The foremost concern of the Intended Parents embarking on surrogacy is, “How do I take my child back to my country?”
This issue has gained major importance, and may be is one of the main reasons as to why Intended Parents choose India as the destination for surrogacy. The laws of various countries on surrogacy vary differently and therefore every national is placed on a very different footing.
European states such as the UK, Italy and few others have been dealing with surrogacy in a conservative manner, thus not making available the full benefits which could otherwise be derived out of assisted reproduction. The legal position of these countries is that the surrogate, who delivers the baby, shall be regarded the actual mother of the child, and her name be entered in the birth certificate of the baby. The Intended Parents (or the Genetic Parents) are required to take in adoption from the surrogate and her spouse. These laws do not give surrogacy the legal sanctity of ‘alternative form of reproduction’ but merely views them as an addition to adoption.
On the other hand, the American approach to surrogacy is completely liberal. Commercial surrogacy is an accepted form of Assisted Reproductive Techniques. The legal issues for American Couple coming down to India are far simpler compared to the European Nations. But again, a large number of American parents have come down to India, mainly because; the scientific improvements are kept at pedestal, which is not commercially reachable by the common man.
APPLICATION OF INDIAN LAWS
The application of the Indian Laws for the Intended Parents from abroad is their most worrying element. When the Intended Parents come down to India for surrogacy, the scenario is completely different and gains major importance.
The applicability of the Indian Laws is the same irrespective of the nationality of the intended parents. Laws of the respective of the countries play a role only at the stage when the intended parents attempt to take the child to their nations. But in most cases, for the purpose of determining of the nationality of child, Indian Laws are of prime importance.
The consulate of the country of Intended Parent has to be consulted before we arrive at a decision to take up the procedures in India. For this purpose, effective communication and representation at the Embassy gains prime importance.
SINGLE PARENTING AND SAME SEX PARENTING
With regard to gay/lesbian parenting and single parenting, the European laws are very restricting. Most of those intended parents, take up the procedure as single parents in India, and then to take the baby back to their home country. And in these cases also, the Consulate of the country in India concerned has to be consulted and informed.
DETERMINATION OF LEGAL POSITION-IMPORTANCE
In India, when a child is born using a surrogate, the Birth Certificate shall bear the name of the genetic parents, helping the Intended Parents take their child to their home country. And thus, before embarking on surrogacy, the Intended Parents must have complete knowledge about the laws applicable in this regard. Such knowledge gathered beforehand helps in proper decision making. This also helps cut down the delay that arises after the birth of the surrogate child. Hence, the intended parents should consider such factors before making the decision as to what country to take up surrogacy.