When you have been through the emotional roller-coaster of surrogacy with sleepless nights, antenatal appointments supporting the surrogate and your baby has at last been born, you will need to consider:
How do you become your much wanted child’s legal parents?
Applying for a parental order as a surrogate parent
You need to apply for a Parental Order when you use a surrogate to have your child. Once you have a Parental Order it transfers legal rights from the birth mother to you and your partner.
You then become Parental Order Parents, fully recognised in law with all of the legal rights and responsibilities which flow from that.
Certain conditions have to be met when apply for a Parental Order. In order to become Parental Order Parents you must be genetically related to the child by being either the egg donor or the sperm donor. You must also be in an enduring relationship with your partner.
You must also have the child living with you in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man to become Parental Order Parents. The birth mother should also agree in writing.
How can Nelsons help?
It is always best to take legal advice before embarking on the surrogacy journey towards becoming Parental Order Parents.
If you need advice and assistance in applying for a Parental Order or in relation to surrogacy then please do make contact. We offer an efficient and understanding service equipped to meet all your legal needs.
If you need advice on applying to become a Parental Order parent, or on other surrogacy law issues, please contact Melanie Bridgen or another member of our expert Family Law team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.