Last updated: July 2026 by TCC Surrogacy Service Legal Team
After years of preparation, medical procedures, and emotional ups and downs, your baby has finally been born through surrogacy. You might think the hardest part is over. But there’s one critical legal step that stands between you and full parental rights: the parentage order. Without it, you may not be recognized as the legal parent in your home country or the country where your baby was born.
Quick Summary: A parentage order is a court judgment that legally recognizes intended parents as the child’s parents, replacing the surrogate’s name on the birth certificate. The process typically takes 2-6 months after birth, requires extensive documentation, and must be completed before applying for your baby’s passport.
A parentage order is a legal document issued by a court that establishes the intended parents as the sole legal parents of a child born through surrogacy.
In most surrogacy destinations, the birth mother is initially listed as the legal mother on the birth certificate. A parentage order severs her legal rights and transfers them entirely to the intended parents.
Without a valid parentage order:
For families using international surrogacy, securing a parentage order is the single most important post-birth legal step.
Georgia is unique: under Article 143 of the Georgian Healthcare Law, the intended parents are listed on the birth certificate from day one. No separate parentage order is required.
Kyrgyzstan requires a post-birth court proceeding. The process takes 4-8 weeks if documents are properly prepared.
Kenya relies on birth certificate + DNA test. Families complete a “readoption” process in their home country.
Most parentage order applications require:
Total timeline: 2-4 months in most jurisdictions. Start preparing before the baby is born.
Yes. The birth mother is the legal mother regardless of genetics.
In most cases, no. You need the parentage order to apply for your baby’s passport.
In reputable destinations (Georgia, Kyrgyzstan), the surrogacy agreement is legally binding.
A parentage order is the legal foundation of your family. Georgia and Kyrgyzstan offer some of the strongest legal protections for intended parents in 2026.
Need expert guidance? Schedule a free legal consultation today.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Georgia Surrogacy Services,Legal IVF Hospital,Global Fertility Agency