Surrogacy Legislation in Ukraine

Ukraine legislation permits surrogacy for domestic and international couples. It is a well regulated practice and the surrogacy contracts are enforceable under the Federal legislation. The legal framework for surrogacy in Ukraine is more comprehensive than other European countries. Many European countries either do not permit surrogacy at all or only as an altruistic service.

According to the Family Code of Ukraine 123.2, if a married couple creates an embryo with ART (Assisted Reproductive Treatments) and the baby is born through implantation of that embryo into another woman’s womb, the couple is recognized as the parents of the newborn.

Ukrainian surrogacy legislation only permits gestational surrogacy. It does not give any parental right to the surrogate. In fact, it gives upholds the importance of the contract signed between the surrogate and intending parents.

The parental rights are awarded to the intended couple from the moment of conception. There is no such court procedure involved where there is a need to transfer the parental right from the surrogate to the intending couple. 

The birth certificate bears the names of the intended couple not that of the woman (surrogate) carrying the fetus for a full term pregnancy. This is applicable even if sperm and egg donors are used. The couple should be married. Under the Ukraine law, same-sex marriage is not allowed.

Other benefits offered by Ukraine’s surrogacy legislation:

  • No restriction in payments related to surrogacy
  • No legal hassles to get court order
  • No need of adopting formalities of the newborn
  • Intended couples are awarded the parental rights regardless of their genetic links with the baby.
  • A couple can opt for surrogacy program, egg/sperm donation or special embryo donation programs or a combination of programs.

However, each of the programs demand signed informed consent of all the parties involved like the intended couples, surrogate and egg/sperm donors in a well-framed agreement.

Citizenship of the baby born through surrogacy of foreign couples

Citizenship law of Ukraine does not leave any room of automatic Ukrainian citizenship for a child born from a surrogate mother through embryo transfer by a foreign married couple. The citizenship of Ukraine for such a child can be acquired only if he/she has not acquired the citizenship of his/her parents (foreigners in this case) and the parents are permanent residents of Ukraine according to the legal framework.

Prerequisites for Surrogacy Maternity program

Medical requirements/screening

Couples intending to take IVF and surrogacy programs in Ukraine must conform to the following:

  • Absence of the womb either since birth or acquired
  • Deformed cervix or birth canal rendering pregnancy and delivery impossible
  • Severe medical conditions making impossible to complete a full term pregnancy
  • Synechia ( adhesions or fibrous scars) in the uterine cavity
  • Failure in more than 4 attempts of high-quality embryo transfer

These indications need to be confirmed by a doctor and supported by due medical records in official letterheads released by medical institutions carrying the doctor’s signature. Both the male and female or the one providing the genetic material (sperm or egg) for embryo creation through IVF should undergo specific medical screening to prove their eligibility to participate in the surrogacy program.

The Instruction on Procedures for ART confirms the list of tests. It is a standard mandatory regimen for all IVF clinics. International patients whose tests are done outside Ukraine should get their records translated into Ukrainian by an official translator.

Legal documents to be provided:

The following documents should be submitted to Dr Prem Demo3:

  • Copies of passport of both the male and female.
  • An application showing your willingness to take Dr Prem Demo3 service with thorough understanding of the offerings.
  • Marriage certificate of the intending couple with Apostille. This can be done on the original marriage certificate or the duplicate certificate. Copies are not acceptable. If the home country of the couple is not the member of Apostille, the certificate should be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign affairs of their residing country and the consulate of Ukraine.
  • Letter from the doctor ( in the official letterhead of the doctor/clinic) diagnosing infertility
  • Detailed medical records bearing the proof of infertility and the related treatments taken
  • Notarized contract documents signed between the surrogate and intended parents
  • In case, Dr Prem Demo3 staff signs the notary contract of the surrogate on behalf of the intended couple, a notarized POA (Power of Attorney) with Apostille is required.

Eligibility for a surrogate

The Family Code and Order N771 issued by the Ukraine Health Ministry also mandate the following requirements for a surrogate:

  • Must be within 25-35 years of age
  • Should be the biological mother of at least one child through successful completion of a pregnancy term
  • Should possess sound mental and physical health
  • A surrogate need not have any relation with the intended couple.
  • Marital status of the surrogate is not important
  • She should willingly sign the surrogacy agreement with the intended couple