Georgia has emerged in recent years as a leading destination for Israeli heterosexual couples seeking a professional, accessible, and efficient surrogacy process. Georgian law allows full legal handling of the procedure for foreign nationals, and the cost is significantly lower than the equivalent process in the United States. That said, surrogacy is a complex legal procedure that requires the guidance of an attorney well-versed both in Georgian law and in the Israeli requirements for registering the child with the Ministry of Interior. This guide covers all the stages, cost components, risks, and benefits, alongside an explanation of the legal services our firm provides through its branch in Tbilisi.
Conclusion: for Israeli heterosexual couples, Georgia currently offers the best balance between cost, procedure speed, legal stability, and ease of registration in Israel. Ukraine was a preferred option before 2022, but since the war the process is no longer feasible. The U.S. remains an option only for couples with a very high budget or unique needs.
How Is the Surrogacy Process Carried Out in Georgia?
The surrogacy process in Georgia is open to non-citizens as well, and a Georgian passport is not required to begin the procedure. This is one of the central reasons why many Israeli couples choose Georgia over other destinations.To carry out the process correctly, it is recommended to engage skilled professionals: lawyers specializing in Georgian surrogacy, licensed surrogacy agencies, and IVF clinics with experience working with foreign families. Professional guidance ensures that Georgian bureaucracy is handled properly, that the relationship with the surrogate mother is conducted according to the contract, and that medical follow-ups and treatments are carried out fully and on schedule.Who Is Eligible to Undergo Surrogacy in Georgia?
Georgian law permits surrogacy only for heterosexual couples. Apart from this restriction, the conditions are not strict, and most Israeli couples interested in the process meet the criteria of Georgian law.According to the Georgian Surrogacy Law, the procedure is open to:- Married couples (civilly or religiously married, including marriages performed outside Israel)
- Unmarried couples who maintain a shared life under a documented cohabitation agreement
Egg Donation in Georgia as Part of the Process
Many couples who come to Georgia for surrogacy also use egg donation, whether due to the intended mother’s age, a medical issue, or other circumstances. Georgian law permits egg donation as part of the surrogacy process, which is a significant advantage over other countries that have restrictions.Critical legal point: even when the egg comes from a donor, the surrogate mother is not considered the legal mother of the child. The Georgian birth certificate registers only the intended parents, and neither of the women who took medical part in the procedure has any parental rights. This significantly eases the registration process in Israel and prevents future legal complications.Our legal services include the orderly selection of a licensed donor bank in Tbilisi, review of the donor’s waiver agreements, and coordination between all parties to ensure that the documents will also satisfy the requirements of the Israeli Ministry of Interior.Surrogacy Costs in Georgia and Funding Options
Surrogacy in Georgia involves significant expenses, but the cost is substantially lower than the equivalent process in the United States. The final cost varies according to medical circumstances, the agency accompanying the procedure, and the number of attempts required to achieve a successful pregnancy. An accurate cost estimate based on your personal case will be provided in the initial consultation at the firm.Key cost components:- Payment to the surrogate mother (compensation + living expenses for the pregnancy period)
- IVF treatments, medical follow-ups, and delivery procedures
- Georgian attorney fees (contracts, legal registration)
- Israeli attorney fees (coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Interior)
- Flight tickets and stay expenses in Georgia
- Insurance policy in case the procedure fails
- Additional payment if a surrogate mother needs to be replaced after three failed attempts
- Self-funding from savings or sale of assets
- Dedicated surrogacy loan from Israeli banks offering specialized tracks
- Compensation from a medical malpractice claim: if the need for surrogacy stems from a previous medical injury, the compensation received (or expected to be received) can be used to fund the procedure. Our firm handles medical malpractice cases in parallel with surrogacy guidance, and the two matters are sometimes resolved together efficiently
- Extended family contribution (orderly family loan agreements)
The Georgian Surrogacy Agreement: What Must Be Included
The legal agreement between the intended parents and the surrogate mother is the heart of the procedure. A loose or incomplete agreement can lead to critical complications, including the risk of denied parental recognition in Israel.Essential clauses that must appear in the agreement:- Full waiver by the surrogate mother of any parental rights to the newborn
- Explicit commitment by the surrogate mother to hand over the child immediately upon birth
