Free guidance on parental orders, leave and pay for intended parents, surrogate mother employment rights, and the legal process for establishing parenthood after a surrogacy arrangement.
In the UK, the surrogate is the legal mother at birth regardless of genetics. Intended parents must apply for a Parental Order within 6 months of birth to become the legal parents. At least one intended parent must be genetically related to the child.
The intended primary parent may be entitled to adoption leave and pay. The partner may take paternity leave. Commercial surrogacy arrangements are not legally enforceable in the UK.
Key areas covered: surrogacy rights, parental order, legal parenthood, surrogacy leave, intended parents. Verified against GOV.UK and HFEA.
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Important: The surrogate is legally the child's mother at birth regardless of genetics. A parental order is required to transfer legal parenthood. Always seek specialist legal advice.
Describe your surrogacy situation — include whether you are an intended parent or surrogate, how far into the process you are, and what rights or legal question you need guidance on.
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