Operating under the Abu Dhabi Department of Health assisted reproduction framework, approved for structured surrogacy coordination in the UAE.
Approved by the Department 
Legal status: ✅Yes (Abu Dhabi only)
Who can apply: Married heterosexual couples with a qualifying medical indication
Type allowed: Gestational surrogacy only
Legal parentage at birth: Intended parents (based on approved contract and documentation)
Typical duration: Case dependent
Estimated cost range: Varies depending on medical and administrative complexity
For many years, the United Arab Emirates was viewed primarily as a destination for advanced medical care rather than family building through surrogacy. This changed in Abu Dhabi in 2023, when surrogacy programs were formally permitted under a regulated legal and medical framework overseen by the Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi model is designed around control, documentation, and committee approval, which is providing everyone with the kind of safety people search for. Surrogacy has been integrated into licensed healthcare structures instead of operating alongside them. This has created a system that allows people to feel at ease as long as program requirements are met and documentation is correct, it follows a defined and supervised path to a successful journey.
Embrymama supports surrogacy programs in the UAE at our Abu Dhabi Center through coordinating with hospitals, legal professionals, and medical providers operating within the DoH framework. We do this to ensure programs are structured in line with local regulation instead of adjusting them later to fit administrative requirements.
This guide has been created to explain surrogacy in the UAE, and how it works in the emirates. It is intended as an informational overview for those seeking to understand eligibility, structure, and process before choosing whether this destination is best for your circumstances.
Currently, surrogacy is permitted in the UAE and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi has implemented a legislation which must be followed within the emirate to access surrogacy. Under Law No. 17/2023 there are a number of requirements for all parties and organizations to be a part of a surrogacy journey. Until other emirates introduce their own legislation, programs are only permitted within Abu Dhabi and must be conducted through licensed hospitals and accredited agencies.
The current framework permits gestational surrogacy under defined medical indications which requires approval by a DoH ethics and medical committee. Participation in any program is reviewed on an individual basis, and all must meet both legal and medical criteria before proceeding.
A defining feature of the Abu Dhabi system is that legal parentage is addressed as part of the approved program structure rather than left to post birth interpretation. The surrogate waives parental rights under a notarized tripartite agreement, and the child is registered based on verified documentation. Unlike some U.S. States, Abu Dhabi doesn’t require court proceedings, giving intended parents a smoother and more secure journey.
While the framework is clear, outcomes depend on compliance as they would in any country with surrogacy laws. Programs that attempt to skip requirements or operate outside approved structures create unnecessary legal and administrative risk. The system functions as intended when it is followed as designed.
There are two types of surrogacy, gestational and traditional. Understanding both forms is one of the earliest things you learn if you are new to researching surrogacy. Each country around the world has regulation or rules on what is permitted before being considered, and Abu Dhabi isn’t any different to this.
Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate using her own egg, creating a genetic link to the child. This type of surrogacy is not supported within the Abu Dhabi framework. Clinics and agencies operating under DoH regulation do not facilitate arrangements that create a genetic relationship between the surrogate and the child.
Programs promoting traditional surrogacy fall outside accepted standards in Abu Dhabi and should be treated with caution.
Gestational surrogacy is when the surrogate carries a pregnancy created through IVF using embryos that are not genetically related to her. This is the only form of surrogacy permitted under the Abu Dhabi framework.
A key requirement is that embryos must be created using the genetic material of both intended parents. Because there is no genetic link between the surrogate and the baby, the framework allows the intended parents to be recognized as the legal parents based on the approved agreement and medical documentation.
Access to surrogacy in Abu Dhabi is strictly regulated. Eligibility criteria are enforced consistently to maintain the integrity of the framework.
Under the Abu Dhabi framework, intended parents must:
Both residents and foreign nationals may apply, provided all requirements are met and the program is approved by the DoH committee.
Documentation such as marriage certificates and medical records is reviewed early in the process. Files must be prepared carefully, as approval depends on document accuracy and compliance.
The following are not eligible to access surrogacy under the Abu Dhabi framework:
These exclusions are applied consistently. If you fall outside eligibility, other jurisdictions may offer alternative pathways.
100%
Success rate to match IPs to a GC who receives medical & psychological approval900+
Babies born & counting!>90%
Our surrogates who are repeat surrogates or sent our way from CFC surrogates21+
Years of helping people become parentsSurrogacy in Abu Dhabi is permitted only for medical reasons. Each indication must be confirmed by a doctor and approved by the DoH ethics and medical committee.