- Arrangement of the child’s registration in the names of the intended parents on the Georgian birth certificate
- Medical commitments: maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, prohibition on smoking/alcohol/drugs, cooperation with follow-up appointments
- A graduated payment mechanism based on pregnancy stages
- A compensation mechanism for the case of miscarriage, failed pregnancy, or birth of twins
- Insurance provisions in case of medical complications to the surrogate mother
- Declaration documents from the surrogate mother’s spouse or partner, where relevant
Registering the Child in Israel After Birth
One of the most important questions in an overseas surrogacy procedure is how to ensure that the child will be registered as the child of the intended parents at the Israeli Ministry of Interior and will receive full Israeli citizenship.Registration stages:- Issuing a Georgian birth certificate with the names of the intended parents only (the surrogate mother does not appear)
- Apostille on the birth certificate at the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Notarized translation of the certificate into Hebrew
- Issuing an Israeli passport / travel document for the baby at the Israeli Consulate in Tbilisi
- Application for citizenship from birth for the child at the Israeli Ministry of Interior under the Citizenship Law
- Registration of paternity / maternity in the Population Registry
- A judicial parentage order at the Family Court (a critical stage that is sometimes overlooked): when there is no genetic link between the intended mother and the child, or to strengthen the legal status of parenthood in Israel, an application must be filed for a judicial parentage order at the Family Court. The order definitively and unequivocally regulates parenthood in Israel and ensures that the rights of the child and parents are fully protected. Without the order, problems can later arise, for example in inheritance matters, social security, or registration with educational institutions.
Comparison: Georgia vs. Ukraine, the U.S., and Israel
Many couples ask: “Why Georgia specifically?” The answer depends on the circumstances, but here is the central comparison:| Parameter | Georgia | Ukraine | U.S. | Israel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative cost level | Moderate | Was moderate-low | Very high | Moderate |
| Process duration | Relatively short | Currently not feasible | Lengthy | Very lengthy (including committee) |
| Eligibility | Heterosexuals only | Currently not feasible | All, including same-sex couples | Strict limitations |
| Statutory committee | Not required | Not required | Not required | Mandatory |
| Child registration | Direct birth certificate in parents’ names | Was straightforward | Complex, varies by state | Parentage judgment |
| Political stability | Stable | Ongoing emergency | Stable | Stable |
Stages of the Surrogacy Process in Georgia
From the start of the engagement to returning home with a baby, the process involves several key stages. The total duration varies from case to case depending on the success of the pregnancy and the complexity of the file:- Legal planning stage: legal consultation, selection of a licensed agency, signing the contract and matching with a surrogate mother
- Medical treatment stage: IVF treatments, embryo transfer, conception tests
- Pregnancy stage: periodic medical follow-ups, parents’ visits to Georgia (at least once or twice)
- Birth stage: delivery, issuance of the Georgian birth certificate, apostille, notarized translation
- Israeli registration stage: Israeli citizenship procedure, registration with the Ministry of Interior, return to Israel
- Final regularization stage: completion of registration in Israel, issuance of an ID card for the baby, application for a judicial parentage order if needed
Legal Risks and How to Avoid Them
The procedure is relatively safe, but there are risks that should be recognized and prepared for in advance:- A contract not adapted to Israeli law: standard contracts of Georgian agencies do not always take into account the requirements of the Israeli Ministry of Interior. Solution: an Israeli attorney reviews every contract before signing.
- Changes in Georgian law: during 2024–2025, the Georgian parliament held lively debates on restricting surrogacy to Georgian citizens only. As of April 2026, the procedure is still open to Israelis and other foreigners, but the dynamic legislative environment requires close monitoring. Our firm is updated in real time on regulatory changes in Tbilisi to ensure the continuity of our clients’ procedures, and will notify immediately of any change that could affect a file already opened.
- Medical failure of the pregnancy: insurance coverage and compensation clauses must be secured in the contract.
- Returning to Israel without citizenship for the child: in cases where parents returned to Israel before completing the child’s registration, they encountered delays of months. Solution: do not leave Georgia before all documents are in hand.
- Paternity claims by the surrogate mother: extremely rare in Georgia, but possible. A strong agreement with properly drafted waiver clauses reduces the risk to nearly zero.
