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Best surrogacy destinations for heterosexual couples
For heterosexual marriages, the range of destinations can be wider than for other family models. Each country has its own laws, requirements, and procedures, making it crucial for interested couples to inform themselves thoroughly before deciding.
Ukraine
The most popular destination for heterosexual marriages, with a mature legal framework and competitive pricing between €40,000-65,000.
Married heterosexual couples only
Medical requirement
No minimum marriage time
At least one spouse
Georgia
Legal since 1997, with contracts signed before embryo transfer and intended parents recognized at birth.
Married or stable couples
Medical report required
At least one spouse
Pre-transfer contracts
Colombia
A flexible destination with the simplest medical requirements of all open destinations — only genetic contribution and a psychological exam.
Completely legal
Only requirements
Mexico · Cancun & State of Mexico
Open to foreign heterosexual marriages, with 2016 court rulings backing the process and a Spanish-speaking medical environment.
Foreign heterosexual marriages accepted
Genetic contribution
Court rulings since 2016
Czech Republic · Cross-Border
A European option open to heterosexual couples with no infertility report required — IVF in Cyprus, Ukrainian surrogate, birth in Prague.
Open to heterosexual couples
IVF in Cyprus
European birth
Unmarried Heterosexual Couples
In most countries where surrogacy is permitted for heterosexual marriages, the option is also available for unmarried heterosexual couples. However, Ukraine stands out as a notable exception: its legislation is more restrictive and specifically requires a marriage certificate to access the surrogacy process. If you are an unmarried heterosexual couple, Colombia, Mexico, Georgia, and the Czech Republic Cross-Border program all welcome you.
Surrogacy in the US: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, there is no federal legislation regulating surrogacy uniformly. Each state has its own laws and regulations, creating a diverse and sometimes confusing legal landscape. The breakdown below groups the most relevant states by tier.
Most Favorable States
These states have the clearest and most established laws. They allow surrogacy for any family model — heterosexual, same-sex, or single — and pre-birth filiation orders are typically available.
Conditional States
These states allow surrogacy but under certain restrictions or conditions. In Texas and Utah, for example, surrogacy is only permitted for married couples with prior judicial approval of the contract.
No Specific Legislation
These states do not have laws specifically regulating surrogacy, but their courts tend to rule favorably for the parties involved. Practice is generally allowed through case law.
Prohibited States
Surrogacy is prohibited or considered illegal in these states. In some, the practice may even be considered a criminal offense, exposing participants to serious legal consequences.
Requirements for heterosexual intended parents
Although the access window is the widest for heterosexual couples, every open destination shares a common baseline of requirements. Understanding these prerequisites will help you evaluate your options clearly.
Genetic Contribution
At least one spouse must provide genetic material to the IVF process, establishing a biological bond with the baby in every open destination.
Medical Reports
Ukraine and Georgia require a medical report certifying the woman’s incapacity to gestate or risk to her life or the baby’s. Other destinations do not.
Psychological Evaluation
All destinations require the couple to pass a psychological evaluation to confirm they are ready for the emotional journey of surrogacy.
Legal Counsel
We recommend specialized legal counsel in your country of origin to understand how filiation will be recognized once you return home with your baby.
