Surrogacy in Canada
Understand Canadian surrogacy with Growing Families
Canada has been a global leader in altruistic surrogacy for the past two decades. Growing Families helps prospective parents from around the world to understand and navigate the administrative, legal, psychological and medical aspects of their surrogacy arrangements.
While commercial surrogacy is illegal in Canada, intended parents can still benefit from strong legal protections and expert guidance every step of the way. Our team can advise on reputable lawyers, IVF clinics, donor and surrogacy agencies across the country. Unfortunately there can be long wait times for surrogate matching in Canada. Some Canadian providers have closed in recent years, some are tiny, some are large. What is consistently reported is frustration at the lack of surrogates to meet demand along with lower than average success rates and higher surrogate morbidity.
Who can build a family in Canada?
Married heterosexual couples
Married same-sex couples
Singles
De facto couples
Surrogacy in Canada: How it works
The surrogacy process in Canada is structured, transparent and designed to prioritize the well-being of the surrogate, the intended parents and the child. Here’s an overview of how the journey typically unfolds:
Initial consultation with a service provider
Intended parents begin their surrogacy journey by connecting with one or more reputable surrogacy agencies. If the agency has availability on its waitlist and feels the intended parent(s) is/are a good fit, they may be asked to complete an enrolment form. Many agencies charge a fee for being placed on their wait list.
Matching with a surrogate
The agency helps match intended parents with a qualified surrogate. Canadian surrogates must meet eligibility criteria, including being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, meeting the minimum age, and passing psychological and medical evaluations. Unfortunately, Canada does not have the luxury of tight psychological and medical screening given the lack of candidates. Screening by many agencies is completed after the match process and many surrogates ‘fall out’ prior to embryo transfer, requiring re-matching. Intended parents need great patience
Drafting a surrogacy agreement
Before any medical procedures begin, all parties must sign a legal agreement. This surrogacy agreement clearly outlines expectations, responsibilities, and what qualifies as reimbursable expenses, such as maternity clothes, lost wages, travel costs, and medical care. Independent legal counsel for all parties is essential to comply with Canadian surrogacy laws and protect everyone’s rights throughout the process.
Medical screening and evaluations
The surrogate and the intended parents undergo assessments to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the surrogacy process. The surrogate must also meet medical standards set by fertility clinics involved in the embryo transfer and pregnancy care.
Embryo transfer at an IVF clinic
Once medical approvals are in place and embryos made, the embryo transfer is performed at a licensed IVF clinic. This may involve using embryos created from the intended parents’ genetic material or using an egg donor or sperm donor. The IVF clinic coordinates with the agency and legal team so that everything complies with the legal restrictions of assisted human reproduction in Canada.
Pregnancy monitoring and medical care
Throughout the pregnancy, medical providers and agency workers ensure that the surrogate and the baby receive the best medical care. Reasonable expenses related to the medical side of the pregnancy are reimbursed monthly by the intended parents, as outlined in the legal agreement.
Birth and establishing parentage through court order
After the birth, the intended parents work with legal professionals to complete the parentage declaration process. This involves obtaining a court order that recognizes them as the baby’s legal parents. Once issued, the birth certificate is updated to reflect this change. While the exact process will vary between provinces, it is a well established and straightforward procedure across most Canadian provinces.
Surrogacy costs and compensation
The costs of surrogacy in Canada can vary widely, depending on how many IVF cycles, embryo transfers and surrogate re-matches are required. Surrogate travel costs can also be significant depending on her location.
Intended parents must pay for the surrogate’s expenses, including medical costs, maternity clothes, and lost wages.
Surrogates in Canada are not paid for their services, but can receive reimbursement for expenses related to the surrogacy.
The total cost of surrogacy in Canada can range from CAD 80,000 to CAD 160,000, depending on the services and expenses involved.
COSTS RANGE FROM
CAD 80,000
TO
CAD 160,000
Surrogacy laws and regulations
The AHRA regulates surrogacy in Canada, ensuring that all surrogacy agreements are altruistic and that surrogates are not paid for their services.
Surrogacy laws and regulations vary by province, and intended parents must comply with the laws of the province where the surrogacy takes place.
Canadian surrogacy laws prioritize the well-being of children, surrogates, and intended parents, and provide strong legal protections for all parties involved.
Intended parents must enter into a surrogacy agreement with their surrogate, which outlines the terms and conditions of the surrogacy arrangement.
Fertility clinics and services
Canada has many high-quality fertility clinics that offer a range of services, including IVF and egg donation.
Intended parents can choose from a variety of fertility clinics and services, depending on their needs and circumstances.
Fertility clinics in Canada are regulated by the AHRA and must comply with strict standards and guidelines.
