The Surrogacy Guide
The U.S. is the international gold standard for surrogacy, and it has the most advanced IVF clinics worldwide. The U.S. is expensive, but the higher price tag comes with many conveniences and assurances.
The SENSIBLE Agency recommends surrogacy programs in the United States for couples with the available resources. There are many reasons why…
Success rates among U.S. fertility clinics are the best worldwide. Birth certificates are automatically issued with the name of the intended parents. And children born via surrogacy agreements in the U.S. are entitled to American citizenship.
Local American surrogates are the product of the world’s most advanced medical system. The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. as #138 in its rankings of countries by incidence of Low Birth Weight deliveries and #173 in infant mortality rates. In short, the United States is a great place to be pregnant and deliver a healthy baby.
Pregnancy rates for the specialized “surrogacy clinics” is likewise excellent. About 75% of embryo transfers result in a pregnancy when donor eggs are used. That is higher than in most overseas clinics (which range between 55% and 65% depending on the country).
Perhaps even more importantly, fertility clinics are required by law to report the results of their IVF and embryo transfer procedures. The U.S. Center for Disease Control reports on which clinics have the best success rates. Intended parents can review the success rates of various clinics to help choose the most reliable program. The most recent clinic rankings can be viewed here.
Typical surrogacy programs in the United States cost more than $180,000 USD but can be as low as $130,000 (without IVF). While some overseas clinics offer “guarantee” programs with unlimited IVF and embryo transfers, U.S. surrogacy journeys are more likely to be successful with just one or two transfers. General information about the costs of surrogacy are available in the SENSIBLE Surrogacy Guide.
The U.S. is the gold standard of surrogacy destinations. A typical U.S. program is around $130,000 (not including IVF). While more expensive than other countries, U.S. programs come with many conveniences and assurances.
SENSIBLE has been offering surrogacy services in the United States since 2012. We provide lower-cost, full-service, boutique surrogacy programs that are accessible to ordinary families.
SENSIBLE’s world-class team will manage every step and every task of your journey. Our experienced consultants are leaders in the field with decades of experience. We perform all the daunting tasks — from planning your IVF cycle, surrogate matching, managing escrow and finances, and oversight of your surrogate throughout the pregnancy.
SENSIBLE’s agency fee covers surrogate matching, the surrogate’s medical/legal/psych clearance, coordination of clinic procedures, complete management of the pregnancy and delivery. Our experienced team will manage every aspect of the surrogacy journey.
SENSIBLE agency fees are paid in three installments:
Total Agency Fees | $30,000.00 |
| Installment 1: Retainer Fee | Payable when you request a surrogate |
| Installment 2: Surrogate Matching Fee | Payable when your surrogate has been introduced and confirmed |
| Installment 3: Final Clearance Fee | Payable upon medical clearance of your surrogate |
Agency Fees cover the cost of finding your surrogate, ensuring she’s medically and legally qualified, and caring for her throughout the pregnancy. We will not only make sur your surrogate is looked after, but we’ll manage her compensation and the finances of the entire pregnancy.
In addition to agency fees, there are other medical and legal expenses. Together with the agency fee, these comprise your entire surrogacy budget. To keep costs low, these fees are paid only if/when needed. And you pay them directly to the service provider, to avoid any markups or referral fees.
The following budget describes a “typical” surrogacy journey in the United States, including SENSIBLE’s agency fees and fees of 3rd party providers. Third-party fees are estimated only, and they will vary depending on the vendor you select.
Total Estimated Budget | $145,500 up to $180,000 |
Agency Fees | $30,000 |
Surrogate Matching Expenses | $2,500 to $3,000 |
Clinical Procedures | $30,000 to $35,000 |
Legal Fees | $7,500 to $8,000 |
Surrogate Compensation | $55,000 to $65,000 |
Additional Compensation for Your Surrogate | $10,000 to $20,000 |
Surrogate Insurance | $10,000+ |
Surrogacy Prenatal Care and Delivery | $3,000 to $4,000 |
The fee shown in the above table assumes purchase of medical insurance through the ObamaCare marketplace. You should read the article in the Guide about medical insurance for your US surrogate. ObamaCare open enrollment is available from November through January annually. If Insurance is bought outside of open enrollment, policy premiums may be $10,000 to $15,000 higher, depending on the duration of the policy.
