Yes, surrogacy is legal in Colombia under strict regulatory oversight. The Constitutional Court’s 2022 ruling (T-968) legalized gestational surrogacy, requiring judicial approval for contracts. The 2026 Ley de Gestación Subrogada further refines compliance, mandating oversight by the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) and ethical alignment with the Código de la Infancia y la Adolescencia.
Key Regulations for Surrogacy in Colombia
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Judicial Authorization Mandate: All surrogacy agreements must receive prior approval from a Colombian family court, ensuring the surrogate’s informed consent and the intended parents’ legal standing. Unapproved contracts are void under Ley 1098 de 2006 (Childhood and Adolescence Code).
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Gestational Surrogacy Only: Commercial surrogacy is prohibited; only altruistic gestational surrogacy is permitted, where the surrogate has no genetic link to the child. This aligns with ICBF Circular 001 de 2023, which enforces genetic testing to verify biological parentage.
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ICBF Oversight and Post-Birth Procedures: The ICBF monitors compliance throughout the process, including mandatory psychological evaluations for all parties. Post-birth, a judicial order transfers parental rights to the intended parents, with the surrogate retaining no legal claims.