Many fertility clinics in Canada offer surrogacy service, but clinics cannotr assist with locating a donor or surrogate. Only a handful of Canadian clinics are set up to service the needs of international singles and couples.
Wait times and matching
Intended parents can expect to wait several months to several years for a match, depending on their preferences and requirements While legal, it is particularly difficult to match foreign single women with a Canadian surrogate .
Surrogacy agencies help intended parents review surrogate profiles of women who have applied to work with their agency. Legally, agencies cannot charge for the matching process itself.
Intended parents should be patient and flexible and should be prepared to wait.
Intended parents, whether foreign or local, are even encouraged to attempt by some agencies to match with Canadian surrogates independently, via social media forums. If they are successful, agencies can manage the team. Note that such a pathway is not without risks.
Why choose surrogacy in Canada?
There are many reasons why intended parents choose surrogacy in Canada:
Altruistic surrogacy: For some cultures the mutual respect and friendship first model sits better with them.
Strong legal protections
Inclusive approach: Same-sex couples, single parents, and people of all marital status and sexual orientation are welcomed.
Dedicated surrogate community: Canadian surrogates are often deeply committed to helping others build families, with no motivation for financial gain.
Trusted healthcare system: The country’s inclusive values and reliable healthcare system provide peace of mind throughout the surrogacy journey.
Access across major cities: Surrogacy services are available in British Columbia and many other provinces across the country, offering convenient access to fertility clinics and legal support.
Getting started on your surrogacy journey in Canada
How to choose the right surrogacy agency in Canada
For a successful and legally sound experience, look for reputable surrogacy agencies that offer:
Experience in the space, with recent past clients who can vouch for them
Low upfront fees: Avoid providers who charge a large upfront fee, given the lack of certainty in Canadian agency matching
Staff who have been surrogates: Such staff tend to engender trust in potential surrogates to enrol with that agency
Expense management support: A team which understands how receiptable expenses work for re-imbursement of items such as maternity clothes, travel costs, lost wages, and medical insurance,
Full journey support: Support throughout the entire journey, including administrative assistance and emotional guidance for all parties involved
Growing Families has extensive experience collaborating with trusted surrogacy agencies in Canada, supporting intended parents through every step of the surrogacy journey.
Consult our experts nowFrequently asked questions
No, surrogacy itself is not illegal. What’s prohibited is commercial surrogacy, where a surrogate mother would legally accept payment beyond reasonable expenses. Under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, Canada allows only altruistic surrogacy, ensuring the process focuses on compassion and fairness rather than financial gain.
The average wait time ranges from 12 to 24 months, though it can vary depending on the availability of Canadian surrogates, the readiness of intended parents to sign a surrogacy agreement, and how quickly a match is made. Working with experienced surrogacy agencies often helps shorten this timeline.
Over the past two decades, Canada has become a popular destination for intended parents because of its ethical surrogacy process, strong legal protections, and inclusive policies for all marital status and sexual orientation. International intended parents especially value the clarity of the legal framework and the reputation of Canadian fertility clinics.
Countries such as the United States or Ukraine allow commercial surrogacy, where surrogate mothers may be compensated significantly. By contrast, Canadian surrogacy laws emphasize altruism, reimbursing only reasonable expenses such as maternity clothes, lost wages, and medical costs. This way, the transaction occurs ethically and prioritizes the well-being of the child and all parties involved.
Yes. Canada recognizes the rights of same-sex couples, singles, and heterosexual couples who choose surrogacy. Through the parentage declaration process and a court order, intended parents are legally recognized, and their names are added to the baby’s birth certificate.
Absolutely. Fertility clinics in Canada offer options for using an egg donor or sperm donor when a genetic link is needed. These arrangements are fully supported by Canadian law and coordinated through licensed clinics as part of the medical side of the surrogacy journey.
About Growing Families
Growing Families is a global leader in supporting intended parents through the surrogacy process. With over a decade of experience and hundreds of families assisted, we specialize in international and domestic surrogacy arrangements that comply with Canadian surrogacy laws.
Our team offers:
Access to trusted surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics
Legal and emotional support throughout your journey
Education on parental rights, the legal framework, and medical care
Help with travel, logistics, and paperwork for international intended parents
Whether you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or coming from abroad, Growing Families is here to make sure your experience is smooth, legal, and rewarding.
Growing Families can help with your surrogacy in Canada
Starting your surrogacy journey can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. From explaining the legal restrictions to helping you draft a valid legal agreement, we guide you through every step. Let us help you bring your baby home safely, legally, and with compassion.
Join our next free webinar or contact us today to take the first step toward your future family in Canada.