A key question for many is where to access International surrogacy. If it is legal in your country and you can afford it and can locate a suitable surrogate, surrogacy in your home country is the ideal option. (see Countries Allowing Surrogacy Globally)

Before choosing a destination, find out

1. What legal protections if any does the jurisdiction offer to intended parents and surrogates?
2. Is transfer of legal parentage available in the jurisdiction in question?
3. What are the eligibility criteria for surrogacy (Do you need to be a citzen of that country? Is it available to single men? Gay couples? Unmarried heterosexual couples?)
4. How long are the exit requirements post birth?
5. Is surrogate compensation allowed?
6. Is Health insurance available for the surrogate and any post birth complications?
7. Are contracts legally enforceable?
8. What Neo-Natal Intensive Care Facilities are available?
9. What do these cost?
10. Can the intended parent(s) be present at the birth?

Regulatory Issues which may be relevant

1. Is there a Medical Registry for updating the medical history of the surrogates or the children?
2. Is there a registry for the surrogate and children to exchange information when the child reaches maturity?

The table below lists issues related to international surrogacy costs and other related info in various countries which allow it.

Country	Limitations	Egg Donors
AUSTRALIA	Altruistic surrogacy only available. No donor or surrogate matching available. Advertising for surrogates not legal. All donors must be identified Ethics committee approval often required. Foreigners cannot access surrogacy in Australia	User groups such as www.eggdonationaustralia.com.au can provide
CANADA	Altruistic surrogacy only available. Foreigners can access surrogacy	via seperate Egg donor providers
GREECE	Heterosexual couples and single females eligible. Foreign nationals allowed to engage. Surrogate cannot be compensated beyond out-of-pocket expenses	Donors, if required, must be anonymous. Eggs/embryos/sperm are able to be shipped directly from your registered clinic.
GEORGIA	Compensated surrogacy available  to heterosexual couples, including foreigners. Legal protections in place
INDIA	Only available for Indian residents	In-country donors are anonymous however donor photos may be available other details provided: age, height, weight, previous donation history, children, blood group, education level/ occupation
ISRAEL	Altruistic surrogacy available only to heterosexual Israeli residents
KENYA	Compensated surrogacy available to locals and foreigners. No legal protection
LAOS	Compensated Surrogacy available  to foreigners. Gestation & birth occurs in Thailand. No legal protection
MEXICO	Tabasco state closed to surrogacy. Other states have no legal protections. Embryo transfer occurs in Cancun or Mexico City often	Caucasian and Latin Sperm and Egg Donors available. Possible to bring your own surrogate and /or known donor. No waiting list
NIGERIA	Altruistic and commercial surrogacy available to Nigerian heterosexual residents	Egg donors available
SOUTH AFRICA	Altruistic surrogacy available to heterosexual South African residents
THAILAND	Only available altruistically to Thai residents
UK	Altruistic surrogacy only available. Advertising for surrogates not legal foreigners cannot access surrogacy in UK
UKRAINE	Only heterosexual married couples	Caucasian, offer photos with family history, occupation/ area of study, previous donor history and physical details.
USA	Gay and heterosexual foreigners can access surrogacy here see surrogacy laws by US state	Very wide range available from donor agencies or privately

Country	Approx Costs($US)	Donor & Surrogate screening	Years Experience	Legal Issues
AUSTRALIA	IVF: $25,000 Expenses: $10,000 Legals & counselling: $22,000	Donor screening offered only if through an egg bank	<5 years	Transfer of legal parentage available 4-6 months post birth if uncompensated surrogacy used domestically.
GEORGIA	IVF: $8,500 Surrogacy: $26,000 + Local egg donor add $5,000 +	according to age, genetics and lifestyle, mental and physical health	10 years	Intended Parents named on birth certificate to meet the criteria of countries such as the UK, single surrogates are available and DNA testing is available
CANADA	$90,000		>15 years	Transfer of parentage. Canadian passport available
KENYA	$50,000		<3 years	No legal protection
UK		Surrogacy UK, COTS	>15 years	Transfer of legal parentage available
USA	IVF costs: $30,000 Surrogacy: $68,000 Other costs: $30,000	Varies by agency	30 years	Parents names on the BC as mother and father
UKRAINE	IVF: $8,500 Surrogacy: $26,000 + Local egg donor add $5,000 +	according to age, genetics and lifestyle, mental and physical health	~5 years	Intended Parents named on birth certificate to meet the criteria of countries such as the UK, single surrogates are available and DNA testing is available. No eligibility for Ukraine citizenship
GREECE	IVF: $20,100 Surrogacy: $44,000 Legals: $10,000+ Local egg donor: $1,360		10+ years	Recently opened up to foreigners Parents names on the BC as mother and father. Court case prior to IVF ensures transfer of parentage occurs before embryo transfer
MEXICO	$80,000 (incl US egg donor)	unknown	<1 year