Commonly accepted indications include:
Medical documentation is reviewed before a program can proceed. Clear records help prevent delays and allow treatment planning to move forward without interruption.
Fill out this form to share your story with us, so we can create a personalized surrogacy program tailored to your needs.
Requirements aren’t restricted to intended parents only, surrogates also have a number of medical and legal criteria to meet. These exist to protect the surrogate and the baby during every journey.
Each surrogate must complete medical and psychological screening as part of the approved program. Screening confirms medical suitability and readiness to participate in a surrogacy arrangement, and all of this is coordinated through licensed hospitals and agencies. The requirements include, but aren’t limited to:
Each of these requirements have been set out by the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, and they must be followed in order for a gestational surrogacy program to be successful.
Where applicable, spousal consent is included as part of the notarized agreement to prevent future disputes regarding parental rights.
Surrogacy arrangements in Abu Dhabi are formalized through written, notarized agreements that form part of the DoH approval file.
A tripartite notarized agreement between the intended parents and the surrogate is mandatory. This agreement is central to program approval, birth registration, and legal parentage recognition.
Contracts typically define:
Well prepared contracts support smoother administration throughout the journey.
In Abu Dhabi, agency involvement is not optional. Programs may only be conducted through accredited agencies working with licensed hospitals.
A suitable agency should:
Embrymama operates within these structures, reducing administrative friction by managing coordination locally.
Questions to clarify include:
Agencies should coordinate:
You should expect:
Donor material is not currently permitted under the Abu Dhabi surrogacy framework. Embryos must be created using the genetic material of both intended parents. Donor eggs or donor sperm are not supported within this structure.
We know this is a significant decision that requires time. That’s why your first consultation with us is a pressure-free conversation, not a sales call.
International intended parents may apply for surrogacy in Abu Dhabi if they meet eligibility requirements. Many preparatory steps can be completed remotely, including consultations and document review. However, programs cannot be launched remotely, and intended parents must be present in person during the initial stages and for the birth.
Embryos may be created abroad if medical testing fully complies with DoH requirements and documentation is approved before transport.
Abu Dhabi’s medical infrastructure supports regulated surrogacy within licensed healthcare facilities.
Programs may only be conducted at licensed hospitals such as Corniche, Danat Al Emarat, Tawam, and Kanad. These facilities operate under DoH regulation and are familiar with committee approved surrogacy cases.
Once pregnancy is confirmed, prenatal care is coordinated through licensed obstetric providers with structured monitoring and reporting.
Delivery occurs in an approved hospital. Birth planning and documentation preparation begin well before delivery to ensure registration proceeds smoothly.
Abu Dhabi follows a defined sequence that links eligibility, approval, medical treatment, and registration. The process is designed to operate inside a regulated framework overseen by the Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi, which means every stage depends on documented compliance rather than informal arrangements.
Some steps can begin online, including consultations and document preparation. However, programs cannot be launched remotely. Intended parents must be present in person during the initial stages, and they must also return to Abu Dhabi for delivery.
The program usually starts with an online consultation with the agency manager. This stage is where basic eligibility is reviewed in line with the Abu Dhabi framework, including confirmation that the intended parents are a legally married heterosexual couple and that the case is being pursued for medical reasons.
This first stage also sets expectations early. In Abu Dhabi, the system is structured, but it is not flexible. If the eligibility criteria are not met, the case cannot move forward under this framework.
Once eligibility appears appropriate, intended parents prepare a medical report and supporting documentation. The Abu Dhabi framework requires medical proof because surrogacy is only permitted for medical reasons, and each indication must be confirmed by a doctor and approved by the DoH ethics and medical committee.
Document preparation also includes practical steps that matter in regulated programs, including translation into English and legal formalities such as notarisation and apostille where applicable. This stage is often where timelines are protected or lost, depending on how quickly the file is prepared and whether documents match expected formats.
The next stage typically involves an online consultation with a clinic doctor. This consultation helps align the case medically before moving toward DoH review. It is part of the “pre approval” pathway described in the source material, meaning the clinic reviews the case and prepares for submission into the regulated process.
Because approval depends on medical and legal compliance, this is also the stage where medical requirements and screening are clarified, including infectious and genetic screening and psychological counseling, with signed consent.
This step covers two areas that are frequently underestimated by international intended parents.
First is logistics, including embryo transportation where embryos were created outside the UAE. Abu Dhabi law allows embryos created abroad to be used under a key condition: the medical tests completed by the parents before embryo creation must comply with the DoH Abu Dhabi list, and the embryo must be created entirely from the biological material of the intended parents.
