ years married, proven infertility |
| Single Women (Widowed/Divorced) | Eligible | Aged 35-45, medical need |
| NRIs | Conditional | From surrogacy-legal countries |
| LGBTQ+ Couples | Not Eligible | Excluded under current law |
| Single Men | Not Eligible | Excluded under current law |
Answer: Comprehensive legal documentation is mandatory for surrogacy in India:
- Form 3: Surrogacy agreement between all parties
- Form 4: Embryo consent and ownership agreement
- Court Order: Parentage order before embryo transfer
- Medical Certificate: Proof of infertility/need for surrogacy
- Marriage certificate (for couples)
- Age proof of all parties
- Affidavits of understanding and consent
- Insurance policy for surrogate
- Notarized affidavits from surrogate's husband
| Category | Average Time | Key Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Couples | 3-6 months | Documentation, medical board, court order |
| NRIs/Foreigners | 6-9 months | Extra documentation, embassy clearance |
| Single Women | 4-7 months | Additional affidavits and proofs |
Legal Process Timeline:
- Month 1-2: Documentation collection and preparation
- Month 2-4: District Medical Board approval
- Month 4-6: Court filing and parentage order
- Month 6+: Embassy clearance (for foreigners)
🌍 International Parents FAQs
FAQ for NRIs and foreigners considering surrogacy in India
Answer: Yes, but with specific conditions:
- Married Couples Only: Must be legally married for 5+ years
- Country Restrictions: Must be from a country where surrogacy is legal
- Embassy Clearance: Must obtain clearance from their embassy in India
- Genetic Link Required: At least one parent must provide genetic material (egg/sperm)
- No Donor Gametes: Cannot use donor eggs or sperm if both parents are foreign
- Legal Process: Must follow all Indian legal requirements including court order
| Country | Process | Average Time |
|---|---|---|
| USA | CRBA + passport application | 4-6 weeks |
| UK | Parental Order application | 6-12 months |
| Canada | Citizenship certificate | 3-4 months |
| Australia | Citizenship by descent | 3-5 months |
| UAE/GCC | Visa sponsorship | 1-2 months |
- Birth certificate with intended parents' names
- Court order establishing parentage
- Passport application with photos
- Embassy appointment and interview
- Medical examination reports
- DNA test results (if required by embassy)
SheIVF Assistance: We provide comprehensive support for international parents including embassy coordination, document preparation, and travel planning assistance.
🤰 Surrogate Related FAQs
Surrogate screening, compensation, relationship and rights
Answer: Under India's altruistic surrogacy model, commercial compensation is banned. However, legitimate expenses are covered:
| Expense Category | Typical Coverage | Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Full coverage including delivery | Mandatory |
| Insurance | ₹5L+ medical complication policy | Mandatory |
| Nutrition & Wellness | ₹10-15k/month supplements | Permitted |
| Maternity Clothing | ₹20-30k allowance | Permitted |
| Travel for Appointments | Actual costs covered | Mandatory |
Answer: Yes, ethical clinics arrange appropriate meetings:
- Joint Counseling Sessions: Mediated meetings with counselor present
- Structured Q&A Meetings: Opportunity to ask questions in controlled environment
- Regular Updates: During pregnancy through clinic coordination
- Boundaries Established: Clear guidelines for communication frequency and method
Answer: This is rare in properly managed surrogacy arrangements:
- Legally Binding Contracts: Surrogacy agreements are legally binding after court approval
- Extremely Rare: Less than 1% cases as per 2024 Indian surrogacy data
- Comprehensive Counseling: Multiple counseling sessions ensure surrogate fully understands commitment
- Legal Recourse: Intended parents have legal rights established through court order
- Thorough psychological screening before selection
- Multiple counseling sessions explaining all aspects
- Clear legal documentation of rights and responsibilities
- Ongoing emotional support throughout pregnancy
- Mediation available for any concerns or conflicts
SheIVF Protocol: We have never had a case of surrogate changing her mind due to our comprehensive screening, counseling, and support systems.
❓ Miscellaneous FAQs
Additional common questions about surrogacy
Answer: Yes, but with restrictions under ICMR guidelines:
| Age of Egg Provider | Maximum Embryos Allowed | Twin Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 years | 1 embryo | Natural twins only (identical) |
| 35-40 years | 2 embryos | 20-30% chance of twins |
| Over 40 years | 3 embryos (special cases) | 30-40% chance of multiples |
Answer: No, current Indian laws exclude same-sex couples from surrogacy.
- Legal Restriction: Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021 only permits heterosexual married couples or single women
- Marriage Requirement: Only legally married couples recognized under Indian law are eligible
- Alternative Options: LGBTQ+ couples may consider surrogacy in other countries with more inclusive laws
- Legal Challenges: Several petitions are pending in Indian courts challenging this restriction
- USA (certain states)
- Canada
- UK (with additional requirements)
- Georgia
- Mexico (certain states)
- Colombia
Future Outlook: Legal experts anticipate possible amendments to include LGBTQ+ couples, but no timeline is confirmed for 2026.
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- Updated Information: All FAQs updated for 2026 legal and medical guidelines
- Comprehensive Answers: Detailed explanations with current data and statistics
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- Legal Accuracy: Information verified by our in-house legal team
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