Overview of the Surrogacy Process in Argentina

The surrogacy industry in Argentina has grown significantly in recent years, attracting many foreign intended parents who are looking for a relatively affordable and legal way to have a child through surrogacy. There are several advantages and considerations for foreigners who choose to do surrogacy in Argentina, and it is important for intended parents to understand these factors before deciding.

Is surrogacy legal in Argentina?

Thanks to a 2017 law, children born via Altruistic surrogacy in the country can be registered under the name of the intended parents. As such, both Argentine citizens and foreigners are able to legally enter surrogacy contracts in the country. Surrogacy is the most robust, in Buenos Aires—where intended parents appear on the birth certificate, and not the surrogate. Typically, it will take roughly 10 to 15 days following the birth of your child to secure a birth certificate with your name on it and in total 25-30 days to get an Argentinean passport and citizenship for your baby.  Consent forms must be in writing and agreed to by the surrogate and the intended parents and notarized by the local authority.

How much does surrogacy cost in Argentina?

The total price tag can vary significantly. Factors impacting cost include the specific fertility clinic and surrogacy agency the intended parents work with, the medical expenses associated with the surrogacy process, and the legal fees involved. This price can include the medical expenses associated with the surrogacy process, such as fertility treatments and prenatal care, as well as legal fees and other miscellaneous expenses. As for surrogate reimbursement here we have an Altruistic model and a legal team is needed to make sure surrogate rights are well protected and the process well managed.

While a surrogacy journey in Argentina is still a significant cost, keep in mind the price tag is much less than in the United States, where the surrogacy industry has long been established. In the United States, the average surrogacy journey costs around $125,000, but this figure can quickly balloon to $200,000 or more depending on your unique set of circumstances.

What is the timeline for completing surrogacy in Argentina?

On average, an Altruistic model of the surrogacy journey in Argentina will take roughly 24 months from start to finish. How long, exactly, will depend on your unique set of circumstances, as well as any unforeseen challenges that might arise throughout your surrogacy journey. You will first need to spend time selecting your surrogacy professionals, such as your surrogacy agency and fertility clinic. Once your professionals are selected, you will need to undergo screenings to ensure you are in good physical health and can create the best embryos possible.

If you are the sperm provider, you will need to find a local clinic to help you deposit, freeze, and ship your specimen to your clinic in Buenos Aires. If you are the egg provider, you can travel to Buenos Aires for several weeks, where you will undergo fertility treatments to help you produce eggs for harvesting. Once your fertility clinic in Argentina has healthy egg and sperm samples, your professionals will help you create as many healthy embryos as possible. Alternatively, you can create embryos in your home country and have them frozen and shipped to Buenos Aires—but this will add more cost.

Once your embryos are created, you will begin the matching process with your surrogate. This process can take up to several weeks or months. It is important to ensure you and your surrogate are well matched on any number of important issues, such as frequency of communication, feelings towards termination, and personality types. Doing so can help prevent potential friction or complications during the surrogacy journey itself. After you have been matched with a surrogate, you will start the IVF process. It usually takes anywhere from one to three months to achieve a pregnancy. Afterward, your surrogate’s pregnancy will proceed like any other! After the birth of your child, you can also plan on spending at least several weeks in Argentina working with your lawyer to secure the documents, like your baby’s birth certificate and passport, that you’ll need to take your baby home.