Surrogacy in Russia and alternatives

Russia is one of the few places where commercial surrogacy is completely legal (along with Ukraine, Georgia, and some US states). Foreigners can pay a Russian woman for using her shot.

Every year, surrogate mothers in Russia give birth to hundreds, maybe thousands, of children (estimates vary). By 2020, up to 1,000 children born to surrogate mothers in Russia for foreign families will be stranded in the country after the borders were closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Surrogacy has existed in Russia since 1995 for heterosexual couples. The first surrogate twin was born in St. Petersburg.

The official law on commercial surrogacy and financial compensation for pregnancy was adopted in November 2011. 
Russia has introduced a law banning foreigners from using Russian surrogate mothers to create a practice that critics say is commercializing the birth of children.

Surrogacy exists in major Russian cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Vladivostock, and Yekaterinburg. Outside Moscow and St. Petersburg, costs can be much lower.

The legal situation in Russia

• A woman who is ready to become a substitute should be 20-35 years old. The woman does not have to be married.
• The potential surrogate must have healthy children (1-3) and be mentally and physically healthy.
• Intended parents may not be able to have their child, which must be confirmed by a medical examination.
• The marital status of the parents concerned is not important. A single person also has the right to surrogacy
• Local alternative programs are available to foreigners. 
• Russian surrogates have the right to parents. Instead, the surrogate has signed a contract that specifies the rights of both parties and their consent to give the child to the intended parents. The primary problem of surrogates is that the intended parents may refuse to take care.
• Surrogate mothers cannot be genetically linked to the baby. This means that all surrogacy is gestational.

The cost of surrogacy in Russia

Currently, a surrogacy program in Russia costs between $ 35,000 and $ 55,000, which is about 2.5 million rubles ($ 39,000). Still, it largely depends on the surrogacy agency or Russian clinics that intended parents are dealing with as the cost would include various aspects like IVF, prenatal care, and legal counsel. 

Egg Donors

Russia comes as one of those few countries that don’t imply any restrictions on Egg donations. Anonymous egg donation is permitted with egg donors but the person has to be aged between 20-35 years while having at least one healthy child of her own. 

Step-by-step process of surrogacy in Russia 

Intended parents complete a profile and bio and undertake blood tests and sperm analysis (as applicable)
Intended parents provide identity documents and a Police check
Intended parents sign agreement with Global Surrogacy.

Intended parents obtain a medical letter setting out their medical indications for surrogacy.
Intended parents obtain legal marriage, birth, and change of name certificates.

Intended parents pay the first installment in accordance with the Global Surrogacy invoice.
Intended parents sign a Power of Attorney allowing our Ukrainian lawyer to enter into Gestational Carrier Agreements on their behalf.

Global Surrogacy arrange for marriage certificate and change of name certificates to be apostilled.
If applicable egg/sperm donor selected and agreement signed.
Intended parents provide clear instructions to the clinic on embryo transfer protocols.

Intended parents provide their sperm or embryos to our clinic – in person or by shipment.
Embryo transfer to the surrogate mother. Intended parents are introduced to a prospective surrogate within days of making their first payment.

Confirmed surrogate pregnancy and Intended parents formalize the Gestational Carrier Agreement by executing it directly with the surrogate.

Certain Russian surrogacy agencies provide all liaison and coordination with our team in Ukraine throughout the pregnancy.
Intended parents receive regular updates and access to medical reports, ultrasound images, and blood test results.

In the final month of pregnancy the doctor will advise a tentative delivery date;
Within 3 days after birth, for married couples, Global Surrogacy will obtain the birth certificate;
Certain Russian surrogacy agencies assist with the preparation and lodgment of Citizenship and passport applications for the child. 

References:

https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/03/18/russias-liberal-surrogacy-rules-are-under-threat
https://globalsurrogacy.baby/surrogacy-countries/russia/