Surrogacy In Tbilisi 2026 What Surrogates Need To Know

Please treat this article as general information and not as legal or medical advice. Rules can change quickly, and the details depend on each case. Always confirm the current position with a licensed Georgian lawyer, and with a lawyer in your home country if you are a foreign family.

The Legal Picture In 2026

Understanding the law is the first task for every participant. The picture below is general, and it should be verified before any agreement is signed.

Surrogacy Is Regulated, Not Informal

As far as widely reported, surrogacy in Georgia takes place inside licensed medical institutions and through formal documents. It is not meant to be an informal private arrangement. A legal guide published by a Georgian law firm in October 2026 describes surrogacy and IVF as legal, and says that current law does not distinguish between Georgian citizens and foreigners.

The Bill That Was Proposed In 2023

In June 2023, the Georgian government announced a plan to limit surrogacy and related IVF services to Georgian citizens and to allow only altruistic arrangements. A bill was tabled, but according to the same October 2026 legal guide, it had not been adopted. It is described as still pending in parliament, and it contains no clear transition rules. This means that the situation could change, and anyone planning treatment should ask for the latest information in writing.

Why The Uncertainty Matters

If rules change while a programme is running, families may face delays or new conditions. For this reason, ask the clinic how it would handle a change in the law, and ask your lawyer what protection your signed documents provide.

Always Check Official And Independent Sources

Websites of clinics and agencies may present the situation in the most favourable light. Compare their statements with independent legal advice and with official sources, and treat promises that everything is guaranteed with caution.

Who Can Be Intended Parents

Eligibility rules are one of the most important parts of the programme. Requirements are described below in general terms.

Couples Of A Man And A Woman

According to the legal guide mentioned above, surrogacy is available to a man and a woman who have been married for at least one year or who have lived together for at least the last year. Single people and same sex couples are described as unable to take part in a surrogacy contract.

Medical Indication

The same guide says that Georgian law permits surrogacy only where the woman has no uterus. Other sources describe wider medical reasons, so the correct reading in your case must be confirmed by a lawyer and by the clinic in writing. Do not rely on a general statement from an advertisement.

Proof Of The Relationship

Cohabitation or marriage must be proven with documents. Notaries may refuse to certify a contract if the evidence is missing or unreliable. Prepare marriage certificates, residence records or other documents early, with translations if needed.

Genuine Intention To Raise The Child

Authorities have expressed concern about arrangements that are not genuine. Intended parents should be ready to show that they plan to raise the child as their own, and they should cooperate openly with notaries and officials.

Who Can Be A Surrogate

Surrogates in Georgia are generally Georgian women, and their health and consent are central to the process.

Basic Medical Requirements

Programmes normally look for women in good general health who have had previous healthy pregnancies. They check blood tests, infection screening, the condition of the womb and the history of earlier births.

Psychological Preparation

A good programme includes counselling so that the surrogate understands the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and the plan for the days after birth. She should feel free to ask questions and to withdraw before the medical process begins.

Family And Personal Situation

Clinics often consider whether the woman has stable support at home and a safe living situation. The aim is to protect her health and wellbeing, and not to judge her private life.

Voluntary Participation

A surrogate must take part freely, without pressure from relatives, agents or financial difficulty. If she feels unsure, she has the right to stop before treatment starts and to ask for independent advice.

Legal Parentage After Birth

Parentage is the most sensitive legal question for everyone. The following is based on the general description of Georgian practice.

Intended Parents Are Registered

According to the legal guide, the intended parents are registered as the child's parents. The surrogate, and any donor, can never be registered as the child's parents. This is the core principle that gives families certainty.

The Role Of The Notary

All parties apply to one notary and sign one notarial deed. The surrogate must appear in person and cannot sign through a representative. If donors are involved, a medical certificate confirming the donation is needed. The notary must refuse to certify the contract if documents are missing.

Timing Of The Contract

The guide states that the contract must be signed before the embryo is created. For frozen embryos, it must be signed before implantation, within a time limit that the guide describes as ten years from creation. If you already have frozen embryos, ask a lawyer how this applies to you.

Donor Information

Even when a donor is not a legal parent, some personal details may still appear on documents filed with the civil registry, according to the guide. Intended parents should ask what information will be recorded and who can access it.

Rights And Duties Of Surrogates

A fair programme protects the woman who carries the pregnancy. Her rights are not optional extras.

Informed Consent

She should receive full information about the medical steps, the risks of pregnancy and birth, the time commitment and what happens after delivery. Consent should be given in person and in writing, with the support of a lawyer where possible.

