Your Complete Guide to the Surrogacy Journey
We handle every detail so you can focus on becoming a parent. Here is exactly what the process looks like — step by step.
What Is Gestational
Surrogacy?
Gestational surrogacy is the process by which a woman — the gestational carrier — carries and delivers a baby for intended parents. The baby is conceived through IVF using the intended parents' embryo (or a donor embryo). The surrogate has no genetic connection to the child she carries.
Gestational surrogacy is used by individuals and couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves. This includes women with uterine conditions or health risks, same-sex male couples, single intended parents, and those who have experienced repeated IVF failures or pregnancy loss.
The United States — and California in particular — has some of the most well-established, surrogate-friendly laws in the world, making it one of the safest places to pursue surrogacy as both an intended parent and as a gestational carrier.
Who Surrogacy Is Right For
Your Surrogacy Journey
Step by Step
A typical surrogacy journey takes 14–18 months from first consultation to birth. Every journey is unique — timelines vary based on matching speed, IVF outcomes, and individual circumstances.
Free Consultation & Program Setup
Your journey begins with a confidential call with our team. We listen to your story, answer every question, and outline which path is right for you. Once you decide to move forward, your dedicated coordinator is assigned and begins building your profile for surrogate matching.
What's included
- One-on-one consultation with a senior coordinator
- Review of your fertility history and goals
- "Dear Surrogate" letter written to introduce you to candidates
- Background check authorization and intake paperwork
- Referrals to trusted reproductive attorneys and fertility clinics
Embryo Creation (if needed)
If you do not already have frozen embryos, this stage involves selecting an egg donor (from our network or a donor bank) and working with your IVF clinic on stimulation, retrieval, and fertilization. If you are using your own eggs or have existing embryos, you move directly to Step 3.
What's included
- Egg donor selection from our global screened network
- Donor medical screening and legal contract with donor
- IVF stimulation and monitoring at your fertility clinic
- Egg retrieval and fertilization
- Embryo genetic testing (PGT-A, optional)
Surrogate Matching
We present you with carefully pre-screened surrogate candidates whose values, lifestyle, and expectations align with yours. You review profiles at your own pace, and when both you and the surrogate feel confident, we schedule an introductory video call. Matching is always mutual — nobody is pressured.
What's included
- Access to profiles of pre-screened, pre-qualified surrogates
- Matching based on personality, legal state, and shared expectations
- Introductory video call with your surrogate candidate
- Support from your coordinator to facilitate the first conversation
- Time to decide — there is never a deadline on matching
Medical Screening & Clinic Coordination
Once a match is made, your surrogate undergoes a full medical evaluation at your IVF clinic. This includes a uterine assessment, blood work, infectious disease testing, and review of her obstetric history. We coordinate all scheduling and communicate directly with your clinic on your behalf.
What's included
- Surrogate travels to your IVF clinic for medical screening
- Uterine cavity assessment (hysteroscopy or mock cycle)
- Comprehensive blood panel and infectious disease screening
- Physician approval to proceed with embryo transfer
- All travel and accommodation costs covered by escrow
Legal Contracts & Escrow
Before any medical procedures begin, all legal agreements must be signed and an escrow account funded. Each party has independent legal representation. The Gestational Surrogacy Agreement establishes parental rights, responsibilities, and compensation terms — protecting everyone involved.
What's included
- Independent reproductive attorney for both parties
- Gestational Surrogacy Agreement drafted and reviewed
- Escrow account established with a trusted third-party administrator
- All surrogate compensation funded into escrow before transfer
- Life and health insurance policies confirmed and in place
Embryo Transfer & Confirmation of Pregnancy
With legal documents signed and escrow funded, your surrogate begins a medication protocol to prepare her uterus for transfer. The embryo transfer itself is a brief, minimally invasive procedure performed at your IVF clinic. Two weeks later, a blood pregnancy test confirms whether the transfer was successful.
