Surrogacy Laws

Many countries, including Turkey, automatically accept the birth mother as the legal mother of a child. Consequently, families who go abroad to have a child through a surrogate mother face a complicated legal situation when they return home. The accepted route is for the birth mom to be recorded on the birth certificate, and then the baby is adopted by the intended parents. Surrogacy is legal in some countries, in which case the biological parents are recorded on the birth certificate.

North Cyprus

Commercial surrogacy was legalised in 2002. Surrogacy has become a 450 million dollars per year industry. Highly qualified doctors and low costs have made this country an ideal source of surrogate mothers. In a country like North Cyprus, where competent medical care is accessible, surrogates can receive top quality medical care, a balanced diet and shelter during their pregnancy.

Turkey

Surrogacy is illegal in Turkey as well as sperm and egg donation. Families who have children through surrogacy can record the father on the birth certificate if the surrogate mother is unmarried. Babies born out of wedlock can be registered under the biological father’s name. Another option is for the biological parents to adopt the baby. As there have been no lawsuits regarding this subject, there is no legal precedent. Presumably, if the surrogate mother refuses to give the baby up, the contract between the surrogate and intended parents will not be valid in Turkey.