Surrogacy in Colombia - Lecture by Bill Howden

Introduction

• Presenter: Bill Howden, Founder of Sensible Surrogacy Agency
• Topic: Surrogacy in Colombia as a popular destination, especially for same-sex families

General Advice on Surrogacy Destinations

• No perfect destination; each country has unique benefits and drawbacks
• Choice depends on personal priorities regarding advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Surrogacy in Colombia

1. Medical Care

• Colombia ranks 22nd globally by WHO for healthcare quality
• Comprehensive National Health Service covers pregnancy, delivery, and complications
• Comparatively advantageous over countries like the US and Mexico which lack a National Health Service

2. Medical Tourism

• Colombia is a well-known destination for medical tourism
• High-quality medical facilities, especially in Bogota

3. Progressive Culture

• Supportive of same-sex families
• Legal support includes gay marriage, adoption rights, and non-discrimination laws
• Constitutional provision for equal protection of alternative families

4. Cost

• Affordable compared to destinations like the United States
• Surrogacy programs in Colombia cost between 55,000 - 60,000 USD
• Fixed cost programs ensure budget clarity

5. Legal Framework

• Constitutional Court Decision (2009) supports surrogacy agreements
• Babies born via surrogacy have equal rights
• Lack of explicit legislation but better than unregulated countries

Disadvantages of Surrogacy in Colombia

1. Birth Certificate Issue

• Surrogate’s name listed on the birth certificate initially
• Legal process exists to remove surrogate’s name, but mother's name remains blank
• Significant issue for heterosexual couples; less so for same-sex couples

2. Legal Adoption Process

• Intended parents may need to pursue legal processes (second-parent or step-parent adoption) in their home country to add the non-genetic parent to the birth certificate

3. Potential Delays

• High demand has led to increased wait times in some clinics
• Growing number of clinics expected to alleviate delays

Costs and Financial Considerations

• Fixed cost programs cover comprehensive expenses
• Additional costs may include:
  • Compensation for twins or pregnancy complications
  • PGT/PGS testing (~$3,000)
  • Personal travel expenses
• It's crucial to have transparent budget details from the agency

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Sensible Surrogacy Agency offers detailed guidance and support
• Visit [sensible surrogacy.com](http://sensible surrogacy.com) for more information
• Contact Bill at bill@sensiblesurrogacy.com for queries and consultations
• Upcoming videos will cover various related topics