Parental Order
Guiding you through surrogacy law with confidence
Our expert surrogacy lawyers provide clear, compassionate advice on parental orders and legal requirements - whether in the UK or overseas. From understanding your rights to securing legal parenthood, we’re here to make the process simple and stress-free.
What is a parental order?
A parental order is a court order which ensures you are the legally recognised parent of your child and permanently removes the legal rights of the surrogate and their spouse. Our surrogacy lawyers can help you navigate this process both here in the UK and overseas.
What are the requirements of a parental order?
A parental order will only be made in respect of a child who has been carried by a surrogate and has a genetic link to one of the applicants.
Who should apply for a parental order?
The application should be filed at court between 6 weeks and 6 months from birth.
‘Altruistic’ surrogacy law
The court must be satisfied that no money or other benefit (other than expenses reasonably incurred) has been paid. Any payments made to the surrogate over and above her actual expenses may be retrospectively authorised by the court. In the absence of anything untoward or inappropriate in the financial dealings between the parties, payments will normally be authorised.
In order to obtain the court’s authorisation, it is therefore important to provide a detailed schedule of sums expended during the surrogacy. It is usually the case that making the parental order is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
Parental orders outside of the UK
The child will hold a passport of their country of birth and will enter the UK on a six month visitor’s visa. When travelling, it is a useful precaution for the parents to have either a letter from the surrogacy lawyer dealing with the parental order application and/or any relevant documentation in relation to the application and documents relating to the legal formalities in the country of birth.
Following the making of a parental order, the court will notify the Registrar of Births who will then issue a UK birth certificate. Once the child has obtained a UK birth certificate an application can be made for a UK passport. Provided that at least one of the child’s legal parents is British, a child will become British on the grant of a parental order.
Effect of a parental order
A parental order confers legal parenthood and parental responsibility on the applicants (the commissioning parents). The effect of the order is conclusive; in surrogacy law, the child is for all purposes treated as the child of the applicants and not the child of the surrogate or her husband (if relevant). As the surrogate does not have parental responsibility or any legal relationship with the child, any future relationship or contact arrangements are solely at the discretion of the commissioning parents.
The main consequence of a parental order is that the child becomes a full child of the family on an irrevocable basis. As a result, there is no remaining relationship between the child and the surrogate mother and her husband (if relevant).
We offer a no-obligation initial consultation to understand your needs and assemble the best legal team for your case. You’ll find us approachable and supportive throughout the process.
Get in touch
Start with an initial no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your options.
Parental order FAQs
No.
If you are a single person, you can apply for a parental order following a surrogacy arrangement. This has been in place since 3 January 2019.
Also if you are in a committed, long term relationship but not married or in a civil partnership you can still apply for a parental order. It is sufficient for you to make a joint application if you are in an enduing long term relationship.
The court must be satisfied that both the surrogate and any other legal parent of the child, for example the surrogate’s husband, has given free and unconditional consent to the making of the order, with a full understanding of the legal implications. Such consent will be invalid if it is given by the surrogate less than six weeks after the birth of the child.
Yes. Same sex male couples can apply for a parental order and will both be named as father on the baby’s birth certificate once the parental order has been granted.
Yes. Even if you have already been through parentage proceedings in the other jurisdiction and are named on a foreign birth certificate, you will still need to apply for a UK parental order upon returning to live in England and Wales. Until the parental order is granted you will not be recognised as the legal parent for your child in England and Wales and will not have legal parental responsibility.
What is the process of a parental order application?
Apply for a parental order.
The court sends Notice of the Proceedings to the applicant(s) and the respondents (the surrogate and her husband, if relevant).
The applicant or applicants file:
- Their own witness statements, which should include detail of their background, links to the UK, journey to parenthood, future welfare issues for the child (including child care, home and schooling), and expenses incurred as part of the surrogacy agreement
- Witness statement of the surrogacy agency, in order to support the applicant’s position in relation to expenses paid
- Witness statement of the surrogate’s physician, in order to establish the genetic link
- Witness statement of the legal representative, in order to demonstrate that the surrogacy has taken place in accordance with the laws of the country in which the child is born
- Acknowledgment of service of the surrogate and any other legal parent, in order to demonstrate that they have been notified of the proceedings; and
- Notarised agreement to the making of the parental order of the surrogate and any other legal parent, in order to demonstrate consent
The court appoints a Parental Order Reporter, in order to obtain a CAFCASS case analysis to assist in determining the welfare and best interests of the child. This process is set in motion when the application is made and may take place before the Directions Hearing.
If possible, the reporter will visit the applicant or applicants at their home. Otherwise, the reporter will liaise with relevant agencies in the applicant’s country of residence.
Directions Hearing: if necessary the court will make directions and set a date for the final hearing. The applicants are not required to attend the Directions Hearing if they are represented.
Final hearing: the judge determines whether he/she is satisfied with the evidence and a parental order is made. If all relevant evidence (including the evidence of the Parental Order Reporter) is available the Directions Hearing can, subject to the court’s approval, be used as a Final Hearing. Applicants and the child are required to attend the Final Hearing.
