Ukraine is one of the most cost-effective surrogacy destinations available to US intended parents in 2026 — programs start at roughly $39,900, less than a third of a comparable US program. The trade-off is that the post-birth procedure runs through the US Embassy in Kyiv rather than a US hospital, which adds paperwork the agency has to coordinate carefully. This guide walks through every step a US couple should expect, with the specifics that most articles gloss over.
Eligibility for US intended parents under Ukrainian law
Ukraine restricts gestational surrogacy to married heterosexual couples with a documented medical indication preventing the intended mother from carrying a pregnancy safely to term. At least one intended parent must be genetically related to the embryo. These criteria apply to US couples exactly as they do to Ukrainian nationals — there is no special exemption or restriction for foreigners.
Same-sex couples and single intended parents from the US should consider Colombia, Mexico or a domestic US program instead.
Step 1: Initial consultation and medical screening
Before any contracts are signed, Militta reviews your medical history, marriage certificate and your medical indication. We then coordinate a remote screening with the Ukrainian IVF clinic — most US couples never need to travel for this stage. If donor eggs or donor sperm are required, we present matched profiles for your approval before any cycle begins.
Step 2: Marriage certificate apostille
Your US marriage certificate must be apostilled in the state where it was issued. The apostille is then translated into Ukrainian by a certified translator and notarised. We coordinate this with a US-based legalisation service so you do not have to mail original documents internationally yourself. Expect 2 to 4 weeks.
Step 3: IVF and embryo creation
Most US intended parents fly to Kyiv once for the IVF cycle — typically 7 to 14 days. Some couples ship pre-created embryos from a US clinic instead; this is faster but requires careful coordination of cryoshipper logistics and an extra US legal step confirming embryo ownership. Either path is supported.
Embryos are then either transferred fresh or frozen for a later cycle once a surrogate is matched. PGT-A genetic testing is commonly added by US couples and adds about $4,000 to the program.
Step 4: Surrogate matching and contract
Militta presents 2 to 4 surrogate candidates from our pool of pre-screened gestational carriers. You see medical reports, psychological evaluations and a video introduction before matching. Once you select a surrogate, three parties — the intended parents, the surrogate and the IVF clinic — sign a notarised tri-party agreement in Ukrainian and English. This contract is the legal basis for parentage at birth under Article 123 of the Ukrainian Family Code.
Step 5: Pregnancy and prenatal care
Throughout pregnancy you receive monthly written updates with scan images, lab results and the surrogate's welfare report. Most US couples do not travel during this stage. Your case manager is on a US-friendly schedule and reachable via Telegram, WhatsApp or scheduled Zoom calls.
Step 6: Birth, RAGS and apostille
About 4 weeks before delivery, you fly to Kyiv. After delivery, the hospital issues a medical certificate of birth listing both intended parents. The civil registry office (RAGS) then issues the official Ukrainian birth certificate — typically within 5 to 7 business days. We obtain an apostille on the birth certificate in another 5 to 10 days.
Step 7: US Embassy Kyiv — CRBA and US passport
This is the step unique to US intended parents. To bring your baby home you need:
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, Form FS-240) — the State Department's formal recognition that the child acquired US citizenship at birth through a US-citizen parent.
- US passport — issued at the same embassy appointment.
The CRBA appointment requires both intended parents (when both are US citizens) or the US-citizen parent (when only one is) to appear in person at the US Embassy in Kyiv with the apostilled Ukrainian birth certificate, the surrogacy agreement, IVF clinic records establishing the genetic link, and a DNA test confirming biological parentage. Militta arranges the DNA testing through an embassy-approved lab — this is non-optional and takes approximately 2 weeks.
After the appointment, the CRBA and passport are typically issued within 2 to 4 weeks. Total time in Kyiv around birth: 6 to 10 weeks. Plan accordingly with employers.
State-level second-parent recognition
On arrival home, most US couples then file for a state-level confirmation of parentage so both names appear on a US-issued birth certificate, especially if they want a state-issued document for school enrolment, insurance and Social Security. The exact procedure varies by state — Militta refers you to a US family-law attorney experienced in international surrogacy before you leave Ukraine.
What does the whole thing cost a US couple in 2026?
Total all-in budget for a US intended-parent couple, including Ukrainian program, US-side paperwork, travel and contingencies:
- Standard program: $48,000 – $58,000
- Guaranteed-baby tier: $62,000 – $72,000
- Premium VIP tier: $72,000 – $85,000
Travel for two adults (Kyiv flights, accommodation for IVF stay plus the 6–10-week post-birth stay, meals, local transport) typically lands at $9,000 to $14,000 on top of the program fee. See our line-itemised Ukraine cost page for the program-side breakdown.
US tax considerations
Surrogacy fees paid to a foreign surrogate are not US-deductible as medical expenses. IVF costs, however, are deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5% of AGI — keep US-clinic invoices for any portion of IVF performed domestically. Funds wired abroad in excess of $10,000 trigger an FBAR filing if held in your name in a foreign account; an escrow held by Militta's attorney does not. We provide a US-tax memo summarising these points before contract signing.
Realistic timeline for a US couple
- Months 1–2: consultation, contracts, document prep
- Months 2–4: IVF and embryo creation
- Months 4–7: surrogate matching and embryo transfer
- Months 7–16: pregnancy
- Months 16–18: birth, RAGS, apostille, US Embassy CRBA, passport
Plan for 16 to 20 months from your first call to the day you land back home with the baby.
Next steps
If you and your partner meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is a 30-minute consultation with a senior Militta case manager. We do not ask for a deposit or any payment to begin — the first call is confidential and at no cost. Request a consultation, or read the full Surrogacy in Ukraine destination page for legal and clinical detail.
Disclaimer: This article is informational and does not constitute legal, medical or tax advice. US embassy procedures and Ukrainian regulations change. Always consult a US family-law attorney and the relevant embassy before entering any surrogacy arrangement.