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Surrogacy Process in Mumbai

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A legally supervised, step-by-step pathway

Surrogacy in Mumbai follows a clearly defined legal and medical process under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021. Each stage is designed to ensure ethical, altruistic practice, with legal protection, and safety for all parties involved.

Important: We only take on cases which we believe will be cleared by the DMB. Those cases that may not be cleared – we offer suggestions on how to improve the chances of successful approval before embarking on the legal process.

Stats table (Number of couples, whose)

  • Form 12 received: 101
  • Form 17 received: 101
  • Deliveries: 21
  • Files rejected: 1
  • 1. Eligibility Assessment as per Indian Law
  • Assessment under Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021
  • Confirmation of medical indication for surrogacy
  • Documentation guidance (on both personal and medical level)
  • Transparent explanation of what is legally permitted and what is not
  • 2. First Consultation & Medical Evaluation
  • Detailed review of medical history of intended parent(s)
  • Understanding why surrogacy is recommended
  • Review of previous IVF / pregnancy outcomes, if any
  • Explanation of realistic success rates and timelines
  • One-to-one discussion with fertility specialist and counsellor
  • 3. Filling the Surrogacy Application
  • Intended parent(s) submit the initial surrogacy application
  • Basic personal, marital, and medical details are documented
  • Guidance is provided to ensure the application is complete and compliant
  • 4. Submission at the Local Ward Office (Municipal Jurisdiction)
  • Intended parent(s) visit their respective municipal ward office
    • Mumbai is divided into multiple wards, similar to districts, based on residential address
  • The following documents are submitted:
    • Age proof
    • Marital status proof
    • Proof of having no surviving child (where applicable)
    • Medical records supporting the need for surrogacy

Important:
 Each ward has its own prescribed formats. Documents must be submitted exactly as required by that ward.

  • 5. Review by the Appropriate Authority (AA)
  • Each ward has an Appropriate Authority (AA), typically the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in Mumbai
  • Two complete sets of documents are submitted:
    • Personal documents
    • Medical documents
  • The AA verifies eligibility and compliance under the Surrogacy Act

Outcome:
 If satisfied, Form 17 – Intended Parents Eligibility Certificate is issued.

  • 6. District Medical Board (DMB) Review – Mumbai
  • After Form 17 is issued, the file is forwarded to the District Medical Board (DMB)
  • The DMB in Mumbai functions centrally (F South jurisdiction) for all wards of Mumbai
  • Meetings are generally held once a month
  • Files are reviewed jointly by:
    • District Medical Board members
    • Medical Officers of Health (MOHs) from various wards
  • Original documents must be produced at the time of review

Outcome:

  • The file may be:
    • Approved
    • Returned with queries or requests for additional documentation
  • 7. Issuance of Medical Indication Certificate (Form 12)
  • If the DMB is satisfied, Form 12 – Certificate of Medical Indication is issued
  • This confirms that surrogacy is medically indicated for the intended parent(s)

  • This is a critical legal milestone in the surrogacy process

  • 8. Identification and Evaluation of the Surrogate Mother
  • Once Form 12 is received, the surrogate mother’s eligibility process begins
  • This includes:
    • Blood tests
    • Ultrasound scans
    • Advanced medical fitness assessments
    • Psychological and general health evaluation
  • Legal verification by a lawyer to confirm:
    • Age eligibility
    • Ever-married status
    • Child status
    • Compliance with the one-time surrogacy rule
  • 9. Surrogate Mother Eligibility Approval (Form 17B)
  • All surrogate-related medical and legal documents are compiled
  • The file is submitted to the appropriate authority of your ward officer for approval
  • Upon approval, Form 17B – Surrogate Mother Eligibility Certificate is issued

This confirms the surrogate mother’s legal eligibility

  • 10. Court Process & Parental Order
  • After Form 17B, legal affidavits are prepared
  • An application is filed in the Magistrate Court
  • Intended parent(s) and the surrogate mother appear before the judge
  • The court verifies and records that:
    • The surrogacy is altruistic
    • There is no coercion or financial inducement
    • All parties are acting voluntarily
  • 11. Issuance of Court / Parental Order
  • The Magistrate Court issues the parental order confirming:
    • The child born will legally belong to the intended parent(s)
    • The surrogate mother will have no parental rights
  • This order acts as the birth affidavit for:
    • Issuance of the birth certificate, post delivery
    • Recording the intended parent(s) as parents
  • 12. Essentiality Certificate (Form 11)
  • After receiving the court order, the complete file is resubmitted
  • Upon verification, Form 11 – Essentiality Certificate is issued
  • This certificate legally authorises the commencement of the surrogacy treatment
  • 13. When Can Embryo transfer to the surrogate Begin?

