Surrogacy in Mexico: the UK Parental Order guide

If you're a UK intended parent having a baby through surrogacy in Mexico, 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 Mexico 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.

At a glance

The in-country journey, step by step

1. Before the birthAmparo filed (where your route uses one)In Mexico City the lawyer may file the amparo before the birth. The case goes to a court chosen at random, and some judges decline surrogacy cases or point you to the family court instead, so a second filing can be needed. Once a court accepts it, a provisional order usually follows within about two weeks.
2. Day 0Birth & hospital documentsCollect the hospital birth documents. Under local law the surrogate is the mother unless a pre-birth order is in place.
3. Days 5–15 · about 2 months on the amparo routeBirth certificate (acta de nacimiento)Issued by the state Registro Civil, in Spanish. Where an amparo is used, registration waits for the court order (one Mexico City family registered at about two months). Request several certified copies immediately.
4. Weeks 4–9Amparo: final ruling and registrationJudge-dependent and the main bottleneck. One Mexico City family's sequence: about 1 month for the final ruling, about 2.5 weeks for it to take effect (the court sends the order to the Registro Civil), then about 1 week for the registry to reply and book the appointment. On the day, expect around an hour's queue and about 15 minutes to register.
5. 1–5 working daysApostille of the actaFrom the relevant state Secretaría de Gobierno (in CDMX, the Dirección General Jurídica y de Estudios Legislativos).
6. From week 2DNA test (if required)The British Embassy may require DNA evidence of the genetic link before issuing the travel document. Use a UKAS / MoJ-aligned lab.
7. Weeks 4–12Child's UK travel documentThe child usually travels home on a UK travel document rather than the Mexican passport; the route to it depends on your nationality and circumstances — confirm it on GOV.UK or with a registered immigration adviser. If a provisional amparo order includes a travel ban, it takes effect when you register the baby, and the baby can be stopped at the airport until a separate agency lifts it — ask your lawyer before you apply for travel documents.
8. Week 6+Surrogate signs C52 & A101ABefore a Notario Público, after Spanish translation. The earliest valid date is day 42.
9. Within 6 months of birthFile C51 + bundleAt the RCJ (births abroad). Treat the 6-month deadline as absolute.

The full Mexico guide goes deeper

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

Frequently asked questions