Surrogacy in Kazakhstan
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Average price: 50,000 to 70,000 USD (historic range for pre-closure international programs)
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Legal status: Regulated/restricted to citizens of Kazakhstan from 26 July 2026
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Intended Parents Accepted: Married couples who are citizens of Kazakhstan
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Types of surrogacy supported: Gestational surrogacy
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Surrogate Compensation: Commercial surrogacy
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The Surrogacy Insider viewpoint: As of 26 July 2026, Kazakhstan is no longer an option for international intended parents.
Important Update: In July 2026, Kazakhstan Closes to International Surrogacy
On 14 July 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 350-VIII, amending Article 54 of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 518-IV "On Marriage (Matrimony) and the Family", the chapter governing surrogacy and assisted reproductive technologies.
From 26 July 2026, only married couples who are citizens of Kazakhstan may enter into a surrogacy agreement in the country. International intended parents are no longer able to pursue surrogacy programmes in Kazakhstan.
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If you are already mid-journey in Kazakhstan:
How contracts concluded before 26 July 2026 are treated under the transition is a question for a Kazakh family lawyer and your agency. Confirm your position in writing as soon as possible. If you would like an independent view of your options, get in touch.
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If Kazakhstan was on your shortlist:
You are not out of options. See section "Alternatives to Kazakhstan" below.
This change may also ripple beyond Kazakhstan's borders. Kazakh women have for years participated as surrogates in programmes abroad - in Albania, Armenia, Georgia, and Northern Cyprus, and whether the domestic restriction increases that cross-border participation remains to be seen. We are watching closely and will update this page as the picture develops.
Until July 2026, Kazakhstan was a rising surrogacy destination, especially for international couples seeking an affordable and transparent process within a clearly defined legal framework.
The country combined accessibility, professionalism, and lower overall costs with one of the region's most structured systems governing assisted reproduction, which is precisely why the new restriction matters so much to families across Asia, Eastern Europe, and beyond.
The information below is retained as reference: it describes the legal framework that continues to apply to eligible Kazakh citizen couples, and the programme structure that operated for international parents before the change.
If you are comparing destinations, it remains a useful benchmark for what a well-regulated Central Asian programme looked like.
Under Kazakh law, surrogacy is regulated through the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Marriage and Family."
The law allows married couples to enter into a notarized surrogacy contract with a woman who agrees to carry a child for them. Same-sex couples and single parents were never eligible under the regulations, and since 26 July 2026, eligibility is further restricted to married couples holding Kazakh citizenship.
While the law requires intended parents to cover all medical and related expenses for the surrogate, local legal and clinical practice generally interprets this as allowing financial compensation within structured programs. This approach provides clarity and protection for both parties, defining parental rights from the moment of birth.
Importantly, the intended parents' names appear directly on the birth certificate, avoiding post-birth court procedures that can be required in other countries.
Understanding the Legal Landscape for Surrogacy in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has one of the most clearly structured legal systems for surrogacy in Central Asia. Surrogacy is primarily governed by the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Marriage and Family" (adopted 26 December 2011, No. 518-IV), as amended, together with accompanying regulations from the Ministry of Health. These define the rights, obligations, and eligibility criteria for all parties involved.
Eligibility and Medical Indications
Under Article 54 of the Code, as amended by Law No. 350-VIII of 14 July 2026 (effective 26 July 2026), a surrogacy agreement may only be concluded between spouses who are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and a woman who agrees to carry a child for them via assisted reproductive technology (ART). Single parents and same-sex couples are not eligible, and, since the 2026 amendment, neither are foreign couples.
To qualify, the intended mother must demonstrate a medical need for surrogacy, verified by an official diagnosis confirming her inability to carry a pregnancy. Acceptable medical indications include uterine malformations, repeated pregnancy loss, or health risks making gestation unsafe. This requirement underscores the ethical and medical intent of Kazakh legislation: surrogacy as a medical solution, not a lifestyle option.
Requirements for Surrogate Mothers
According to Article 56 of the same Code and the Ministry of Health's directives, surrogates must meet specific eligibility standards:
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Be between 20 and 35 years old
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Be in good physical and mental health, confirmed by medical examinations
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Have at least one healthy biological child of their own
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If married, obtain notarized consent from their spouse
These criteria are designed to safeguard both the surrogate's welfare and the child's wellbeing.
In-Person Presence and Notarized Contracts (applicable to eligible citizen couples)
A distinctive feature of Kazakhstan's surrogacy law is its emphasis on in-person legal procedures. Both intended parents must appear personally to sign every notarized contract with the surrogate. The law does not permit the use of Power of Attorney (PoA) for signing such agreements.
