Surrogacy in Colombia: the UK Parental Order guide

For UK intended parents · Reviewed June 2026

If you're a UK intended parent having a baby through surrogacy in Colombia, your legal parenthood in the UK is only settled by a Parental Order — which must be applied for within six months of the birth. This guide walks through the Colombia process end to end: who's eligible, the in-country journey step by step, the documents and consent you'll need, and how you bring your baby home.

Immigration & nationality: this guide explains the general process only — it is not immigration advice (a regulated area in the UK). Your child's nationality, passport and entry to the UK depend on your circumstances — see GOV.UK and take advice from a registered immigration adviser (IAA-regulated) or a solicitor.

At a glance

Risk levelEstablished, predictable route

EligibilityOpen to opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples, single applicants

Typical in-country stay8–12 weeks

Surrogate consentSigned in-country (around week 6)

TranslationSpanish — certified English translations required for the UK court

The in-country journey, step by step

Day 0Birth & Born Alive CertificateHospital issues the Certificado de Nacido Vivo. Collect it before leaving — everything else depends on it.
Days 0–3Birth registrationRegistro Civil de Nacimiento obtained via notary. Your in-country lawyer coordinates this. Request at least 4–6 certified copies.
Days 1–7DNA testing initiatedStart as early as possible — results take 2–3 weeks and gate the VFS / British Consulate travel document application.
Weeks 2–3DNA results receivedAccredited lab results submitted to VFS / British Consulate as part of the travel document application.
Week 3+VFS / British Consulate applicationApply for the child's UK Emergency Travel Document or passport. Processing time varies — allow at least 2–4 weeks.
Week 6Consent forms window opens (C52 & A101A)Earliest date the surrogate can sign. Notarisation and certified translation process begins at this point.
Weeks 7–10Notarisation & translation completeC52 & A101A notarised in Colombia and translated into English. Allow 2–3 weeks from the 6-week point.
VariableReturn to UKOnce travel document received and notarised forms are complete. Typical total stay: 8–12 weeks.
Within 6 months of birthUK Parental Order filedHard legal deadline. File early — aim for 4–5 months to allow the court adequate processing time.

This guide covers the practical Colombia-specific process. It is based on common practice and should be read alongside advice from your agency, in-country legal team, and UK solicitor. It is not legal advice.

The full Colombia guide goes deeper

Inside PO Navigator, the detailed Colombia guide covers each of these in depth — with the exact UK forms, document checklists and a directory of vetted in-country providers:

Your in-country legal team

In Colombia, your surrogacy agency will provide you with an in-country lawyer (or refer you to one). This lawyer is responsible for all contractual matters in Colombia — including the surrogacy agreement, any required notarised documents, and coordinating with local authorities on your behalf.

Born Alive Certificate (Certificado de Nacido Vivo)

When your baby is born in Colombia, the hospital will issue a Certificado de Nacido Vivo — a Born Alive Certificate. This is a hospital-issued document confirming the live birth and is distinct from the birth certificate.

Obtaining the birth certificate

Once you have the Born Alive Certificate, you can obtain the official Colombian birth certificate (Registro Civil de Nacimiento). There are two ways to do this:

DNA testing

VFS Global or the British Consulate will require DNA evidence to establish the genetic link between your child and at least one British Intended Parent. This is a standard requirement for the child's UK travel document application. Results typically take 2–3 weeks from the date of sampling.

Notarisation of UK forms (C52 & A101A)

Forms C52 and A101A — the surrogate's consent documents required for your UK Parental Order application — must be translated into Spanish and notarised in Colombia before the surrogate signs them. This process cannot begin until at least 6 weeks after the birth.

Travel & accommodation planning

Plan for a stay of 8–12 weeks in Colombia, though the actual duration can vary significantly. DNA testing results (2–3 weeks), VFS / British Consulate travel document processing (variable), and the 6-week consent window all affect how long you'll need to stay. Build in buffer — it is common for at least one element of the timeline to take longer than expected.

🔒 The complete step-by-step Colombia guide, the document detail and the vetted provider directory are inside PO Navigator. Start free to read the full overview and unlock the detail.

Frequently asked questions

Who can pursue surrogacy in Colombia?

Colombia is generally open to opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples and single applicants. Eligibility rules can change, so confirm your position before you commit.

How long will I need to stay in Colombia?

Plan for around 8–12 weeks. The main variables are the local documents, any required DNA testing, and the wait for your child's UK travel document.

Do I still need a UK Parental Order after surrogacy in Colombia?

Yes. Wherever your child is born, your legal parenthood in the UK is only settled by a Parental Order, and you must apply within six months of the birth — a hard deadline that cannot be extended.

What does the UK court need from Colombia?

Typically the foreign birth certificate (apostilled, with a certified English translation where it is not already in English), the surrogate's consent on forms C52 and A101A signed after the six-week point, DNA evidence where required, and your own statement.

Do I need a solicitor for the Parental Order?

Not necessarily — a Parental Order can be made without a solicitor, and many families self-represent with the right structure. PO Navigator provides that structure; for advice on your specific legal position a solicitor remains the right call. This is guidance, not legal advice.

Pursuing surrogacy in Colombia? Start free — we'll set up your Colombia guide and track your 6-month UK filing deadline.

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Other country guides

Surrogacy in Georgia Surrogacy in the USA Surrogacy in Mexico Surrogacy in Armenia Surrogacy in North Cyprus

Parental Order guides

C52 and A101A — getting your surrogate's consent right after international surrogacy Form C51 explained — the Parental Order application, section by section How to apply for a Parental Order in the UK — step by step The 6-month Parental Order deadline — what it means and how not to miss it