Understanding your full surrogacy budget is essential before starting your journey. As you weigh your options, check out this article on the Cost of Surrogacy in the Surrogacy Guide.
For couples who are turned off by the high cost of surrogacy in the United States, there is a short list of worldwide destinations with similar benefits but shorter match times. These are the most legally secure alternatives to American surrogacy worldwide.
Surrogacy in Colombia is gaining popularity, especially among LGBT couples and single parents looking to grow their families. This trend is driven by Colombia’s supportive legal framework, low fees and excellent national health service. The country supports this with marriage equality and LGBT+ adoption rights, demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity. Cost of Surrogacy in Colombia: $65,000 to $75,000, including “Guarantee” programs.
Surrogacy in Mexico substantially changed in late 2021 when the Supreme Court declared it a protected medical procedure. As a result, not only is surrogacy legal and supported in most Mexican states, but the intended parents can often be listed on the birth certificate of their surrogacy babies immediately upon the birth. Cost of surrogacy in Mexico: $75,000 with your existing embryos, to $85,000 with IVF.
Surrogacy in the United States remains unregulated at the federal level, with each individual state having its own laws (or court precedent). The individual state laws vary widely even between states that are considered “surrogacy friendly”. For example, some states allow for surrogacy only for heterosexual couples, while others will allow married couples but not singles.
Intended parents should only consider surrogacy programs in “surrogacy friendly” states that have a supportive legal framework. Such states are listed below. A surrogacy friendly legal framework includes these separate court proceedings:
Surrogacy in the United States is regulated differently in each state. Some states are known for being very supportive of surrogacy, with laws that protect both compensated and uncompensated agreements. On the other hand, some states have strict restrictions or even bans on surrogacy. It is important for intended parents to understand these differences in order to have a smooth journey to becoming parents.
These states are considered the most surrogacy-friendly, offering a secure legal environment for intended parents and surrogates alike. Gestational surrogacy is explicitly permitted by statute and/or well-established case law, often encompassing diverse family structures including single individuals, same-sex couples, and unmarried partners.
A key feature of these states is the issuance of pre-birth parentage orders, which establish the legal parentage of the intended parents before the child’s birth, regardless of their genetic connection to the child. Furthermore, these states generally ensure that the intended parents are named directly on the birth certificate, simplifying the process of establishing parental rights. (While traditional surrogacy may also be permitted in some of these states, the legal processes and availability of pre-birth orders might differ.)
These jurisdictions offer clarity and legal security for all parties involved in surrogacy arrangements.
California expressly permits surrogacy arrangements and is considered highly surrogacy-friendly with extensive statutory and case law. Pre-birth and post-birth parentage orders are permitted regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gamete source. Post-birth adoptions (second-parent for unmarried, stepparent for married) are available if a parentage order isn’t obtained. Gestational surrogacy is permitted by statute and backed by supportive case law. Traditional surrogacy is permitted as it is not prohibited. Courts grant pre-birth orders, effective at birth. California is the most surrogacy-friendly state for all individuals and couples. IMA ART is located in California.
Gestational surrogacy is expressly permitted by statute (Colorado Revised Statutes, §19-4.5-101 et. seq.), with clear requirements and enforcement. Pre-birth parentage orders are issued regardless of genetic relationship or the intended parent(s)’ status (single, couple, married, unmarried, same-sex, heterosexual), provided statutory requirements are met. Courts may determine parentage based on intent if requirements aren’t met. Second-parent and stepparent adoptions are permitted but usually unnecessary. The Colorado Surrogacy Agreement Act of 2021 legally protects surrogacy, and agreements are enforceable.
