We know surrogacy abroad raises many questions. Here are honest, clear answers to the ones we hear most often. Still have something on your mind? Book a free consultation.
Orbi Official is an Australian-run surrogacy guidance and coordination service. We are not a surrogacy agency or a law firm — we are your on-the-ground support team. We help Australian Intended Parents navigate the surrogacy process in Georgia and Armenia by coordinating legal referrals, clinic communication, accommodation, local transport, document tracking, and post-birth logistics. Think of us as your experienced friend who has been through this journey and knows exactly who to call, where to go, and what to expect.
Both Georgia and Armenia have well-established legal frameworks that explicitly permit commercial altruistic surrogacy for heterosexual couples. The birth certificate issued in these countries names the Intended Parents — not the surrogate — from birth. This significantly simplifies the path to Australian citizenship for the child. Other popular destinations such as Ukraine or Thailand carry legal uncertainty or restrictions for Australians, making Georgia and Armenia the most reliable and cost-effective options currently available.
Our services are designed primarily for Australian Intended Parents pursuing surrogacy in Georgia or Armenia. Both countries require that at least one Intended Parent has a genetic link to the child (i.e. the embryo must use the sperm or egg of one of the Intended Parents). If you are a same-sex couple or single parent, please book a consultation as eligibility depends on the specific clinic and jurisdiction.
The best first step is to book a free, no-obligation initial consultation. During this call we will learn about your situation, answer your questions, explain our packages, and outline realistic timelines and costs. There is no pressure and no commitment required. You can book directly via our appointment page.
From your first consultation to bringing your baby home to Australia, most journeys take between 18 and 30 months. The timeline includes:
Timelines vary significantly depending on IVF success rates, legal processing times, and document requirements at the time of travel.
Yes. Commercial surrogacy is legal in both Georgia and Armenia for heterosexual couples where at least one parent has a genetic connection to the child. The legal framework in both countries recognises the Intended Parents as the legal parents from birth. However, Australian law does not recognise foreign commercial surrogacy agreements, so the path to bringing your child home requires careful legal navigation — which is why professional legal referral is a core part of what we arrange for you.
If one or both Intended Parents are Australian citizens, your child is entitled to Australian citizenship by descent. The process involves applying for a citizenship certificate and then an Australian passport, which allows you to bring your child home. Orbi coordinates this documentation process with the Australian Embassy. DNA evidence of the genetic link is typically required. This process usually takes 4–10 weeks after birth.
Yes — and this is important. You will need a lawyer in the destination country to handle the surrogacy agreement, birth registration, and local documentation. You will also benefit from independent legal advice in Australia to understand your rights and obligations under Australian family law. Orbi refers you to qualified lawyers in both jurisdictions who have specific experience with international surrogacy for Australian families.
In both Georgia and Armenia, the surrogacy agreement is a legally binding contract. The surrogate relinquishes all parental rights at birth, and the Intended Parents are registered as the legal parents on the birth certificate. The surrogate has no legal claim to the child. However, emotional dynamics are always treated with respect and care — Orbi ensures surrogates are properly supported throughout the process.
Surrogate selection is handled by the clinic or agency partner in Georgia or Armenia. Surrogates typically undergo extensive physical, genetic, and psychological screening before being approved. This includes blood tests, hormonal panels, a full health assessment, and an evaluation by an independent psychologist. Orbi ensures you are working with clinics that meet international screening standards and that you receive full transparency on the process.
You can use your own eggs if the intended mother is able to produce viable eggs through an IVF cycle. If egg donation is required — due to age, medical conditions, or other factors — Georgia and Armenia both have large, well-managed egg donor databases. Donors are anonymous and are screened for health, genetic markers, and physical characteristics. Packages that include egg donation are available through Orbi.
In many cases, the sperm sample can be provided and shipped to the clinic, and egg retrieval (if your own eggs are used) requires the intended mother to travel for approximately 10–14 days around the retrieval procedure. The embryo transfer is performed on the surrogate and does not require Intended Parents to be present, though many choose to attend. We coordinate all travel requirements as part of our service.
IVF success rates vary by age, embryo quality, and clinic. A first-attempt success rate of 40–60% is typical. If the first transfer fails, a subsequent cycle can be attempted, either with remaining frozen embryos or a new IVF cycle. Our Unlimited Surrogacy + Egg Donation package includes unlimited transfer attempts, giving you the greatest reassurance. Orbi remains with you through every cycle.
Total costs depend heavily on the package and number of IVF attempts required. As a general guide, complete journeys range from approximately AUD $60,000 to $110,000+ when all costs are considered including clinic fees, surrogate compensation, legal fees, accommodation, travel, and documentation. Orbi's packages cover many of these elements — see our Packages page for details on what is included.
We are committed to full transparency. The most common additional costs beyond package inclusions are:
We provide a full cost breakdown during your initial consultation so there are no surprises.
Medicare does not cover overseas fertility treatments or surrogacy-related medical costs. Some Australian private health insurers may cover elements of IVF if performed in Australia prior to travel (e.g. egg retrieval). Costs incurred in Georgia or Armenia are generally not covered. We recommend speaking with your insurer and a financial advisor early in the process to plan accordingly.
No. Payments are typically structured in stages aligned with key milestones — for example, an initial engagement fee, a payment at embryo transfer, a payment at confirmed pregnancy, and a final payment upon birth and documentation completion. Surrogate compensation is also paid in monthly instalments during pregnancy. Orbi provides a clear payment schedule during your onboarding so you can plan your finances with confidence.
No. You do not need to be present for the entire pregnancy. Most Intended Parents travel to the destination country for the embryo transfer, again around the 30–34 week mark to prepare for the birth, and then remain until documentation is complete. Orbi coordinates clinic updates and progress reports so you remain fully informed from Australia throughout the pregnancy.
We arrange comfortable, serviced apartments in central Tbilisi (Georgia) or Yerevan (Armenia) — close to the clinic and key facilities. Accommodation is private, safe, baby-friendly, and well-equipped for extended stays. We select properties based on safety, proximity to the clinic, and comfort for new parents with a newborn. Short-stay and extended options are available.
Yes. Your dedicated Orbi coordinator is available to you throughout your in-country stay. Whether it is a medical question, a last-minute transport need, a translation issue, or simply reassurance in a stressful moment — we are reachable and responsive. Orbi is built on the belief that no family should navigate this journey alone.
Not at all. Orbi provides translation and interpretation support for all medical appointments, legal meetings, and government office visits. The clinics we partner with also have English-speaking staff. You will never be left in a situation where language is a barrier to understanding your care or your child's care.
The key documents required are:
Orbi coordinates all of these with the Australian Embassy and local authorities. The process typically takes 4–10 weeks from birth.
We connect you with experienced, vetted nannies who can assist with newborn care while you await documentation — which can take several weeks. This gives you the freedom to rest, recover, and bond with your child without the full exhaustion of solo newborn care in an unfamiliar environment. Nannies are selected for their experience with newborns, reliability, and English communication ability.
Yes. Once you return to Australia, you are required to register the overseas birth with your state or territory's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. You may also need to obtain a court order under Australian family law to be formally recognised as the legal parent — requirements vary by state. The lawyers we refer you to in Australia will guide you through this post-return legal process.
Yes. Our relationship doesn't end when your flight lands. We remain a point of contact for questions about the Australian legal registration process, and we are always happy to hear from our families. Many of the families we have worked with stay in touch long after their journey is complete — and that means everything to us.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our team. We'll answer every question honestly and help you understand whether surrogacy in Georgia or Armenia is right for your family.