Surrogacy Lawyers in Manchester, Sale, and Chester
Starting a family through surrogacy brings a mix of excitement and real questions about where you stand legally. The surrogate is your child’s legal parent at birth, and you’ll need a parental order to transfer that status. Our surrogacy lawyers in Manchester, Sale and Chester give you clear advice on what’s required and how to protect everyone involved.
We help you apply to the family court for a parental order so you become your child’s legal parents. This transfers legal parenthood from the surrogate to you and gives you full parental responsibility. The application needs to be made within six months of your child’s birth, and we’ll prepare all the paperwork, liaise with CAFCASS, and guide you through what the court needs to see.
UK surrogacy arrangements
Whether you’re planning to use a surrogate or you’re considering becoming one, we explain what’s legally allowed in the UK and what isn’t. We advise on reasonable expenses, help you understand your rights from the start, and make sure everyone involved knows where they stand before treatment begins.
International surrogacy
If you’re using a surrogate abroad or bringing your child home to Manchester, Sale or Chester, we work with immigration specialists to get the right documents in place. Even if you’re named on a foreign birth certificate, you’ll still need a UK parental order, and we handle the court application and all the supporting evidence required.
The process our surrogacy solicitors follow
Initial advice before treatment starts
We check you meet the criteria for a parental order and explain what’s legally allowed. Getting this right at the start avoids complications later.
Apply for your parental order (within six months of birth)
You complete Form C51 and we prepare supporting evidence, including expenses paid. The court appoints a CAFCASS reporter who visits your home.
Court assessment (typically 8-12 weeks)
The reporter interviews you, your surrogate, and checks the surrogate’s consent is freely given. UK cases usually have one hearing; international cases go to the High Court.
Final order and new birth certificate
Once granted, you’re your child’s legal parents. The court issues a new birth certificate showing you as parents. The whole process takes 6-12 months.
Why choose Slater Heelis as your surrogacy solicitors
Over 250 years serving the North West
We’ve been providing legal advice to families in the North West since 1773. With offices in Manchester, Sale and Chester, we’re rooted in the local community and understand the issues families face when building their families through surrogacy. Our family law team is one of the largest in Manchester, with over 21 qualified solicitors dedicated to family matters including surrogacy and parental orders.
Recognised expertise
Our family law team holds a Chambers Band 1 ranking—the highest tier—and has maintained a Legal 500 Tier 2 ranking for eight consecutive years. We’re also listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026, with our family law team highly commended for expertise and client care. This consistent recognition reflects the quality of advice and results we deliver year after year.
Specialist knowledge in surrogacy law
Surrogacy requires genuine expertise in an area many firms don’t handle. Our family law solicitors understand the parental order process, work with the family courts across Manchester, Sale and Chester, and guide intended parents and surrogates through both UK and international arrangements with clear, practical advice.
Straight-talking approach
We explain what you need to know in plain language, handle the legal paperwork properly, and make sure you understand your position at every stage. Clients consistently tell us they value our down-to-earth approach.
Building your family through surrogacy brings real questions about the legal process, and it’s important to get things right from the start. Our surrogacy solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester help intended parents and surrogates work through parental orders and the steps that make your family legally secure.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings. We’ll keep you informed at every stage, explain everything in plain English, and give you the straightforward legal advice you need when it matters most.
Frequently asked questions about surrogacy lawyers
Is surrogacy legal in the UK?
Yes, surrogacy is legal in the UK. However, commercial surrogacy is not permitted – you can only pay your surrogate reasonable expenses. Surrogacy agreements aren’t legally enforceable, and you’ll need to apply for a parental order after your child is born to become the legal parents.
How do I find a surrogate in the UK?
You can find a surrogate through not-for-profit organisations like Surrogacy UK, COTS, My Surrogacy Journey, or Brilliant Beginnings. Some people connect through online groups or find surrogates within their family or friend circle. You cannot advertise that you’re looking for a surrogate, as this is illegal in the UK.
Can I pay my surrogate in the UK?
You can pay your surrogate reasonable expenses, including maternity clothes, travel costs, childcare, and lost earnings. According to Surrogacy UK, surrogates typically receive £10,000-£15,000 in expenses. Any payments beyond reasonable expenses must be authorised by the family court when you apply for your parental order.
Do I need a solicitor for the surrogacy process?
While you’re not legally required to have a solicitor, it’s strongly recommended. The HFEA and family courts advise getting legal advice before starting surrogacy, and many fertility clinics require it. A surrogacy solicitor ensures you understand the parental order process and helps avoid complications later.
Who is the legal parent when the baby is born in surrogacy?
The surrogate is always the legal mother at birth, even if she’s not genetically related to the child. If she’s married or in a civil partnership, her spouse is automatically the second legal parent unless they didn’t consent to the treatment. You become the legal parents only after the court grants your parental order.
How much does a parental order cost?
The court fee for a parental order application is £263. Legal fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and whether you need full representation or just initial advice. Many straightforward UK surrogacy cases are handled by parents themselves, though legal support typically costs from a few hundred pounds upwards.
How long does a parental order take?
The parental order process typically takes 6-12 months from when you apply. You must apply between six weeks and six months after your child’s birth. UK cases usually involve one hearing with magistrates, while international surrogacy cases go to the High Court and may take longer.
What happens if the surrogate changes her mind?
Until the parental order is granted, the surrogate could legally decide to keep the baby or withhold consent to the parental order. In practice, this is extremely rare and very few cases result in disagreement. The court can consider child arrangements orders if there’s a dispute about who should care for the child.
Can single people apply for a parental order?
Yes, single people can apply for a parental order following recent legal reforms. You must be over 18, domiciled in the UK, and genetically related to the child. The same criteria apply as for couples, except you don’t need to be in a relationship.
Do I need a parental order if my child was born abroad?
Yes, even if you’re named on a foreign birth certificate as your child’s legal parents, you still need a UK parental order. Without it, you won’t be recognised as the legal parent in the UK, which affects your authority to make decisions about education, healthcare, and what happens if you separate from your partner.
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