Structure and Legal Force of Surrogacy Contracts
In Kazakhstan, the surrogacy contract is the legal foundation of the entire process. It must be notarized and include:
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Rights and responsibilities of both parties
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Detailed medical obligations and confidentiality clauses
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Financial obligations (including required coverage of medical and related costs)
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Terms governing post-birth procedures
While the Code explicitly obliges intended parents to cover all medical and related expenses, it does not clearly differentiate between reimbursement and compensation.
In practice, most surrogacy agreements include structured financial compensation for the surrogate, interpreted as consistent with the law's intent to recognize her service while ensuring transparency.
Importantly, the law states that the surrogate has no parental rights to the child once born. The intended parents are listed directly on the birth certificate, providing immediate legal parentage without the need for court procedures.
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How Much Did Surrogacy in Kazakhstan Cost?
The figures below reflect programme pricing before the July 2026 closure. They remain a useful benchmark when comparing regional alternatives, and continue to indicate the market for eligible Kazakh citizen couples.
Based on estimates from leading IVF clinics and surrogacy agencies in Almaty and Astana, total programme costs typically ranged from 50,000 to 70,000 USD. That covers the four core components below, plus travel, accommodation, translation and document legalisation, and a contingency buffer, which together account for the difference between the itemised costs and the full journey total.
Cost Breakdown
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Medical Costs: Fertility treatments, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures, prenatal care, and childbirth expenses. On average, 10,000–20,000 USD, depending on the complexity of the case and the medical facility.
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Legal Fees: Notarised contracts, consultancy fees, and legal representation, typically 2,000–4,000 USD.
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Agency Fees: Surrogate selection, administrative support, and travel arrangements, generally 5,000–15,000 USD.
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Surrogate Compensation: Most programmes included living support payments to the surrogate beyond the legally required medical coverage — contractually agreed rather than set by the state, varying with experience, medical complexity, and clinic policy. Typical range: 18,000–25,000 USD.
Note: Compensation practices follow local norms but are not explicitly detailed in Kazakh legislation. Surrogacy fees in Kazakhstan are not set by the government, they are agreed by private contract.
Alternatives to Kazakhstan for International Intended Parents
If Kazakhstan was on your list, the closest matches depend on what drew you to it:
If you value the clear legal framework and parents-on-the-birth-certificate model:
Armenia offers a regulated pathway with direct birth registration for married couples and, since its 2024 reform, single intended parents.
Georgia offers an established framework for heterosexual couples. Check our page for the current status of its own legislative debates before committing.
If affordability was the draw:
Ghana offers pre-birth parental orders at some of the lowest costs available, with the caveats covered on that page.
If you need broader eligibility (single men, male same-sex couples):
Albania, Colombia, and Mexico remain the main options, each with a different legal model and risk profile.
Kazakhstan's closure is also a reminder of something we tell every family: a country that is accessible today may not remain so tomorrow. Choosing a destination should weigh not only current legislation but legal stability, clinical experience, and the practical pathway for returning home with your child.
That assessment is exactly what a free discovery session is for.
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What Makes Kazakhstan Different from Other Surrogacy Destinations
Kazakhstan offers a middle ground between affordability and structure. Unlike some countries that have temporarily restricted or suspended surrogacy programs, Kazakhstan maintains a stable legal framework where surrogacy remains permitted, regulated, and clearly defined in law.
Its balance of moderate costs, legal transparency, and mandatory in-person participation makes it especially suitable for parents who want both security and personal involvement in the process.
Pros and Cons of Surrogacy in Kazakhstan
The following reflects the programme as it operated for international parents until July 2026, and as it continues for eligible Kazakh citizen couples.
Advantages
1. Clear Legal Framework: Kazakhstan maintains one of the region's most well-defined legal structures for surrogacy. The Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Marriage and Family" clearly outlines the roles, rights, and obligations of both the surrogate and the intended parents.
2. Parental Rights from Birth: The intended parents' names are recorded directly on the child's birth certificate; no post-birth court process is required in Kazakhstan (recognition steps may still be required by a family's home country).
3. Affordability and Medical Standards: Programmes were significantly more affordable than in the United States or Western Europe, while clinics in Almaty and Astana operate under Ministry of Health regulation.
4. Availability of Experienced Local Surrogates: Established IVF clinics and programmes meant a consistent pool of screened local surrogates and short matching times.
5. Regional Accessibility: Convenient for couples from Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Challenges
1. Closed to International Intended Parents (from 26 July 2026): Under Law No. 350-VIII, only married couples who are citizens of Kazakhstan may conclude surrogacy agreements. This supersedes every other consideration for foreign families.
2. Restricted Eligibility Generally: Even for citizens, surrogacy is available only to married heterosexual couples with a verified medical indication. Single parents and same-sex couples are not eligible.