The Connecticut Parentage Act (2022) permits gestational surrogacy and sets requirements for agreements and parentage judgments. Following a 2011 Supreme Court decision, non-biological parents can be listed on birth certificates, now codified in the Parentage Act. Jurisdiction for parentage judgments is with the Probate Court. Pre-birth parentage orders are granted regardless of intended parent(s)’ status (single, couple, married, unmarried, heterosexual, same-sex) and genetic relationship, provided statutory requirements are met. The Act also includes legal processes for traditional surrogacy. Second-parent and stepparent (confirmatory) adoptions are allowed for residents. Traditional surrogacy is permitted as no law prohibits it, but pre-birth orders are not granted, and the surrogate must terminate the biological father’s rights post-birth.
Gestational surrogacy is expressly permitted by statute (Delaware Code § 8-801 through 8-810, effective 2013) with clear requirements. Pre-birth parentage orders are commonly granted and available to any intended parent, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or genetic relationship. Same-sex intended parents are treated equally. If a parentage order cannot be obtained (e.g., surrogate resides in a non-permissive state), second-parent and stepparent adoptions are allowed. Gestational surrogacy is permitted if the carrier is “not a parent”. Pre-birth orders are granted but not enforced until birth. The legality of traditional surrogacy is unclear.
Surrogacy is permitted under a 2016 statute encompassing all types of surrogacy (Code of the District of Columbia, Chapter 4, Section 16 – 401-412). There’s a specific legal process for parentage recognition in gestational versus traditional surrogacy. It is more efficient to obtain a DC Order of Parentage than to domesticate an out-of-state order, though the latter is possible. To use the DC statute, one party must reside there, or the birth must occur there. Courts grant pre-birth parentage orders in gestational surrogacy. The pre-birth order is not effective until after birth. Traditional surrogacy is also permitted, but parentage orders cannot be issued until at least 48 hours after birth. Compensation of gestational carriers and enforcement of agreements are permitted if requirements are met.
Gestational surrogacy is now expressly permitted by statute (Idaho Code 7-1601 et seq.). The law allows for recognition of gestational agreements meeting statutory requirements and validated by the court before or within 7 days of birth. After validation (Pre-Birth Order) and birth, a notice is filed, and the court issues a final order of parentage declaring the intended parent(s) (one or two, regardless of biological connection or marital status) as legal parents, ordering a birth certificate with their names. This eliminates the need for adoption or parentage in the parents’ home state/country for birth certificate recognition. Previously, pre-birth orders were not allowed, and non-genetic parents needed to adopt.
The Maine Parentage Act (Title 19A Chapter 61, effective July 1, 2016) permits surrogacy, and pre-birth parentage orders can be readily obtained in nearly all gestational surrogacy situations, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or genetic connection. Clear requirements exist for gestational surrogacy arrangements and eligibility for carriers and intended parents. Either the intended parent(s) or the surrogate can file for a pre-birth order, and a brief hearing is always held. Maine Vital Records does not honor out-of-state birth orders. Traditional surrogacy is permitted if the surrogate contracts with a family member; otherwise, formal adoption is needed.
While no statutes permit surrogacy, case law recognizes “intentional parenting,” and the Massachusetts Supreme Court has authority to establish parentage in gestational surrogacy pre-birth (Partanen v. Gallagher, 2016; Culliton v. Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ct., 2001; Adoption of a Minor, 2015). Pre-birth orders, post-birth orders, or both can be obtained for intended parents regardless of marital status or biological connection. Traditional surrogacy agreements are unenforceable and must comply with adoption statutes. A traditional surrogate must wait four days post-birth to relinquish rights, and adoption is required if the intended father is not biologically related.