Only after all the following certificates are in place:

  • Form 17 – Intended Parents Eligibility Certificate
  • Form 12 – Medical Indication Certificate
  • Form 17B – Surrogate Mother Eligibility Certificate
  • Form 11 – Essentiality Certificate

Only then can the clinic legally start the IVF programme and perform embryo transfer to the surrogate mother.

  • 14. How Zoi Fertility Supports You Through This Process
  • 100% assistance in preparing and filing applications
  • End-to-end documentation and compliance support
  • Coordination with ward offices, District Medical Board, and legal teams
  • Case-by-case tracking of approvals and timelines
  • Transparent communication at every stage
  • Ethical, compliant, and patient-first approach
  • 11. Issuance of Court / Parental Order
  • The Magistrate Court issues the parental order confirming:
    • The child born will legally belong to the intended parent(s)
    • The surrogate mother will have no parental rights
  • This order acts as the birth affidavit for:
    • Issuance of the birth certificate, post delivery
    • Recording the intended parent(s) as parents
  • 12. Essentiality Certificate (Form 11)
  • After receiving the court order, the complete file is resubmitted
  • Upon verification, Form 11 – Essentiality Certificate is issued
  • This certificate legally authorises the commencement of the surrogacy treatment
  • 13. When Can Embryo transfer to the surrogate Begin?

Only after all the following certificates are in place:

  • Form 17 – Intended Parents Eligibility Certificate
  • Form 12 – Medical Indication Certificate
  • Form 17B – Surrogate Mother Eligibility Certificate
  • Form 11 – Essentiality Certificate

Only then can the clinic legally start the IVF programme and perform embryo transfer to the surrogate mother.

  • 14. How Zoi Fertility Supports You Through This Process
  • 100% assistance in preparing and filing applications
  • End-to-end documentation and compliance support
  • Coordination with ward offices, District Medical Board, and legal teams
  • Case-by-case tracking of approvals and timelines
  • Transparent communication at every stage
  • Ethical, compliant, and patient-first approach

How to take care of surrogate mother

The Best Antenatal Care

Pre pregnancy health

We suggest to keep surrogates admitted at any clinic for minimum 15 day, to avoid any physical exertion, and to avoid relationship with their husband till the beta (bHCG) test is performed to confirm the pregnancy status. Once surrogate is pregnant extend her stay further by 15 days, till the number of sacs and cardiac activity is established.
Frequent Ultrasound Sonographies
In the initial weeks, scans to be done on a weekly basis to rule out any early pregnancy concerns. In second trimester, scans to be done fortnightly, including Malformation / Anomaly scans. Again in third trimester, the scans are performed more frequently.
Routine Investigations
Perform all routine blood tests, including systemic tests like thyroid, diabetes, renal function, liver function test and Infectious screening for both surrogate and her husband.
Genetic Screening
To rule out chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus, to do, double maker NFT scan at 12 weeks, and malformation scan at 19 weeks.
Obstetric Visits
Monitors her BP, pulse, weight, routine obstetric check, and advise for further management. To continue iron, calcium, vitamins, minerals, protein biscuits and protein powder.
Planning Delivery
The date is always planned with parents consent to make sure they are present at the time of delivery to experience most beautiful movement of their life, unless in cases of emergency.
Information Sharing
All the above mentioned reports and information will be sent electronically to you on regular basis. This is how you keep in touch with your baby, baby’s growth and surrogate health.

Why Zoi Fertility

  • Presently the largest number of cases handled in Mumbai and Maharashtra.
  • Dedicated surrogacy team
  • 101+ surrogacy approvals successfully processed
  • Assistance with legal team and documentation process
  • Approximately 99% of our files cleared in the first District Medical Board meeting
  • Ability to connect you with patients who have undergone altruistic surrogacy
  • Complete hand-holding and support from first consultation, approvals, and final delivery

Pre pregnancy
health

We suggest to keep surrogates admitted at any clinic for minimum 15 day, to avoid any physical exertion, and to avoid relationship with their husband till the beta (bHCG) test is performed to confirm the pregnancy status. Once surrogate is pregnant extend her stay further by 15 days, till the number of sacs and cardiac activity is established.

Frequent Ultrasound Sonographies

In the initial weeks, scans to be done on a weekly basis to rule out any early pregnancy concerns. In second trimester, scans to be done fortnightly, including Malformation / Anomaly scans. Again in third trimester, the scans are performed more frequently.

Routine
Investigations

Perform all routine blood tests, including systemic tests like thyroid, diabetes, renal function, liver function test and Infectious screening for both surrogate and her husband.

Genetic
Screening

To rule out chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus, to do, double maker NFT scan at 12 weeks, and malformation scan at 19 weeks.

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