If you live outside Canada and you are searching for a surrogate, you are probably tired, a little overwhelmed, and wondering whether there is anywhere that will give you a clear answer. I want to give you one.
Yes, intended parents from other countries can build a family through surrogacy in Canada. There is no residency requirement for intended parents or for surrogates. But there are extra steps, and they matter. I grew up in this field, and the families who do best are the ones who plan the legal and travel pieces early.
Why international families choose Canada
- It is legal and regulated. Surrogacy is permitted under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, in an altruistic model.
- It is open to many family types. Single parents, same-sex couples and couples are all able to pursue surrogacy.
- The surrogate is not paid a fee. She is reimbursed for documented pregnancy-related expenses, and the funds are held in escrow.
- Health care and legal frameworks are strong, and the baby is born into a system with clear processes.
What is different when you live abroad
1. Your lawyers
You will need a Canadian reproductive lawyer, and you should also speak to a lawyer in your home country about how your country treats a child born through surrogacy abroad. The two have to line up. Do this before you begin, not after the baby is born.
2. Citizenship and passports
A baby born in Canada is generally a Canadian citizen. What happens next depends on your country. Some countries recognise citizenship through a genetic parent, some through a legal parent, and some require additional documents or DNA testing. Some do not recognise surrogacy at all.
Please do not guess here. Get written advice from a lawyer or your home country's consulate on how your country will treat your child's citizenship before you match.
3. Time in Canada after the birth
Plan to stay in Canada for a period after the birth while parentage, birth registration, and travel documents are finalized. How long depends on your province and how quickly your documents are processed, so build in a generous buffer for work, accommodation and flights.
4. Travel and logistics
Your embryos may be created at a clinic here, or you may bring frozen embryos from another country. Your clinic will need to confirm that they can be shipped and used. Matching and communication happen by video, and many families travel to meet their surrogate at key moments.
5. Budget in Canadian dollars
Canadian programs are priced in CAD, and exchange rates move. Our overall cost guide shows that a complete journey in Canada typically runs between $80,000 and $120,000 CAD. CSO agency programs start from $1,500 (Independent Journey), $9,500 (Foundation), $19,500 (Guided Journey) and $29,500 (Priority Match), plus HST, and the agency fee is paid in three equal stages. The refund policy is published on our Intended Parents page.
If you live in the United States
Many American families come to us. Canada can be a wonderful fit, but it is not the only option, and I want you to choose the one that suits you.
| | Canada (CSO) | United States (Camica) | |---|---|---| | Surrogate model | Altruistic, expenses reimbursed | Compensated | | Surrogate compensation | None, reimbursements only | Typically $55,000 to $70,000 or more | | Agency fee | From $1,500 to $29,500 CAD + HST | $28,000 to $48,000 USD, Concierge from $65,000 | | Legal framework | Provincial parentage process | State by state | | Typical wait for a match | Often longer because the pool is smaller | Often shorter |
Camica is our US-facing program, operated by me and the same team, and it exists for families who want the compensated US model. Camica Concierge is available by application for families who want the most hands-on support.
The honest answer is that Canada tends to cost less overall but can take longer to match, while the US tends to match faster but costs more. A call can help you decide which one is right for you.
Questions to ask before you commit
- How will my country treat my child's citizenship?
- Can my embryos be exported or imported?
- Which province will the baby be born in, and what is the parentage process there?
- How long should I plan to be in Canada after the birth?
- What does my budget look like in my own currency?
You do not have to figure this out alone
I will always lead with your situation, not a sales script. Let's look at where you live, what embryos you have and what your country requires, and map out a realistic path for your family.
Want a number for your own family? Try our surrogacy cost calculator for an honest estimate in a couple of minutes.
Book a free consultation at calendly.com/cso-robyn
From hope to heartbeat to home.