Amy and Jonathan Carr-Knox, a couple from Perth, Australia, have found themselves ensnared in a prolonged international surrogacy battle in Argentina, where they have been living for the past year. Their daughter, Sophie, was born via surrogacy in February 2025, but a recent shift in government regulations has complicated the process of legally establishing them as her parents. Their plight has been exacerbated by difficulties in obtaining a birth certificate for Sophie, which has left them trapped in Buenos Aires, away from their home and support network.

The couple is currently engaged in a legal battle that has persisted for 10 months, aiming to add Jonathan's name to their daughter's birth certificate. This administrative hurdle has prevented them from bringing Sophie back to Australia, forcing them to live in temporary accommodations — their 11th Airbnb since her birth — which has added to their feelings of isolation and desperation. The stressful circumstances have taken a significant emotional toll on the family, altering their initial vision of parenthood and raising their daughter among family and friends in Perth.

As they navigate this bureaucratic maze, the Carr-Knox family’s situation underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls of international surrogacy arrangements, particularly as regulations and political situations change. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many couples venturing into surrogacy abroad and highlights the need for clearer legal frameworks to support families in similar circumstances.