Who is the legal parent in Finland?
Under the Parenthood Act, the mother is the person who gave birth. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs explains that a foreign decision establishing the intended mother’s maternity is not recognised when a person habitually resident in Finland had a child through surrogacy abroad. It may be recognised only if the intended mother lived in the issuing country for at least one year immediately before the birth, or if the decision is recognised in the country where she lived without interruption for that year. Otherwise, maternity can only be transferred through adoption.
Paternity
Paternity is also determined under the Parenthood Act, which has no specific provisions on surrogacy. Foreign documents must meet Finnish recognition rules, so prepare the evidence of the father’s genetic link and of the surrogate’s marital status carefully.
Treatment and preparation
Surrogacy is not available as fertility treatment in Finland, so all medical steps take place at the clinic in Lviv or Tbilisi.
Unmarried couples
Before choosing Georgia as an unmarried couple, confirm with a Finnish family lawyer how the intended mother’s adoption would work in your case. We go through this with you before any contract is signed.
About this guide
This guide summarises official sources for planning. It is not legal advice for your individual case; a lawyer in your country confirms the route before you sign.