Medical Care

She is entitled to regular check ups, quality prenatal care and delivery in a suitable hospital. The programme should have a clear plan for complications, including who decides and how quickly she can reach a doctor.

Compensation And Expenses

According to the legal guide, the law does not expressly permit or prohibit payment to surrogates. This is an area where practice and policy debate can differ, so the agreement should state clearly what costs are covered and how they are handled. Surrogates should ask for explanations before signing and keep copies of every document.

Privacy And Dignity

Her personal information should be protected, and she should be treated with respect throughout the process. Pressure, secrecy about important matters or unfair conditions are warning signs.

Support After The Birth

Recovery after birth can be physical and emotional. A responsible programme offers follow up care and a place to ask questions, and it respects her decision to move on privately.

Rights And Duties Of Intended Parents

Intended parents also have responsibilities, and understanding them leads to a safer experience.

Honest Information And Documents

Provide accurate medical records, identity documents and proof of your relationship. False statements can damage the programme and may create legal problems.

Respect For The Surrogate

Follow the agreed medical plan, communicate through the agreed channel and treat the surrogate kindly. Ethical behaviour is as important as legal compliance.

Financial Responsibility

Pay according to the agreed stages, and keep every invoice. Ask for a written list of what is included so that surprises are less likely.

Planning For The Child

Prepare for travel documents, recognition in your home country and the care of a newborn. These steps take time and should be discussed with lawyers early.

The Medical Journey In Tbilisi

While the legal framework is important, the medical process shapes the daily experience of everyone involved.

Consultation And Evaluation

The process usually starts with an online or in person consultation, followed by tests for the intended parents and a plan for embryo creation. The clinic should explain each step, the expected timeline and possible alternatives.

Embryo Creation And Transfer

Eggs are collected from the intended mother or a donor and fertilised in the laboratory. After embryo development, the doctor transfers an embryo to the surrogate. Many clinics prefer single embryo transfer to reduce the risk of twins.

Pregnancy Monitoring

The surrogate receives regular scans and tests, with updates shared with the intended parents within the agreement. A strong hospital partnership helps to manage emergencies and delivery.

Birth And Registration

Delivery takes place in a hospital, and the legal registration follows according to Georgian procedures. Families should plan to stay for several weeks for documents and travel papers.

Tbilisi As A Treatment Centre

Tbilisi is the capital and the largest medical centre in Georgia, and it is a natural base for surrogacy programmes.

Clinics And Hospitals

Many established clinics and hospitals are located in Tbilisi, so laboratories, specialists and maternity services are close together. A Georgia IVF center in the capital often coordinates with a partner hospital for delivery.

Travel And Accommodation

Tbilisi has international flight connections and a wide choice of accommodation. Families who plan to stay for registration and travel documents can find apartments and hotels near medical services.

Batumi As An Alternative

Batumi, on the Black Sea coast, also offers modern medical facilities and a relaxed atmosphere in warm months. Some programmes work in both cities. Always confirm that the clinic and the hospital are licensed and experienced in surrogacy.

Warning Signs And Safe Practices

Because surrogacy attracts commercial interest, families should learn to recognise unreliable offers.

Guaranteed Results

No clinic can guarantee pregnancy or a baby. Promises of certain success should be treated with suspicion.

Pressure To Sign Quickly

Do not sign contracts or make large payments under pressure. Take time to read, ask questions and consult independent lawyers.

Vague Or Missing Documents

If the provider avoids giving written contracts, medical details or legal explanations, look for another clinic. Transparent programmes provide documents and explain them clearly.

Unlicensed Intermediaries

Verify licences and ask for the names of the clinic and the hospital. Avoid agents who cannot clearly describe who is responsible for each part of the process.

Questions To Ask Before You Begin

A prepared list of questions makes your conversations more productive.

For Intended Parents

Ask what the current eligibility rules are, how the programme would be affected by a change in the law, who prepares the notarial documents, how parentage is registered and what your home country requires. Ask also how many attempts the agreement covers and what happens if the first transfer fails.

For Surrogates

Ask what your medical care includes, what the contract says about expenses, who you can contact in an emergency, what happens if there are complications and what support is available after birth. Ask for an independent lawyer if you are not sure.

For Both Sides

Ask how communication will work, how privacy is protected and how disagreements are resolved. Clear answers at the beginning prevent conflict later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Surrogacy Legal In Tbilisi In 2026?

According to a legal guide published in October 2026, surrogacy and IVF are legal, and current law does not distinguish between citizens and foreigners. A 2023 bill that would have limited services to Georgian citizens was described as not adopted. Confirm the latest position with a Georgian lawyer.

Can Single People Or Same Sex Couples Use Surrogacy In Georgia?