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Senior Associate
What is a parental order?
A parental order is a court order which ensures you are the legally recognised parent of your child and permanently removes the legal rights of the surrogate and their spouse. Our surrogacy lawyers can help you navigate this process both here in the UK and overseas.
What are the requirements of a parental order?
A parental order will only be made in respect of a child who has been carried by a surrogate and has a genetic link to one of the applicants.
Who should apply for a parental order?
The application should be filed at court between 6 weeks and 6 months from birth.
‘Altruistic’ surrogacy law
The court must be satisfied that no money or other benefit (other than expenses reasonably incurred) has been paid. Any payments made to the surrogate over and above her actual expenses may be retrospectively authorised by the court. In the absence of anything untoward or inappropriate in the financial dealings between the parties, payments will normally be authorised.
In order to obtain the court’s authorisation, it is therefore important to provide a detailed schedule of sums expended during the surrogacy. It is usually the case that making the parental order is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
Parental orders outside of the UK
The child will hold a passport of their country of birth and will enter the UK on a six month visitor’s visa. When travelling, it is a useful precaution for the parents to have either a letter from the surrogacy lawyer dealing with the parental order application and/or any relevant documentation in relation to the application and documents relating to the legal formalities in the country of birth.
Following the making of a parental order, the court will notify the Registrar of Births who will then issue a UK birth certificate. Once the child has obtained a UK birth certificate an application can be made for a UK passport. Provided that at least one of the child’s legal parents is British, a child will become British on the grant of a parental order.
Effect of a parental order
A parental order confers legal parenthood and parental responsibility on the applicants (the commissioning parents). The effect of the order is conclusive; in surrogacy law, the child is for all purposes treated as the child of the applicants and not the child of the surrogate or her husband (if relevant). As the surrogate does not have parental responsibility or any legal relationship with the child, any future relationship or contact arrangements are solely at the discretion of the commissioning parents.
The main consequence of a parental order is that the child becomes a full child of the family on an irrevocable basis. As a result, there is no remaining relationship between the child and the surrogate mother and her husband (if relevant).
A parental order is a court order which ensures you are the legally recognised parent of your child and permanently removes the legal rights of the surrogate and their spouse. Our surrogacy lawyers can help you navigate this process both here in the UK and overseas.
What is a parental order?
A parental order is a court order which ensures you are the legally recognised parent of your child and permanently removes the legal rights of the surrogate and their spouse. Our surrogacy lawyers can help you navigate this process both here in the UK and overseas.
What are the requirements of a parental order?
A parental order will only be made in respect of a child who has been carried by a surrogate and has a genetic link to one of the applicants.
Who should apply for a parental order?
The application should be filed at court between 6 weeks and 6 months from birth.
‘Altruistic’ surrogacy law
The court must be satisfied that no money or other benefit (other than expenses reasonably incurred) has been paid. Any payments made to the surrogate over and above her actual expenses may be retrospectively authorised by the court. In the absence of anything untoward or inappropriate in the financial dealings between the parties, payments will normally be authorised.
In order to obtain the court’s authorisation, it is therefore important to provide a detailed schedule of sums expended during the surrogacy. It is usually the case that making the parental order is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
Parental orders outside of the UK
The child will hold a passport of their country of birth and will enter the UK on a six month visitor’s visa. When travelling, it is a useful precaution for the parents to have either a letter from the surrogacy lawyer dealing with the parental order application and/or any relevant documentation in relation to the application and documents relating to the legal formalities in the country of birth.
Following the making of a parental order, the court will notify the Registrar of Births who will then issue a UK birth certificate. Once the child has obtained a UK birth certificate an application can be made for a UK passport. Provided that at least one of the child’s legal parents is British, a child will become British on the grant of a parental order.
Effect of a parental order
A parental order confers legal parenthood and parental responsibility on the applicants (the commissioning parents). The effect of the order is conclusive; in surrogacy law, the child is for all purposes treated as the child of the applicants and not the child of the surrogate or her husband (if relevant). As the surrogate does not have parental responsibility or any legal relationship with the child, any future relationship or contact arrangements are solely at the discretion of the commissioning parents.
The main consequence of a parental order is that the child becomes a full child of the family on an irrevocable basis. As a result, there is no remaining relationship between the child and the surrogate mother and her husband (if relevant).
Get in touch
Start with an initial no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your options.
Understanding surrogacy law
Watch our expert-led webinar to explore the legal framework surrounding surrogacy in the UK. We’ll cover key considerations for intended parents and surrogates, including agreements, parental rights and recent legal developments. Gain practical insights to navigate this complex area with confidence.
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Meet our team
Stephanie Kyriacou
Managing Associate
Gemma Nicholls-Webber
Managing Associate
Stephanie Clifton
Senior Associate
Alexandra Haworth
Senior Associate
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Understanding surrogacy law
Watch our expert-led webinar to explore the legal framework surrounding surrogacy in the UK. We’ll cover key considerations for intended parents and surrogates, including agreements, parental rights and recent legal developments. Gain practical insights to navigate this complex area with confidence.