Surrogacy is when a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple. Surrogacy is legal in the UK, but a surrogate can only be paid reasonable expenses. This is known as altruistic surrogacy.
We can help you find out more about what surrogacy involves so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Current UK law allows altruistic surrogacy in the UK and although it’s not regulated, you’ll be more protected working with a registered organisation. MSJ are recommended by the Government and our founders are heavily involved in supporting law reform for a new pathway to legal parenthood.
Surrogacy in the UK is altruistic and is likely to remain this way, and for many this is exactly what is preferred. One of the initial misconceptions with UK Surrogacy is that people often think it’s highly complex, illegal, or anti-family. This isn’t the case at all, altruistic surrogacy is perfectly legal in the UK, furthermore the law is currently in the process of a reform by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission.
Family building for British and Irish domiciled intended parents via international surrogacy has evolved since 2016 when India and Thailand, both of which were very popular destinations for those turning to international surrogacy, made it illegal for foreigners to travel there for surrogacy. Canada is no longer a destination that should be considered either. There is a shortage of available surrogates, meaning Intended Parents are paying costly agency fees for up to a 3-4 year wait to find a surrogate. The war in Ukraine impacted the options for heterosexual Intended Parents too, and quite rightly so. Exploring surrogacy during any type of political unrest or conflict/war is dangerous, exploitative and not in the interest of the welfare of the child or gestational carrier.
At My Surrogacy Journey, we recognised that there was a need to provide our members with a safe pathway for international surrogacy. So we spent time with fertility and medical professionals and a specialist human rights lawyer, all in Mexico City to develop the Mexico City pathway for intended parents.
The USA provides another option for safe, ethical and well established surrogacy across the many states that allow it in the USA and is a popular choice for UK intended parents. Surogacy arrangemets in these states are recognised by the law and a typical journey takes 18 to 36 months. A USA journey can be costly and so budget management is vital.
Whether you’re considering your own surrogacy journey or thinking about becoming a surrogate, we know that learning all about the clinical process is an important part of your journey and you’ll have lots of questions. As a member of MSJ, our Clinical Director will be on hand to talk you through this, but for now you can read more about the process here.
My Surrogacy Journey The Podcast brings you a wealth of information to support you on your journey, or to help you learn more if you’re considering surrogacy. Hosted by Mike and Wes, they are joined by experts in the field of reproduction, clinics, counsellors lawyers and more! 3 seasons as well as a Mexico City edition answering all your questions about surrogacy in Mexico City.
We also have a podcast dedicated just to surrogates – The Surrogate Podcast. Hosted by the wonderful Kay and Hayley , surrogates themselves, they bring to you a season full of everything you might want to know – from the voice of surrogates themselves. as they are joined by other surrogates and discuss key matters.
We’re hosting an informal evening at Soho House—and anyone interested in learning more about surrogacy—and we’d love for you to join us.
📍 Where: Brighton Beach House, The Terraces, Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1AY
🗓️ When: Wednesday, 21st May 2025
🕢 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Feel free to swing by for a quick chat or stay the whole time—whatever works for you. No pressure, just good company.
Space is limited, so please RSVP using the link below if you’d like to come along.
Hope to see you there,
The My Surrogacy Journey Team
It looks like you're in LOADING COUNTRY.
Would you like to go to our LOADING COUNTRY site instead?