Michigan’s Surrogate Parenting Act (MCL Section 722.851) declares surrogacy contracts void and unenforceable as against public policy. However, courts may grant pre-birth orders if no payment or compensation was made to the surrogate. Post-birth adoptions are permitted by single persons or married couples, but second-parent adoptions are not allowed. In 2024, the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act was passed (effective 90 days after legislative adjournment, scheduled for Dec 31, 2024), expressly permitting surrogacy agreements if statutory requirements are met (at least one MI resident, all parties with MI-licensed attorneys). Genetic connection is not required. The statute states intended parents are legal parents by law, and a parentage judgment action can be commenced before, on, or after birth. Compensated surrogacy contracts are subject to criminal penalties under the current law. Pre-birth orders are only granted in “compassionate” cases with a genetic link, marriage, and legal representation for all.
N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. 168-B expressly permits gestational surrogacy. Pre-birth parentage orders can be readily obtained by any intended parent, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or genetic connection. Clear requirements exist for gestational surrogacy arrangements and eligibility. Pre- and post-birth orders are typically granted on pleadings alone. New Hampshire sometimes honors out-of-state birth orders. Traditional surrogacy is permitted, but pre-birth orders are not available.
Gestational surrogacy is expressly permitted under the New Jersey Gestational Carrier Agreement Act of 2018. Prior to the Act, compensated surrogacy was prohibited and unenforceable. Now, pre-birth parentage orders can be readily obtained by any intended parent, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or genetic relationship. The Act is codified as N.J.S.A 9:17-65 et seq. and defines gamete donors as non-legal parents with no rights or duties. The law specifically excludes traditional surrogacy, but it is permitted if uncompensated and without a pre-birth agreement to surrender the child, requiring post-birth adoption. Surrogates receive no base payment but can be compensated for reasonable expenses.
Nev. Revised Statutes 126.500-126.810 expressly permits gestational surrogacy. Pre-birth parentage orders can be readily obtained by any intended parent, whether married or unmarried, heterosexual or same-sex, individual, and even if neither is genetically related. Traditional surrogacy is not included in the statute and is legally risky. Nevada’s revised law favors surrogacy, licensing pre- and post-birth orders for all intended parents.
Pennsylvania has no specific statutes or case law permitting or prohibiting surrogacy, but unpublished case law permits it (J.F. v. D.B., 2006; Whitewood v. Wolf, 2014). Most counties will grant a pre-birth order, but requirements for submission or hearing vary by county and judge. Post-birth adoptions (stepparent or second-parent) are also available. Pre-birth order results vary by county and facts, especially with donors involved. Non-compensated traditional surrogacy is permitted, but pre-birth orders are not granted because the surrogate cannot terminate her rights until 72 hours after birth.
The Vermont Parentage Act (Title 15c, V.S.A. stat. 801-809) permits parentage via gestational carrier and requires a gestational carrier agreement. Pre- or post-birth parentage orders can be obtained by married or unmarried intended parents, heterosexual or same-sex, individual, even without genetic connection, by commencing proceedings in the Probate Division of the Superior Court. Traditional surrogacy is permitted as it is not prohibited but is treated like adoption as it’s not under the Parentage Act. Couples or individuals should establish a Gestational Carrier Agreement before conception to be legally recognized as intended parents.
RCW 26.26.A permits compensated gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy arrangements meeting statutory frameworks. Under the amended Act, pre-birth parentage orders are now available in gestational surrogacy to any intended parent regardless of marital status, genetic connection, or sexual orientation, if the gestational carrier agreement complies with statutes. Pre-birth orders are stayed until birth. Traditional surrogacy agreements must be court-validated before assisted reproduction begins; pre-birth orders are not granted, but post-birth orders are available after the 48-hour period for the surrogate to change her mind. If the surrogate rescinds, the court decides parentage based on the child’s best interests. Before 2019, commercial surrogacy was frowned upon.
In these states, surrogacy is generally permitted, either by statute or accepted practice, but there may be specific conditions or variations in how the law is applied. Pre-birth parentage orders are often granted, particularly in gestational surrogacy arrangements where at least one intended parent has a genetic connection to the child. However, the availability of pre-birth orders might depend on factors such as marital status, genetic relatedness, or the specific county and judge. Post-birth adoptions, such as second-parent or stepparent adoptions, may be necessary for non-genetic intended parents, unmarried couples, or in situations where a pre-birth order is not possible or fully encompasses both intended parents. While surrogacy agreements are generally upheld, specific provisions might not be consistently enforced. These states offer a pathway to surrogacy but require careful navigation of the legal landscape.
