UK surrogacy reform push led by British couple faces parliamentary hurdles

British couple Adam Frisby and Jamie Corbett are campaigning for surrogacy law reform in the United Kingdom after facing significant legal and administrative hurdles. The couple, who welcomed their daughter Leven via an American surrogate and an egg donor in January, discovered they are not recognized as her legal guardians under current British law.

Under existing regulations, the surrogate remains the child’s legal parent until a formal parental order is approved, a process that can take up to 12 months and requires extensive documentation. This legal status has caused practical difficulties, including challenges when attempting to enroll the child in the National Health Service (NHS), where medical staff reportedly struggled to register the family structure on official systems.

The couple recently brought their concerns to the House of Commons through a petition. However, they expressed disappointment following a parliamentary debate, stating they felt their push for reform was reduced to a discussion regarding “wealthy men exploiting women.”