Canada is, together with the United States, the destination with the clearest regulation of international surrogacy. Its particularity is the model: the federal law (Assisted Human Reproduction Act, 2004) prohibits paying the surrogate and allows only the reimbursement of pregnancy-related expenses. That changes the cost, changes the timeline and changes the profile of the women who decide to become surrogates.
01What it costs: between 60,000 and 100,000 USD
Figures published by Canadian law firms and agencies in 2026 place a complete journey at roughly 60,000 to 100,000 USD, with cases above that when several transfers are needed. The lines:
- Reimbursable expenses of the surrogate: travel, clothing, food, documented lost wages, childcare during appointments. There is no compensation for carrying: it is illegal.
- Consultancy agency (in Canada they are called consultants, because the law limits what they can charge and do).
- Clinic and IVF: embryo creation, genetic testing and transfers. Public healthcare covers the surrogate's prenatal care, which makes that part much cheaper.
- Attorneys for the contract and the declaration of parentage, which varies by province.
- Insurance for the newborn and the parents' stay after the birth.
- Egg donor, if needed, with compensation and travel in writing in our programme.
02How long it takes: the wait is the long part
- Finding a surrogate: 3 to 18 months. With no compensation, there are fewer surrogates than families, and the wait is the destination's main drawback. Having embryos ready speeds up the match.
- Screening and contract: 1-2 months, always before the transfer.
- Pregnancy: 9 months.
- After the birth: the baby is Canadian by birth. The declaration of parentage and the passport take 4 to 8 weeks, which is how long parents usually stay in the country.
In total, published estimates speak of 15 to 24 months from the start until you go home with the baby.
03The legal framework
The federal law sets what is prohibited (paying the surrogate, paying intermediaries to recruit her) and the provinces regulate parentage. Most provinces recognise intended parents by declaration or by court order after the birth, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation or nationality. Quebec was the exception for years and since 2023 also recognises surrogacy agreements under its own conditions. Foreign families are welcome; what needs preparing in advance is recognition in the home country.
04Who it makes sense for
Families who value an ethical and secure framework, with public healthcare behind it, and who can take on a longer wait in exchange for a lower cost than in the United States. And those who want the surrogate to do it out of conviction rather than for compensation: that is the point of the Canadian model.
05What we do
We advise you on whether Canada fits your calendar and budget, introduce trusted consultants, clinics and attorneys and provide the egg donor when you need one, with our guarantees in writing. The donor's cycle is scheduled so that embryos are ready when the surrogate appears, which in Canada is the piece that takes longest.
