Law Commission reform: what it could mean for parental orders
A new legal framework has been proposed to modernise surrogacy law. Here's what it could change for intended parents — and what hasn't changed yet.
The UK's surrogacy laws date back to 1985, and reform has been a long time coming. A proposed new pathway would allow intended parents to become legal parents from birth in many cases, rather than waiting months for a parental order.
What is being proposed
The headline change is a new route to legal parenthood that removes some of the delay families face today. Importantly, the parental order process still applies to international arrangements and to anyone who does not use the new pathway.
Nothing has changed in law yet. Until reform passes, the parental order remains the route to secure your legal relationship with your child.
What it means for you now
If your child has already been born, the current six-month deadline still applies. Our complete guide walks through every step, and the 2-minute check tells you whether self-service is right for you.
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