Navigating international surrogacy law is complex, consequential, and deeply personal. Orbi Official connects you with the right legal professionals — in the destination country and in Australia — so you move forward with clarity and confidence, never in the dark.
International surrogacy sits at the intersection of two entirely different legal systems — the country where your baby is born, and Australia, the country where you live. Getting both sides right is not optional. It is the foundation everything else is built on.
Orbi Official has built relationships with specialist surrogacy lawyers in Georgia and Armenia who work exclusively in this field. We know who delivers — not just on paper, but in practice. And in Australia, we connect you with independent legal advisors who can advise you on your rights, your obligations, and the pathway to bringing your child home legally and permanently.
We also prepare you for every legal conversation before it happens. We help you understand what to ask, what to look out for, and what the documents actually mean — so you are never an uninformed participant in decisions that affect your family.
We refer only to lawyers we have worked with directly — professionals with proven experience in international surrogacy for Australian families.
Before your first legal consultation, we brief you on the key questions to ask, the documents you'll need, and the terms you're likely to encounter.
Surrogacy requires legal coverage in two jurisdictions. We coordinate referrals in the destination country and in Australia so neither side is left unaddressed.
These are the legal touchpoints of every international surrogacy journey. Orbi ensures you have qualified professional support at each one.
A legally binding, notarised agreement between you and your surrogate — and, where applicable, your egg donor. This document forms the legal basis for the birth certificate and establishes parentage from the moment of birth. Getting this right is the single most important legal step of your entire journey.
In both Georgia and Armenia, the birth certificate names the Intended Parents — not the surrogate — from birth. Your lawyer handles the registration process to ensure this occurs without delay or complication. A correctly registered birth certificate is the foundation of every document that follows.
Australian citizenship by descent requires proof of the genetic link between the child and at least one Australian citizen parent. Your lawyer guides you through the required DNA testing process and ensures the results are correctly presented to the Australian Embassy.
Before you can bring your baby home, your child needs an Australian passport and — where required — an exit visa from the destination country. Your in-country lawyer manages the local authority requirements while Orbi coordinates with the Australian Embassy on the citizenship and passport process.
Australian law does not recognise foreign commercial surrogacy agreements as legally binding in Australia. This does not mean the journey is illegal — but it does mean you need independent Australian legal advice before you sign anything overseas. We connect you with Australian family law specialists who have specific surrogacy experience.
Depending on your state or territory, you may need to apply to an Australian court for a parentage order after you return home. This legally transfers parental rights to you under Australian family law. Your Australian lawyer will advise on whether this applies in your jurisdiction and manage the process if required.
Both countries have well-established surrogacy frameworks that explicitly recognise Intended Parents' rights. Here is what you need to know about each jurisdiction.
Georgia has one of the most favourable legal environments for international surrogacy globally. Gestational surrogacy is explicitly permitted and regulated under Georgian law for heterosexual couples where at least one Intended Parent has a genetic link to the child.
Armenia's legal framework for surrogacy is comparably clear and internationally recognised. Like Georgia, it provides explicit legal protection for Intended Parents and is increasingly chosen by Australian families for its accessibility and cost-effectiveness.
In your first consultation with Orbi, we walk you through the legal landscape in plain language — what the surrogacy agreement is, why you need independent Australian advice, what the birth registration process looks like, and how the pathway to citizenship by descent works for Australian families. No jargon, no assumptions.
We connect you with a qualified surrogacy lawyer in Georgia or Armenia — one we have worked with and trust. They will draft and manage your surrogacy agreement, coordinate with the clinic, and handle the notarisation and local legal requirements. You will meet them before you sign anything.
Before the surrogacy agreement is signed, we refer you to an Australian family law specialist with surrogacy experience. They provide independent legal advice on your rights and obligations under Australian law — a step that protects you, your surrogate, and your future child.
Throughout your journey, Orbi helps you gather and prepare the documents needed at each legal stage — from passport copies and medical clearances through to DNA test results and embassy applications. We track what's outstanding in your client portal so nothing falls through the cracks.
After your baby is born, your in-country lawyer moves immediately to register the birth in your names. Orbi coordinates with both the lawyer and the Australian Embassy on the citizenship by descent application and passport. We stay with you until you have everything you need to bring your baby home.
Once you're home, your Australian lawyer advises on any remaining legal steps — which may include a state-based parentage order depending on your jurisdiction. Orbi remains a point of contact and can help you navigate this final stage with the right professional support.
Transparency is central to how we operate. Being clear about our boundaries protects you and ensures you always have the right professional in the right role.
We do not draft, review, or advise on surrogacy agreements or any other legal documents
We do not provide legal opinions on your specific situation, eligibility, or legal rights
We do not represent you in any legal, court, or government proceeding
We do not advise on immigration, visa, or citizenship outcomes for your specific circumstances
We are not a substitute for independent legal advice — we strongly encourage you to engage your own lawyers separately from our coordination role
We do not guarantee any legal outcome, timeline, or result — legal processes are managed by the lawyers we refer you to, not by us
Yes. It is not illegal for Australian Intended Parents to pursue surrogacy overseas. Some Australian states have laws that prohibit commercial surrogacy within that state, but these laws do not make it a criminal offence for Australians to participate in legal surrogacy arrangements in countries like Georgia and Armenia. However, Australian law does not automatically recognise foreign surrogacy agreements, which is why engaging an Australian lawyer before you begin is essential. We can connect you with the right advisor.
The in-country lawyer handles the legal requirements of the destination country — primarily the surrogacy agreement, birth registration, and exit documentation. The Australian lawyer advises you independently on your rights and obligations under Australian family law. The two roles are complementary but entirely separate. Your Australian lawyer acts solely in your interest and is not connected to the clinic or the arrangement overseas. This separation is important — and in some states, obtaining independent Australian legal advice before signing is strongly recommended.
Yes — if at least one Intended Parent is an Australian citizen and has a genetic connection to the child, the child is entitled to Australian citizenship by descent. The process involves applying for a citizenship certificate through the Department of Home Affairs (DFAT) and then obtaining an Australian passport. DNA evidence confirming the genetic link is typically required. This process is handled through the Australian Embassy in the destination country and generally takes 4–10 weeks after birth. Orbi coordinates this process alongside your in-country lawyer.
A parentage order is a court order issued by an Australian court that formally recognises you as the legal parent of your child under Australian family law. Whether you need one depends on your state or territory. Some jurisdictions require it; others do not. Your Australian lawyer will advise you on what applies in your specific situation. The process typically occurs after you return home and involves a relatively straightforward court application — but it is important and should not be overlooked.
If a legal issue arises at any point — whether related to the agreement, the birth registration, the embassy process, or anything else — your in-country lawyer is your primary point of contact and advocate. Orbi will coordinate communication, help you understand what is happening, and connect you to any additional professional support needed. We will not leave you navigating a legal complication alone. That said, legal complications are rare when the groundwork has been done properly from the start — which is exactly why we invest so much in the preparation phase.
In-country legal fees — specifically the notary and legal costs for preparing the surrogacy agreement — are included within the clinic package price. Additional in-country legal work (such as the exit permit process or embassy documentation) may incur separate fees depending on complexity. Australian independent legal advice is not included in the package and is engaged and paid separately by you directly with the Australian lawyer. We will provide you with a full cost breakdown during your initial consultation so there are no surprises.
Book a free consultation with our team. We'll walk you through the legal landscape in plain language, explain what each step involves, and make sure you know exactly who you need and when.