For Damian and Pasan Fernando, becoming parents was a dream they had pursued for years.
The couple from St Albans, Hertfordshire, had longed to start a family, but their journey to parenthood took an unexpected turn when they found themselves stuck in Cyprus, unable to bring their newborn twins home due to a passport delay.
The Struggle to Find a Surrogate
Damian, 33, and Pasan, 36, had been exploring surrogacy for six years, initially hoping to find a surrogate in the UK.
However, due to strict surrogacy laws requiring surrogates to initiate contact with intended parents, they faced repeated setbacks.
They joined support groups, attended social events, and even maintained an online journal to attract potential surrogates, but their search yielded no results.
In 2023, they decided to explore international options and were recommended the World Center of Baby, a surrogacy agency in Cyprus.
After extensive research, they reached out to the agency in October of that year.
Choosing the Right Path
By December 2023, Damian and Pasan traveled to Cyprus to begin the process.
They opted to use Pasan’s sperm and selected an egg donor with features similar to Damian’s.
The fertilization process was successful, and by April 2024, they received the joyous news that their surrogate was expecting twins.
Throughout the pregnancy, the couple chose to have minimal contact with their surrogate, relying instead on regular scan updates from the clinic.
As the due date approached, they flew to Cyprus on New Year’s Eve, eagerly awaiting the birth of their babies.
A Magical Birth Followed by Unexpected Challenges
On January 3, 2025, their son, River, and daughter, Liko, were born via a scheduled C-section.
The couple experienced an emotional whirlwind as they met their babies for the first time.
“It was a magical moment,” Damian recalled. “Liko looks like Pasan, and River looks a lot like me.”
Despite the initial excitement, their joy was soon overshadowed by bureaucratic hurdles.
Determined to return to the UK quickly, they had already arranged legal assistance and gathered all the necessary documents for their twins’ passports.
However, their applications, submitted on January 13, faced repeated delays due to administrative errors.
Passport Delays and Mounting Frustration
On January 21, they received confirmation that their applications had been received.
But by January 31, they were asked to resubmit due to confusion over the passport delivery address.
They quickly reapplied the same day, only to be told that some of their documents had been misplaced.
Since then, it has been a frustrating cycle of phone calls, miscommunications, and lost paperwork.
“Every single day, it’s something new,” Damian said. “We call them daily, but we keep getting different answers.”
The couple has been forced to move between three different Airbnbs while waiting for a resolution, adding to their already hefty expenses.
On top of the £70,000 spent on surrogacy, they have also spent £15,000 on legal fees and travel.
Uncertain Future and a Plea for Change
With no clear timeline for their passport approvals, Damian is worried he may have to take unpaid leave from his teaching job. “This has become a financial strain,” he admitted.
“We were warned to expect delays, but we never imagined it would be this bad.”
Despite the ongoing ordeal, Damian and Pasan remain hopeful.
They want their story to serve as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration for others considering surrogacy.
“There are scams out there, so be vigilant,” Pasan advised. “But don’t give up. We are proof that parenthood is possible.”
The Home Office has yet to comment on the couple’s situation, leaving them in limbo as they wait for the day they can finally bring their babies home.