Second is consulate planning. Intended parents are advised to consult their consulate early because post birth exit documents depend on home country requirements. This early planning reduces uncertainty later, especially when families need to align documentation with consular expectations.
At this stage, the intended parents sign the contract with the agency. The source material confirms this can be done remotely.
This phase also includes preparation of powers of attorney, which are listed as part of the mandatory steps. It is essentially the stage where the legal and administrative structure becomes formal, and where payment milestones begin, including the first payment.
Abu Dhabi programs cannot be launched remotely. Intended parents must be physically present in person during the initial stages, and this is where that requirement is applied.
This usually includes the intended parents attending a personal visit with the doctor at the start of the program, after earlier online consultations have been completed. Being present is part of how the Abu Dhabi system maintains control, verification, and documented consent.
Once the program is launched and the file is progressing through the regulated pathway, surrogate mother selection takes place.
A key legal requirement in Abu Dhabi is the tripartite notarized agreement signed between the intended parents and the surrogate mother. The source also notes that the agreement is signed with the surrogate’s spouse’s consent where applicable.
This agreement is not simply an agency document. It is a core legal instrument within the DoH regulated process and is tied directly to later registration procedures.
After the surrogate is selected and the notarized agreement is in place, the embryo transfer stage proceeds.
The Abu Dhabi framework requires that programs be conducted at licensed hospitals and within the regulated structure. The process then moves into pregnancy and monitoring. This is also where mandatory insurance for the surrogate must be arranged, covering medical expenses related to transfers, pregnancy, and birth, paid for by the intended parents.
This stage also includes infectious and genetic screening and psychological counseling with signed consent as part of the overall compliance structure.
Parents are expected to return to Abu Dhabi for the delivery. The source material lists “parents’ arrival for the delivery” as a specific mandatory step.
Birth planning typically involves aligning the hospital delivery plan with the documentation requirements that will follow immediately after birth. In a regulated system, planning early helps avoid delays when the birth certificate and consular submissions need to be processed quickly.
After delivery, intended parents move into formal registration and documentation collection.
The source material states that after the child is born, the intended parents are listed on the birth certificate and the surrogate legally waives all rights. The child is registered based on the notarized agreement.
This stage includes collecting hospital records and attaching copies of the notarized agreement as part of the registration file. It is also where accuracy becomes critical because registration is based on verified documentation.
After birth registration, intended parents begin the process of securing exit and citizenship documentation for their home country through their consulate in the UAE.
The source material outlines the typical stages:
We know this is a significant decision that requires time. That's why your first consultation with us is a pressure-free conversation, not a sales call.
| Step | Stage | What This Means |
| 1 | Eligibility Review | Online consultation and confirmation that the case fits the Abu Dhabi eligibility model and medical based access requirement |
| 2 | Documentation | Preparation of medical reports and documents, including translation into English and notarisation or apostille where required |
| 3 | DoH Pre Approval | Online consultation with the clinic doctor and alignment with DoH expectations before formal progression |
| 4 | Logistics Planning | Embryo transport review where applicable, and consulate consultation to plan exit documents after birth |
| 5 | Contracts | Agency contract signing (may be remote), powers of attorney prepared, first payment made under the program structure |
| 6 | Program Launch | Intended parents attend in person in Abu Dhabi for the start of the program, as programs cannot be launched remotely |
| 7 | Surrogate Matching | Surrogate is selected and the tripartite notarized agreement is signed, including spouse consent where applicable |
| 8 | Embryo Transfer | Embryo transfer, pregnancy confirmation, monitoring, and mandatory surrogate insurance coverage for medical costs |
| 9 | Birth Planning | Parents plan and travel for delivery, and documentation preparation begins ahead of registration |
| 10 | Birth & Registration | Birth occurs and registration proceeds based on hospital records and notarized agreement, with parents named on the birth certificate |
| 11 | Return Home | Consular submission and issuance of exit documents, passport, or visa for the baby based on home country requirements |
Legal parentage in Abu Dhabi is addressed through the approved surrogacy agreement and verified documentation. When files are compliant, legal parentage is handled through the regulated structure rather than post birth court proceedings.
The intended parents are listed on the birth certificate. The surrogate legally waives parental rights under the notarized agreement, and registration is completed based on that approved agreement.
