If you're searching for "Surrogate nationality in Georgia","Georgia Surrogate Repatriation Document", "travel permit how to do", most likely not want to read a long chicken soup - you just want to confirm one thing: the baby born in Georgia surrogacy, in the end is considered which country? Can I successfully apply for a travel permit, carry my baby back to my country, and can I get a household registration back in my country?
I'll put the conclusion at the top first to save you time and anxiety:
Don't be fooled again by "a Georgian is a Georgian".Babies born from Georgian surrogacy are not given Georgian citizenship, and the core depends on the status of the parents;The key to deciding whether or not you can return to China on the Chinese side is what you have in your hand"document chain"There is no closing the loop.
All the actions behind you center around four sentences:
- Georgia:The principle of descent, not the American one."Place of birth automatically gives nationality".
- Chinese nationality:Looking at article 5 of the Nationality Code, the focus is on "whether the parents have settled abroad".
- Repatriation documents:Most families go on "travel permits".
- Biggest Ray:Inconsistent spelling of name + foreign passport first + wrong parent field on birth certificate (these three will snap the chain of documents right off).
The three most common paths
Every family is different, so don't follow others blindly. I'm going to give you three "path cards" for you to follow.
Surrogacy in Georgia: The 5 Most Important Things You Should Prepare First
Don't wait until you get to Tbilisi to realize that you don't have this or that. Take out your memo and check these 5 things first:
- consistency in the spelling of names Passport pinyin, marriage certificate translation, hospital contract, birth certificate - don't miss a single letter. "Zhang San / Zhangsan / Zhang-San" is three people in many systems.
- Pre-organization of birth registration materials Passport, notarized/certified copy of marriage certificate (as required by your location), important contracts and payment vouchers (electronic backup is recommended).
- DNA Identification Advance Appointment Whether or not DNA is required, it is common in practice to be asked for a parent-child relationship closure (especially for special family combinations). Ask in advance about the available organizations, scheduling, and report time.
- Apostille (The Hague) + Translation budget Mainland China since November 7, 2023, the implementation of the Hague Convention on Authentication, many documents no longer go through the old set of "layers of consular authentication", but Apostille and translation still cost money, but also queuing.
- Call the police station in the country where you settled in advance Just say, "I gave birth to a child abroad and returned to my home country with a traveler's permit, and I want to settle in my home country, what documents do I need? Is there a designated organization for translating foreign birth certificates? Is the foreign DNA report recognized?" The answer to the same sentence may be completely different in different cities and different windows.
Core Legal Cornerstone: to which country do Georgian surrogate babies really belong?
I know you're probably still searching right now:"Legitimacy of surrogacy in Georgia""Baby nationality"" "will return to the country will not be black". The more you read about it, the more you panic. Let's not listen to the noise, directly look at two "things that matter":
1. Refuting "citizenship by landing": how the Georgian side's principle is understood
Georgia is not a country that gives citizenship by birth. More critically: under the "normative framework of surrogacy", birth registrations and birth certificates usually reflect the intended/biological parents as the legal parents, not the biological parents.surrogacyThe
This is one of the key reasons why many families choose Georgia: you don't have to go through the long process of running to the court for the confirmation of parental rights, as in some countries, and rely more on the completeness of the registration materials and the legal path (provided that the program you choose is compliant and well-documented).
2. Determination of Chinese nationality: a look at article 5 of the Nationality Law
Chinese Nationality Determination, Core LookArticle 5 of the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China(a) If one or both parents are Chinese citizens, the child generally has Chinese nationality; however, if the parents have "settled abroad" and the child acquires a foreign nationality at birth, the child does not have Chinese nationality.
The term "residing abroad" is the most misunderstood by many families. Academically and practically, it is usually understood in relation to factors such as permanent/long-term residence status, actual long-term residence, and stability of status, rather than "I lived abroad for a few months and that's it".
3. The role of birth certificates
Many parents get a birth certificate and stuff it in their bag as a souvenir - don't do it. It is a "starting point" in the chain, but it is not proof of nationality.