What's included
- Surrogate begins uterine lining preparation protocol
- Monitoring at her local clinic with results sent to your IVF physician
- Embryo transfer procedure (typically takes 15–20 minutes)
- Beta HCG blood test approximately 10–14 days post-transfer
- Heartbeat ultrasound at 6–8 weeks to confirm healthy pregnancy
Pregnancy, Monitoring & Parental Rights
After a confirmed pregnancy, your surrogate transitions to care with her own OB/GYN. You stay connected through regular updates, shared ultrasound images, and any appointments you choose to attend. During this period, your attorney files for a pre-birth order establishing you as the legal parent(s) before delivery.
What's included
- Regular check-in calls between your coordinator and your surrogate
- Ultrasound milestones shared with you (8w, 12w, 20w anatomy scan)
- Pre-birth order or parentage judgment filed with the court
- Birth plan discussed and agreed upon by all parties
- Hospital liaison services for delivery day
Birth & Bringing Your Baby Home
Your baby is born. Your name(s) appear on the birth certificate. Your coordinator stays in touch through delivery and your return home. For international intended parents, we assist with passport and visa documentation. And whenever you are ready, we are here to support a sibling journey.
What's included
- Coordinator on call throughout labor and delivery
- Birth certificate with intended parents listed from day one
- Passport and visa support for international families
- Postpartum support for your surrogate
- Sibling journey option with the same surrogate
Every Surrogate Is
Thoroughly Screened
Our CARE (Compassionately Assessed and Remarkably Experienced) program means that by the time you see a surrogate profile, she has already passed a multi-stage screening process. We never present a surrogate candidate who has not cleared every element of our review.
Learn what it takes to become a surrogate- Criminal background check (surrogate and partner)
- Full obstetric and medical history review
- OB/GYN clearance and uterine evaluation
- Psychological evaluation by a licensed mental health professional
- MMPI-2 psychological assessment
- Financial stability and lifestyle assessment
- Home environment review
- Reference interviews from prior deliveries
- Infectious disease testing (FDA-mandated panel)
- Non-smoking and drug-free verification
Protection for
Everyone
California has the strongest surrogacy laws in the United States. Pre-birth orders ensure your name appears on the birth certificate from day one — regardless of whether you used donor eggs, donor sperm, or your own genetic material.
Pre-Birth Orders
A court order establishing your parental rights is obtained before delivery. Your name(s) appear on the birth certificate — no adoption required.
Surrogacy Contracts
Both parties have independent reproductive attorneys. The Gestational Surrogacy Agreement covers compensation, expectations, and medical decisions.
Escrow Protection
All surrogate compensation is held by a neutral third-party escrow administrator and released per the legal agreement — fully transparent and accountable.
Insurance Coordination
We review your surrogate's existing health insurance and, if needed, procure a surrogacy-specific maternity policy before the transfer cycle begins.
International Families
We have extensive experience working with families from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. We coordinate citizenship, passport, and travel documentation.
LGBTQ+ Families
We proudly serve gay couples, lesbian couples, transgender individuals, and single intended parents. Our team has deep experience navigating the specific legal steps for LGBTQ+ families.
Understanding Surrogacy Costs
Total surrogacy costs in the United States typically range from $120,000 to $200,000, depending on surrogate compensation, medical costs, legal fees, and whether egg donation is required. We provide a detailed, itemized cost estimate at your first consultation — no hidden fees.
Covers full-service coordination from match to birth
Base pay + allowances + bonuses per contract
Clinic fees, medications, monitoring, transfer
Contracts, pre-birth order, escrow administration
Varies significantly by existing coverage
Travel, maternity clothing, incidentals
* All figures are estimates. Your coordinator will provide a personalized budget breakdown at your initial consultation.
Surrogacy Questions Answered
How long does the egg donation process take?
What are the requirements to become a surrogate?
How much compensation do surrogates receive?
How are egg donors matched with intended parents?
Ready to Start Your Surrogacy Journey?Your Journey?
Book a free, confidential consultation. We'll walk you through every step, answer every question, and give you a clear picture of costs and timelines.
Confidential consultations available · +1 (888) 360-9887