If you are in Halifax or anywhere in Nova Scotia, surrogacy is possible. We support families across Canada, and many Nova Scotia families work with a surrogate in another province. Here is what to know about Nova Scotia specifically.
This is general information from public sources, last checked October 2026. It is not legal advice, and provincial law is changing in many places.
How the law works in Nova Scotia
Surrogacy is altruistic across Canada under the federal Assisted Human Reproduction Act. A surrogate cannot be paid a fee, but she can be reimbursed for documented expenses. Parentage, meaning who is legally the parent, is a provincial matter.
Nova Scotia has regulations covering parentage for families using assisted conception, including a statutory declaration route filed with the Registrar of Vital Statistics for some situations. For surrogacy, intended parents have generally needed a court declaration of parentage, and public summaries say that adoption may be required if neither intended parent has a genetic link to the child. A pre-conception agreement and independent legal advice for each side are standard. Rules in this area have been changing in several provinces, so please confirm the current process with a Nova Scotia family lawyer. The province publishes its birth registration regulations.
If your surrogate lives in a different province, both provinces' rules matter. Our guide to the legal framework for surrogacy in Canada compares provinces.
Costs
A complete journey in Canada typically runs $80,000 to $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, paid in three equal stages. See our cost guide and try the surrogacy cost calculator.
If your surrogate lives in another province, add travel for key appointments and the birth.
Fertility funding
Ask your clinic and the Nova Scotia government about current fertility funding or tax credits, since programs and eligibility change.
A surrogate's pregnancy and delivery care are generally covered by her provincial health plan.
LGBTQ+ families
Canadian law recognizes same-sex couples, single parents and families of many shapes. Gay couples will typically need an egg donor and a surrogate, and we can plan both together. See our guide for LGBTQ+ families.
Egg donation
Egg donation in Canada is altruistic, so donors are reimbursed for documented expenses and not paid. Our sister company Little Miracles matches intended parents with screened donors across the country. Read egg donation in Canada and egg donation costs.
Finding a surrogate
- Agencies like ours screen surrogates and manage matching, wherever you live. See how to find a surrogate in Canada.
- Independent journeys are possible. See independent vs agency surrogacy.
- Matching commonly takes 3 to 12 months, and cross-province matches are common.
If you want to become a surrogate in Nova Scotia
You must be at least 21, and clinics generally prefer a prior healthy pregnancy and birth. Start with our self-check.
Book a free consultation at calendly.com/cso-robyn
Sources
From hope to heartbeat to home.