More and more couples today struggle with natural conception problems, and despite the development of reproductive technologies, even IVF is not always a possible solution. In cases of serious medical contraindications to pregnancy, the only way to have a genetically related child becomes gestational surrogacy – when the parents’ embryo is carried by a woman who has no genetic connection to the child.
However, this very type of surrogacy is prohibited or strictly limited in many countries. That is why couples who cannot find a solution in their home country turn to international programmes – where the process is legally regulated and offers a real chance to become parents.
And this is where the biggest challenge appears: how do you choose a country, an agency, and a clinic you can trust with such a sensitive and serious process? The international surrogacy market contains many grey zones, and scammers actively exploit the lack of knowledge of intended parents, their emotional vulnerability, and the absence of unified standards.
Why is it difficult to find a surrogate abroad?
Searching for a surrogate abroad is not only about choosing the right person and clinic, but also about combining medical, legal, immigration, and financial challenges – each of which largely depends on the country where the programme is carried out. The main reasons for the difficulties:
- Diversity and instability of legal regulations. Surrogacy rules differ significantly from country to country: in some, commercial surrogacy is allowed; in others, only altruistic surrogacy is permitted; and in some, it is completely banned. In certain states or regions, the law can change very quickly. This means that a programme that worked smoothly a year ago may now be legally risky or even impossible to implement.
- Different practices for recognising parenthood and document formalities. Even in “surrogacy-friendly” countries, the procedure for obtaining a birth certificate, listing the genetic/legal parents, and securing the child’s citizenship differs. In some cases, a court ruling in the country of birth is required; in others, a notarised contract and prior court approval are sufficient. Mistakes at this stage are the main reason why families cannot take the baby home.
- Quality and transparency of medical care. The level of reproductive medicine, pregnancy management standards, and requirements for surrogates vary widely. In some countries, clinics hold international accreditations and follow transparent IVF protocols; in others, medical records may be incomplete or falsified.
- Reputation issues and dishonest intermediaries. The international surrogacy market attracts many fraudsters who create fake clinics and surrogate profiles. Verifying registration, a real surrogate database, and past cases (including clinic partnerships) can be difficult, especially when an agency uses virtual offices or “local” intermediaries. This makes due diligence harder due to language barriers and differences in legal systems.
- Financial and logistical risks. International programmes often involve large advances, deposits, and staged payments. Currency transfers, holding funds in escrow accounts, and lack of transparency in the contract can all lead to financial losses in the event of fraud. Additionally, occasional political or immigration restrictions (e.g., changes to entry rules) can disrupt plans and increase costs.
How can you fall victim to scammers? (real schemes and warning signs)
Fraud in international surrogacy can take many forms – from financial manipulation to outright falsification of medical documentation. Below we present proven schemes and warning signals worth paying attention to.
Common fraud schemes:
- “Ghost clinic” (takes the money and disappears). A clinic collects an advance/deposit for surrogate matching, pretends to be actively working, and after receiving funds stops responding or provides falsified documents. Such operations often exist only online and use fake contacts. Signs: no physical address, demand to transfer the full amount upfront.
- Fake or “resold” surrogates. Scammers may present the same woman to several clients, provide forged medical records, or use “paper” candidates who never passed proper screening. As a result, it turns out the surrogate does not meet the declared criteria.
- Embryo switching. There have been cases where clinics or doctors swapped samples, used donor material without consent, or did not perform procedures at all while promising a “pregnancy guarantee.” Scandals involving the substitution of biological material and professional misconduct are rare, but real.
- Legal traps in the contract. Agreements may contain ambiguous clauses regarding parenthood, clinic obligations, compensation in case of complications, or the procedure for challenging parental rights. Some clinics provide different versions of the contract in the local language and in “English” – and in case of discrepancies, the local version prevails.
- Exploitation of women and child-related fraud. In extreme cases, networks have been exposed that recruited women who did not meet international standards, without proper medical screening or full support during pregnancy. There have also been attempts to substitute a different baby and present it as the couple’s biological child, together with falsified documents. International human rights reports document such cases and warn about risks in non-transparent jurisdictions.
Searching for a surrogate or a clinic abroad always involves serious risk: from financial fraud and wasted time to far more severe consequences, such as being unable to obtain the child’s documents or take the baby out of the country of birth due to contract errors and failure to comply with local law.
To avoid such situations and be confident in the legality, safety, and transparency of every stage, intended parents increasingly turn to specialised agencies. These companies handle clinic verification, surrogate selection, legal support, and oversight of all procedures, significantly reducing risk and ensuring predictability of the outcome. That is why the safest path is to seek professional support. Or try researching reviews and ratings of surrogacy agencies yourself.
Top 3 agencies that can help you find a surrogate abroad
UAmedTOURS – number one in surrogacy
UAmedTOURS is one of the leading international agencies specialising in surrogacy and holds top positions in industry rankings, focusing on selecting clinics worldwide. The company operates in Ukraine, Georgia, Albania, Mexico, and Kyrgyzstan, and stands out because already at the first consultation it presents clients with specific programmes including country options, clinics, and prices, allowing them to assess all available choices immediately. For over eight years, UAmedTOURS has successfully operated in the medical tourism market, cooperating only with verified clinics that follow international medical protocols and operate in accordance with the law of the programme country. The agency supports clients at every stage of surrogacy – from selecting the surrogate and clinic to legal assistance and coordination of all programme stages – ensuring full safety, transparency, and confidence that the parents’ rights are strongly protected.
International Fertility Group (IFG) – an international reproductive services network
International Fertility Group (IFG) is an international company specialising in surrogacy programmes and supporting foreign couples. The agency operates in Ukraine, Georgia, Mexico, and the Philippines, offering support at every stage of the programme – from selecting a surrogate and clinic to legal services and pregnancy management. IFG is a well-known international platform that provides structured guidance throughout the surrogacy programme, supports parents at all key stages, and guarantees cooperation only with verified clinics and responsible surrogates.
Circle Surrogacy – an agency with extensive experience working with international couples
Circle Surrogacy is an agency with a long history that has enjoyed a strong reputation in the surrogacy market for years. The company operates in several countries and specialises in tailoring programmes individually to the needs of each couple, providing coordination with clinics and legal support at every stage. Couples receive ready-made programme proposals, can review feedback about the agency’s work, and can be confident they are working with a trusted organisation. Circle Surrogacy rightfully belongs among international agencies you can rely on.
It is important to understand that by using specialised surrogacy agencies, you are not paying only for services – you are investing in your own safety and your child’s future. Working with such companies in practice guarantees that you will not encounter scammers, you will be protected at every stage of the programme, and you will cooperate only with qualified professionals working according to international standards. After the birth, you will be able to handle all documents smoothly and take your baby home without legal obstacles or the risk of your parental rights being challenged. Cooperation with verified agencies provides peace of mind, process transparency, and confidence in a positive outcome of the surrogacy programme.