| file | What does it prove? | It doesn't prove anything. | What is the main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgian birth certificate | Facts of the child's birth; legal presentation of parental information (depending on registration materials and programs) | No direct proof of the child's nationality; not a substitute for a travel permit | Core materials for travel permit applications; exit inspection; return settlement (in conjunction with translations) |
| The Hague Certification | Authenticity of documents may be recognized by member States of the Convention | Not "content endorsement", just certification of document authenticity | Domestic settlement material chain; partial window review |
| DNA Report | Strong evidence of paternity | Not a substitute for a birth certificate/travel certificate | Reinforcement in the event of a travel permit review/settlement dispute |
Which situation does your family fall into: Nationality and Documentation Path Decision Tree
30 Second Decision Tree
Core cross-reference table (it is recommended that you only take a screenshot of this one in its entirety)
| Family situation | Recommended Documentation Path | "Special materials" in addition to the usual ones | Risk Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married parents (both Chinese nationals, no permanent residence) | Travel permits (most secure) | Notarized/translated marriage certificate (as required) | The biggest risk is name/document number discrepancies |
| Single men (single parent) | Travel certificates (mostly) | Single statement/guardianship declaration, etc. (depending on window requirements) | The difficulty lies in the "closed loop of parenthood" and the logic of interpretation of the material. |
| unmarried couple (unlicensed) | Mostly treated as "born out of wedlock" | Description of relationship/guardianship arrangements, etc. | It is recommended to get a license if possible to save the cost of explanation |
| transnational couple (one Chinese and one foreign) | Depending on the target: Chinese nationals/foreigners wanted | Foreign party documents, path statements, etc. | Set your goals first. Don't run both ways at the same time. |
| One party arrives to pick up the baby | Travel permits (feasible but more difficult) | Power of attorney/consent document of the absent party (as required) | This category is most likely to get stuck in the "authorization chain", don't delay until the end! |
China: How to choose between Travel Permit vs Passport
List of Embassy materials
Don't copy the "cold list" from the official website, I'll give you a bagged version that is "closer to the logic of window review":
- ID photo of newborn with white background (at required size)
- "China Consular App Online form + confirmation page (on request)
- Parents' original passports + photocopies
- Original birth certificate (Apostille and translation recommended)
- Documents related to marriage certificate (commonly requested for married families)
- If requested: original/copy of DNA report
- On-site signature type statement (as required by the window)
Tip:It is recommended to have 2 extra copies of all photocopies; ID number and name spelling you mark on the photocopies first with a highlighter pen, so that checking at the window is faster.
Paternity testing (DNA): when to do it and how not to delay it
If your family falls into the category of "easily called upon to strengthen the parent-child relationship" (single, multinational, complex chain of materials), DNA tends to make the chain more stable.
- Make an appointment for sampling as early as possible after birth
- Don't wait for the report waiting period:Simultaneous advancement of translation, Apostille, APP data preparation
- Expedite if you can:The cost of an extra day of your stay in a foreign country is usually much higher than the expediting fee
Georgian side: birth registration and how to get a birth certificate
High-risk point: signature/submission sequence
Georgia holidays and window rhythms can affect your overall time spent. The most stable strategy is:
- Get all hospital documents as soon as possible after birth
- Move forward with official birth certificates as soon as possible
- Translate the birth certificate as soon as it arrives with Apostille.
- Simultaneous DNA appointment (if required) and travel document preparation
Legalization of documents: Apostille / Translation / Power of Attorney
Name spelling consistency: the most common case of rollover
I'm not afraid of your formalities, I'm afraid of your spelling mess. Here are three of the most common ones for you:
- Polyphonic cartwheels:Passport pinyin is "LE", but the translation is written as "YUE".
- Middle name omitted:Foreigner's passport has Middle Name, but registration/translation is missing.
- Spaces/hyphens:Li Anna / Lianna / Li-Anna mixed use
"Packet" three-bag method (straight out of the box)
Get three zippered pouches and separate them by scene to lose 80% less stuff:
Full process backward timeline: 45 days from expected date of delivery
A lot of anxiety comes from "not knowing what to do when". I'll give you the surest way to think about it: work backwards, centering on the T-day of your due date.
timeline
| time interval | Key actions | Who runs the errands? | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| T+0 | The birth of a child, stabilize your emotions first | father and mother | Take care of the baby first, don't run formalities right away. |
| T+1 ~ 3 | Taking hospital documents, promoting birth registration | Lawyer/translator/parent | First round of checking the spelling of names |
| T+3 ~ 7 | Translation of birth certificates upon arrival + Apostille | Translator/intermediary | Don't delay this step. The more you delay, the more passive you'll be. |
| synchronize | Booking/sampling DNA (if required) | Parents/institutions | Report waiting period to do APP material |
| T+10 ~ 20 | APP Application, Interview/Replacement | father and mother | Focus on "closing the documentation chain" |
| T+20 ~ 40 | Pick up your travel pass and book your return trip | father and mother | Give yourself leeway, don't press for a minimum number of days |
Recommendation:Don't push yourself by booking, it's safer to leave about 40 days in advance.
Returning to your home country to settle down: what the police station really looks for
Common Snagging Points and Communication Tactics
- Snag 1: Doubtful paternity You then take out the DNA (if any) or be prepared to redo the forensic test in the country as required. Don't bar, go with the flow.
- Point 2: How to settle in a household if born out of wedlock/single parent Don't scare yourself yet. A lot of places can fall, but may require a statement of circumstances/custody statement, etc. The core remains the same: closed chain of materials and consistent information.
How do you find out in advance about the differences between places
📞 You ask three questions accordingly:
- Translation of foreign birth certificates: must I appoint a translation company?
- Foreign DNA report: Is it recognized? If not, do I have to redo it domestically?
- Single parent/ born out of wedlock: is there a fixed template or additional materials?
2025 Policy Winds and Risk Alerts
Rumors of a "ban on surrogacy for foreigners":There has indeed been open discussion over the past few years. My attitude is: don't panic and don't delay. The more you delay, the more variables there will be, and the sooner you get your "document chain closure capability" in place, the more resilient you will be to risk.
Attorney/Agency Selection Criteria:The best thing you can ask is, "What are the boundaries of your support in the event that there is a need for additional documentation/an explanation of paternity/chain-of-authority documents?" If the person just says "no problem" but can't give you a checklist and flowchart, you need to be wary.
