Whether your baby has been born in England or Wales, or abroad, you will need to transfer legal parenthood in this country after the baby is born.
In some countries, legal parenthood is already given to an intended parent before birth, but you will still need to obtain legal parenthood when you get back home to the UK.
In England and Wales, as the law stands, it is not possible to re-assign legal parenthood until after the baby is born.
This is done by a special order, called a Parental Order.
A Parental Order has the effect of bringing to an end the legal parenthood and parental responsibility of the surrogate (and if applicable, her spouse or civil partner), and granting legal parenthood and parental responsibility on the intended parent or parents.