Surrogacy in Nigeria
DO NOT ENTER INTO A SURROGACY ARRANGEMENT WHERE YOUR SURROGATE IS ANONYMOUS.
DO NOT ENTER INTO A DOUBLE DONATION SURROGACY ARRANGEMENT IN NIGERIA.
Surrogacy in Nigeria is increasing in popularity. I am currently acting for several couples going through the process. Some are at the start of their journey, some have a pregnancy and for some a child has been born. Please read about surrogacy abroad first.
You must carry out your due diligence thoroughly as unregulated areas can often be exploited by unethical providers. There is a lot of corruption and unethical behaviour in Nigeria hence the UK government decision to stop all adoptions from Nigeria. You need to make sure that you only look at registered IVF clinics and agencies with established reputations. Always, use a lawyer in Nigeria to help you navigate the process and ensure that at all times you are complying with local law. Use a lawyer independent of the clinic. You may be offered an anonymous or illiterate surrogate – do not accept this. It is vital that you communicate with your surrogate openly and independently so that you can ensure her well being and spot signs of exploitation. Meet her and speak to her prior to any agreement and certainly before an embryo transfer.
You may apply for a Parental Order following surrogacy in Nigeria providing the UK legal criteria is met, you have complied with local law and acted in good faith. It is important to do extensive research and secure references from other British couples who have successfully used the agency / clinic that you are considering using.
The better surrogacy agencies / clinics will be transparent about their surrogate recruitment policy and the compensation paid to the surrogate. The onus is on you to ask relevant questions at all times to make sure that exploitation does not take place. I advise that you have private discussions with your surrogate and hire an independent interpreter where necessary.
There are various surrogacy agencies / surrogacy clinics in many destinations for you to look at.
Having conducted surrogacy cases for many years, I am in a good position to advise you of the pitfalls to look out for. I also have experience with the citizenship and passport procedure to get you back to the UK with your child swiftly.
If you are in the middle of your surrogacy in Nigeria or, if you are considering other destinations, please do not hesitate to contact me for advice on your legal rights.
Regardless of the law in Nigeria or any other destination, the surrogate is always the legal mother. Whether one of you is the legal parent will depend on the circumstances surrounding the insemination or embryo transfer and whether the surrogate is married or in a civil partnership. It is essential that you get advice before you start the process and preferably before you select the surrogate. I will advise you on whether you can become legal parents to the child(ren) and if so, how to return to England with the child. I will then provide a bespoke service for you to obtain a Parental Order.
A Parental Order extinguishes any legal rights that the surrogate and her husband have for the child and makes you the legal parents. If you do not apply for a Parental Order by the time the child is 6 months old, you may need to consider alternatives such as adoption. This deadline has been extended in some cases. I will work with you to ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is in place for the Parental Order process within the deadline.
Please call surrogacy lawyers for advice on surrogacy in Nigeria on 01727 884 688 or e-mail directly on harjit@surrogacylawyers.co.uk
Visit the testimonial page.
I provide legal advice on surrogacy based on the law in England and Wales.
I have acted for clients working with many agencies across the world. I will not recommend any surrogacy provider, destination, agency or clinic. If my advice concludes that you can become legal parents following the arrangement you are considering, it should not be taken as advice to proceed. If I have acted for couples who have entered into similar arrangements, you should not take that as advice to proceed. You must always do your own due diligence on any agency / destination. A successful arrangement for someone else won’t always mean a successful arrangement for you. I will not take part in any negotiations for your surrogacy arrangement nor, will I review your surrogacy contract.