3. Mandatory In-Person Procedures: Both intended parents must be physically present for every notarized contract signing; no Power of Attorney is permitted.
4. Limited Donor Diversity: Options for European phenotypes are more limited than in Western clinics.
5. Legal and Language Barriers: Official documents must be prepared in Russian or Kazakh and notarized locally, adding translation and legal review costs.
Personal Assistance During Your Surrogacy Journey
Starting a surrogacy journey can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory: different language, laws, and logistics. That's exactly where independent guidance becomes invaluable. At The Surrogacy Insider, our role is to help intended parents feel confident, informed, and supported at the research stage.
Unlike agencies, I don't represent clinics or intermediaries. My advice is fully independent, designed to help you make the right decisions for your circumstances, with complete transparency.
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How Can Surrogacy Insider Support You
✓ Personal Consultations and Step-by-Step Guidance
From your first conversation, we’ll walk you through how surrogacy in Kazakhstan works - legally, medically, and practically. I will help you understand eligibility, required documentation, and what to expect at each phase, so you can make well-informed decisions as to whether Kazakhstan is a right destination for you.
✓ Assistance with Clinic and Agency Selection
I’d be happy to connect you with reliable agencies and clinics that have a strong track record supporting international Intended Parents and are familiar with all related processes. Together, we can review their packages to see how they compare and get a clear picture of the overall budget, including any possible extra costs or service fees.
✓ Support for Unique Situations
If your situation requires unique solutions, such as international logistics, legal advice in your home country, or coordination with travel donor agencies or gamete banks, I can make the necessary introductions to ensure all aspects are addressed efficiently and professionally.
✓ Availability for Guidance and Advice
While I am not involved in the day-to-day guidance throughout the surrogacy journey, I am always available should an issue or complication arise. You can rely on me for advice to help navigate challenges and ensure your process stays on track.
Our Approach
I, Olga Pysana, believe that ethical, transparent surrogacy begins with informed parents. My goal is to make the experience clear, organized, and human, offering a balance of empathy and professionalism that gives you peace of mind throughout your journey.
Note: The Surrogacy Insider provides independent consultancy and support in the research stage. I do not act as a medical provider, legal representative, or surrogacy agency.
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Importance of Communication
A successful surrogacy journey is built mostly on open communication. By means of a clear channel of communication between the agency, the intended parents, and the surrogate mother, it guarantees that everyone is in agreement and helps to minimize conflicts and stress. Frequent updates on the health of the surrogate and the pregnancy's development reassure intended parents and help them to become involved.
Early on, expectations for communication should be clearly established.
If you’re considering surrogacy in Kazakhstan, you are welcome to connect with me.
Families Share Their Experience
FAQs: Surrogacy in Kazakhstan
Not anymore. Under Law No. 350-VIII of 14 July 2026 (effective 26 July 2026), surrogacy agreements in Kazakhstan may only be concluded by married couples who are citizens of Kazakhstan. International intended parents can no longer pursue surrogacy programmes in the country.
Only legally married heterosexual couples who are citizens of Kazakhstan, where the intended mother provides medical proof that pregnancy would be unsafe or impossible.
How contracts concluded before 26 July 2026 are treated during the transition should be confirmed directly with your agency and a Kazakh family lawyer. Get their position in writing. If you'd like an independent perspective on your situation and contingency options, contact us.
Only gestational surrogacy is legal. The surrogate has no genetic link to the child and no parental rights after birth.
Surrogates must be aged 20–35, in good physical and mental health, have at least one biological child, and, if married, provide spousal consent.
Total costs typically ranged from 50,000–70,000 USD, including medical treatments (10–20k USD), legal fees (2–4k USD), surrogate support (18–25k USD), agency services (5–15k USD), plus travel, translation, and contingency expenses.
The intended parents' names are listed directly on the birth certificate.
Once a notarized contract is signed and pregnancy confirmed, the surrogate cannot claim parental rights or custody under Kazakh law.
No. Kazakh law allows surrogacy only for married heterosexual couples, and, since July 2026, only those holding Kazakh citizenship.
The July 2026 amendment is itself the answer: surrogacy laws can and do change, sometimes quickly, even in destinations with long-stable frameworks. This is true everywhere, not only in Kazakhstan. It's why we advise every family to weigh legal stability alongside cost and eligibility, to confirm in writing how their contract would be treated if the law changed mid-journey, and to build a contingency plan before starting. We monitor legal developments across all destinations and update our pages as changes occur.
It depends on what attracted you to Kazakhstan. See the "Alternatives to Kazakhstan" section above, or book a free discovery session and we'll map the options for your specific situation.
