Registration of Births of Children Born Through Surrogacy Arrangements
in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Español
- English
Highlights
While all countries have legal provisions related to birth registration, most do not have a clear legal framework on the practice of surrogacy including implications for the registration of the child’s full genetic, gestational, biological and legal identity. As such, civil registration authorities are often faced with complex issues and a fait accompli, regardless of whether the practice is allowed, prohibited or if the legislation is silent. The present technical document gathers available information from 30 countries in the region in terms of their approach to the civil registration of children born through surrogacy arrangements. The document identifies potential promising practices to record, preserve and access these children’s full identity. Civil registration authorities – in collaboration with the health sector and potential intermediaries – are key actors in protecting information about a child’s identity. Birth registration is also key to preventing statelessness as it provides legal proof of identity and family ties, enabling children to claim their nationality.