Birth registration is completed using hospital records and the approved contract documentation. The source notes that the hospital medical report and copies of the notarized agreement are attached to the registration file. Accuracy and completeness matter because registration depends on verification, not informal confirmation.
We know this is a significant decision that requires time. That's why your first consultation with us is a pressure-free conversation, not a sales call.
After birth and official registration in Abu Dhabi, intended parents begin the process of obtaining the child’s exit and citizenship documentation through their home country’s consulate in the UAE. Requirements vary depending on nationality and home country legal process.
The source material lists common submission items such as:
Processing often takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks depending on the country, legal requirements, and verification workload. Delays are typically linked to consular requirements, verification steps, and whether the documentation file is complete and consistent.
There is no fixed timeline stated in the source. Duration depends on the speed of document preparation, medical approvals, embryo logistics if embryos are transported, and post birth consular processing.
The overall program length is case dependent and influenced by medical complexity and administrative review requirements within the DoH framework.
Preparation phase
This includes consultations, medical reporting, translation, notarisation, apostille, and DoH aligned review steps.
Medical phase
This includes embryo logistics or embryo creation planning, surrogate selection, agreement signing, and embryo transfer.
Pregnancy phase
This includes pregnancy monitoring under licensed healthcare structures with required insurance coverage.
Post birth phase
This includes birth registration, issuance of the birth certificate in the intended parents’ names, and consular processing for exit documents.
The main factors include:
Financial obligations are defined through formal program contracts and are structured through the approved framework. The source material includes required program steps such as initial payment milestones and mandatory insurance coverage for the surrogate, paid by the intended parents.
Costs vary depending on medical needs, documentation requirements, embryo logistics, and administrative complexity. The Abu Dhabi framework prioritizes regulation, documentation, and oversight rather than low cost operation. Currently, the cost ranges from $65,000 to $300,000 USD which have a mixture of aspects included. The higher the cost, the more that will be included in your chosen program. It is highly recommended to contact us to discuss your preferences before proceeding.
Abu Dhabi operates under a defined legal and medical structure regulated by DoH.
Cases require review and approval by a DoH ethics and medical committee that includes legal and medical oversight.
Birth registration is designed to issue a birth certificate naming the intended parents based on the notarized agreement and verified documents.
Programs may only be conducted through licensed hospitals within the regulated healthcare system.
Access is limited to legally married heterosexual couples with approved medical indications.
Programs are structured and cannot be launched remotely, and donor material is not permitted.
The post birth exit process depends on home country consular requirements and verification workload, which can extend timelines.
We know this is a significant decision that requires time. That's why your first consultation with us is a pressure-free conversation, not a sales call.
The most effective mitigation steps within this framework are:
Families who qualify choose Abu Dhabi because it offers a regulated, committee approved pathway within licensed healthcare structures. The system is designed to reduce uncertainty through documentation, approvals, and controlled processes rather than flexibility.
No. At present, surrogacy is only permitted in Abu Dhabi under the regulatory oversight of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, and programs cannot legally operate in other emirates until separate legislation is introduced.
Yes. Every surrogacy case must be reviewed and approved by a designated medical and ethics committee before treatment can begin, and programs cannot proceed without this formal authorization.
In some cases, embryos created abroad may be accepted, but only if medical testing, laboratory standards, and documentation fully comply with DoH requirements and receive prior approval before transfer.
No. When a surrogacy program is approved and conducted in compliance with the Abu Dhabi framework, legal parentage is established through documentation rather than post birth court proceedings.
No. Traditional surrogacy is not permitted, and the surrogate must not have a genetic relationship to the child under any approved Abu Dhabi surrogacy program.
Intended parents must remain in the UAE until birth registration and consular exit documents are issued, which typically takes several weeks depending on nationality and document verification.
Surrogacy arrangements are structured and documented rather than anonymous, as identities and agreements must be disclosed to regulators, hospitals, and authorities as part of program approval.
If a cycle does not result in pregnancy, next steps depend on medical assessment, remaining embryos, and continued eligibility under the approved framework, rather than automatic progression.
Yes. Programs conducted outside licensed hospitals or without accredited agency coordination fall outside the legal framework and can jeopardize parentage recognition and birth registration.
If your family meets the eligibility criteria and you value a highly regulated, committee approved process, Abu Dhabi may be a suitable option. The next step is not commitment, but an eligibility and documentation review to confirm whether the UAE framework aligns with your circumstances. You can contact us to discuss your options further.
Fill out this form to share your story with us, so we can create a personalized surrogacy program tailored to your needs.