Tracking the Procedure from Israel
Couples beginning the surrogacy process can be in monitoring from the moment the embryo is implanted in the surrogate mother’s womb, all the way to the end of the procedure. In between, they receive ongoing updates from the surrogate mother and the medical team managing the follow-ups.The professional services our firm provides include:- Weekly updates from the medical team in Tbilisi
- Simultaneous translation in calls with the surrogate mother where required
- Coordination of parents’ visits to Georgia (including logistical assistance)
- Ongoing legal advice on any issue that arises along the way
- Management of contracts and documents in one organized place
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Israeli citizen undergo surrogacy in Georgia?
Yes. Georgian law permits the procedure for any heterosexual couple, regardless of citizenship. No Georgian passport or special visa is required.How much does surrogacy in Georgia cost?
The procedure involves significant expenses including payment to the surrogate mother, IVF treatments, legal services, insurance, and flights. That said, the cost is significantly lower than the equivalent procedure in the United States. The final cost depends on the agency, medical condition, and number of attempts required. In an initial consultation at the firm we can provide an organized estimate based on your specific case.How long does the entire procedure take?
Duration varies from case to case and depends on the success of treatments, the course of the pregnancy, and the time required to complete the bureaucratic registration in Israel. A regular surrogacy procedure includes the legal planning, medical treatment, pregnancy, birth, and Israeli registration stages. An initial consultation will provide you with a realistic picture of the expected timetable.What rights does the surrogate mother have over the child?
Georgian law provides that the surrogate mother is not registered on the birth certificate and has no parental rights to the child. The intended parents are registered as the legal parents from the moment of birth.Will the child receive Israeli citizenship?
Yes. As the child of Israeli citizens, the baby is entitled to citizenship from birth under the Citizenship Law. Registration with the Ministry of Interior is performed after returning to Israel, and our firm guides the process from end to end.Can same-sex couples undergo the procedure in Georgia?
No. Georgian law allows surrogacy only for heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples need to look for alternative destinations such as the U.S. or Canada.Is egg donation permitted as part of the surrogacy procedure in Georgia?
Yes. Georgian law permits egg donation, and even in this case the surrogate mother and the donor are not considered the legal mothers of the child. The intended parents are registered as the sole parents on the birth certificate.Is the Georgian surrogacy law subject to change?
During 2024–2025, the Georgian parliament held debates on restricting the procedure to Georgian citizens only. As of April 2026, the procedure is still open to Israelis, but our firm monitors developments on an ongoing basis and updates clients on any relevant change.Why choose an Israeli attorney rather than just a Georgian agency?
A Georgian agency is expert in the local-medical procedure, but cannot handle the registration of the child in Israel, will not identify problematic clauses from the perspective of Israeli law, and will not be available if a problem arises after returning home. An Israeli attorney familiar with both sides provides a complete envelope of services.Why Choose Vaknin Yariv Law Office for Your Surrogacy Process?
Our firm is one of the very few Israeli law offices with a permanent branch in Tbilisi, Georgia, which allows us to provide close legal support throughout the entire process, not only remotely. The Tbilisi branch also serves the additional fields in which we are active in Georgia, such as tax planning in Georgia and real estate taxation in Georgia, giving us deep familiarity with the local legal and bureaucratic system.Our experience includes:- Guiding numerous Israeli couples through surrogacy procedures in Georgia
- Personal acquaintance with the leading agencies, IVF clinics, and notaries in Tbilisi
- Drafting contracts tailored to both legal systems (Georgian and Israeli)
- Managing the registration process at the Israeli Ministry of Interior and the Family Court
- Handling edge cases: medical complications, replacement of surrogate mother, changes in the couple’s circumstances
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⚖️ Legal Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The content presented in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute binding legal advice. Surrogacy laws in Georgia and Israeli regulation regarding overseas surrogacy procedures are dynamic and subject to change; every surrogacy procedure should be conducted with personalized legal guidance tailored to the circumstances of the case.
Related guide: Not married? Read our complete guide to surrogacy abroad for common-law couples: destination comparison, the Israeli Welfare Ministry framework and the judicial parental order for unmarried couples.