The same guide describes surrogacy as available only to a man and a woman who are married or have lived together for at least a year. Eligibility rules can change, so check before you plan treatment.

Who Is Registered As The Legal Parent?

As described in the guide, the intended parents are registered as the child's parents, and the surrogate and donors cannot be registered as parents. Confirm the procedure and the documents with your lawyer.

Can A Surrogate Be Paid?

The guide says that the law does not expressly permit or prohibit payment. Practice and policy debate may vary, so ask for a clear written explanation of what the agreement covers.

When Must The Contract Be Signed?

The guide says that it must be signed before the embryo is created, and for frozen embryos before implantation. Ask a lawyer how this applies to your situation.

What Should I Do If The Law Changes?

Ask your clinic and your lawyer how changes would affect your programme, keep written records of all agreements and avoid paying large sums without clear protection.

Preparing Emotionally And Practically As A Surrogate

Surrogacy asks a great deal from the woman who carries the pregnancy. Good preparation helps her feel confident and safe.

Understanding The Physical Demands

Pregnancy brings changes to sleep, energy, appetite and mobility, and delivery carries medical risks. A surrogate should talk with the doctor about what to expect and how complications would be handled.

Talking With Family

Many surrogates find that open conversation with partners and close relatives reduces stress. Family members should understand the commitment and the fact that the child will be raised by the intended parents.

Preparing For The Goodbye

The end of the pregnancy can bring mixed feelings, including pride, relief and sadness. Counselling before and after birth helps many women, and a respectful programme makes this support easy to reach.

Keeping Personal Records

Keep copies of the contract, medical reports and any messages that confirm decisions. These records protect the surrogate and make it easier to resolve questions later.

Planning As An Intended Parent

Intended parents can reduce stress by planning early and by being realistic about time and documents.

Build A Realistic Timeline

The whole programme often lasts more than a year, including preparation, treatment, pregnancy, registration and travel papers. Ask the clinic for a written schedule, and add extra time for possible delays.

Prepare Documents Early

Collect passports, marriage certificates or proof of cohabitation, medical records and any previous treatment reports. Translations and certified copies can take time, especially when a notary is involved.

Plan Your Visits

Many families travel for egg collection or the sperm sample, for the transfer if they wish to be there, for the birth and for registration. Between visits, online communication can cover updates and decisions.

Think About Your Home Country

Ask a lawyer at home how the child will be recognised, which documents the consulate requires and whether any extra court steps are necessary. This is one of the most common sources of delay, and it is best handled before treatment starts.

Ethical Principles Everyone Should Expect

Law sets the minimum, but ethics shape the quality of the experience. Surrogates and intended parents can look for the following principles in a programme.

Transparency

Everyone should receive clear information about the medical process, the contract, the costs that are covered and the risks. Hidden conditions or last minute changes are warning signs.

Respect For Autonomy

The surrogate makes decisions about her own body and health within the agreed medical plan, and no one should pressure her to take unnecessary risks. Intended parents also make their own decisions about embryo creation and testing.

Protection Of The Child

The child should have a clear legal identity, a nationality and the right to stable care. Good programmes keep accurate records and encourage parents to be open with the child about their origins in an age appropriate way.

Fairness

No party should be exploited. Fair treatment means honest communication, reasonable expectations and respect for each person's role.

Choosing A Georgia IVF Center

The clinic you choose influences the safety and quality of the whole experience.

Licences And Hospital Partnerships

Check that the clinic is licensed, that the partner hospital is real and suitable for maternity care, and that the team has experience with surrogacy cases.

Medical Standards

Ask about laboratory quality, embryo handling, screening of surrogates and the plan for emergencies. A reliable team answers clearly and does not hide risks.

Legal Support

Ask who prepares the notarial documents, how translations are handled and whether the clinic will help you contact independent lawyers. A responsible clinic does not discourage legal advice.

Keeping Your Information Up To Date

Because the debate about surrogacy rules has continued, no article can replace current advice. Before you commit, ask your clinic for the latest legal summary in writing and ask your lawyer to confirm it. Check again before each major payment or medical stage, and keep a dated record of every answer you receive so that decisions are always based on reliable information. Treat every promise carefully and verify it.

Conclusion

Surrogacy in Tbilisi in 2026 is a regulated medical and legal process with real benefits for families who qualify and real responsibilities for everyone involved. Surrogates deserve informed consent, good medical care and respectful treatment, and intended parents deserve clear documents and honest answers. Because debate about restrictions has continued since 2023, check the current rules in writing, use independent lawyers, and choose a Georgia IVF center that works with a licensed hospital and explains every step in Tbilisi or Batumi before you commit.