| Total Steps | 6 major stages |
| Timeline | 18–24 months |
| Registration | District ART & Surrogacy Board |
| Medical Core | IVF + embryo transfer |
| End | Magistrate order + birth certificate |
The 6-Step Surrogacy Process
Here is the surrogacy process in India step by step:
- Eligibility assessment — medical and legal review of the intending party and the proposed surrogate.
- ART & Surrogacy Board registration — all parties register; eligibility and surrogacy certificates are obtained and agreements signed.
- Surrogate screening & insurance — physical, psychological and infectious-disease screening; the mandatory 36-month insurance is arranged.
- IVF & embryo creation — egg retrieval, fertilisation (ICSI), blastocyst culture and optional PGT-A testing.
- Embryo transfer & pregnancy — the embryo is transferred to the surrogate and antenatal care continues for 9 months.
- Birth & legal handover — a magistrate order establishes parentage and the birth certificate is issued in the intending parents' names.
How Long Does Surrogacy Take?
From the first eligibility assessment to taking your baby home, the process usually takes 18–24 months. Registration and screening take 2–4 months, the IVF and embryo-creation phase a few weeks to months, pregnancy 9 months, and the post-birth legal steps a few additional weeks.
The Medical Journey (IVF & Transfer)
The medical core of surrogacy is an IVF cycle: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation with the intended father's (or donor) sperm, blastocyst culture, and a single embryo transfer to the screened surrogate. Learn more on our IVF treatment and PGT-A genetic testing pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the surrogacy process take in India?
From eligibility assessment to bringing your baby home, surrogacy typically takes 18–24 months, including registration, screening, IVF, pregnancy and post-birth legal steps.
What are the steps in the surrogacy process?
The six steps are: eligibility assessment, ART & Surrogacy Board registration, surrogate screening and insurance, IVF and embryo creation, embryo transfer and pregnancy, and birth with legal parentage transfer.
What happens after the surrogate gives birth?
A magistrate order establishes the intending parents as the legal parents, and the birth certificate is issued in their names. The surrogate has no parental rights over the child.
Where does surrogacy registration happen?
Registration is done with the District/State ART & Surrogacy Board, along with the certificates required under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.