Gestational surrogacy is governed by the Kansas Uniform Parentage Act and Adoption Code, with no statute or case law preventing it. Courts in most counties regularly issue pre-birth orders if at least one parent is genetically related. If single or unmarried, the intended parent proceeds as a single parent or files a paternity action. Married, non-biological parents can pursue second-parent adoption. Married, non-genetically related intended parents can get a pre-birth order under KS 23-2302 and KSA 23-2207 or through adoption. Surrogacies with donor gametes need proof of legal donation. The original birth record names the surrogate and biological father, sealed upon court order, with an amended certificate listing the intended parents. Most contract provisions are enforced, except those on pregnancy termination. Compensated traditional surrogacy is permitted but requires additional legal actions and can carry criminal penalties for non-compliance. No specific legal requirements exist for gestational surrogates. Pre-birth orders are granted for gestational pregnancies.
Montana lacks statutes or case law expressly permitting or prohibiting surrogacy. Nevertheless, courts are typically favorable to surrogacy agreements, and pre- or post-birth parentage orders are usually granted when at least one intended parent is genetically related. These decisions are at the judge’s discretion, so results vary. Parentage orders can be obtained by married or unmarried couples or single intended parents, though unmarried, non-genetically related parents may face more difficulty. Second-parent (unmarried) and stepparent (married) adoptions are also available. Pre-birth orders are granted in gestational surrogacy, but traditional surrogacy may require a post-birth hearing or adoption.
The Oklahoma Gestational Agreement Act (House Bill 2468), effective May 15, 2019, legalized gestational surrogacy and established the framework for contract enforceability and pre-birth parentage orders. A pre-birth order can be obtained by single or married intended parents, regardless of genetic connection, but the gestational carrier agreement must be court-validated before embryo transfer. Attorneys representing the parties must be OK-licensed. Oklahoma treats traditional surrogacy like adoption and requires the surrogate to not be compensated.
South Dakota has no specific statutes or case law permitting or prohibiting surrogacy. However, pre-birth parentage orders can nevertheless be obtained by any intended parent, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or genetic connection. Post-birth adoptions are also available for residents. SDCL Section 22-17-14 prohibits compelling abortion or requiring agreements to pay costs for refusing abortion, so surrogacy agreements should avoid such provisions. Gestational and traditional surrogacy are permitted as they are not prohibited.
Tex. Fam. Code 160.751 through 160.763 permits gestational surrogacy arrangements and sets requirements for valid contracts. A pre-birth order may be granted if the gestational carrier agreement is first validated by a Texas court as compliant with statutes. Although the statute refers only to married intended parents, some courts may grant pre-birth orders to unmarried parents regardless of genetic connection. Texas requires medical necessity for surrogacy: the intended mother must be unable to carry a pregnancy to term without unreasonable risk to her or the unborn child’s health (§ 160.756 (b)(2)). Traditional surrogacy is handled like adoption, with paperwork filed post-birth.
Utah Code Ann. 78B-15-801 (2008) permits gestational surrogacy for married intended parents, and pre-birth parentage orders can be obtained by any married intended parent regardless of genetic connection. Qualified intended parents must have the surrogacy agreement court-validated before birth, after which the court orders Vital Records to issue a birth certificate with the intended parents’ names. Traditional surrogacy is permitted as it’s not prohibited, but the gestational surrogacy statute explicitly excludes it.
In these states, there are potential legal obstacles and uncertainties surrounding surrogacy. While the practice of surrogacy might not be explicitly prohibited, surrogacy contracts may be legally unenforceable. The availability of pre-birth parentage orders can be limited or inconsistent, often depending on genetic connection to the child and marital status.
Intended parents frequently need to rely on post-birth adoption processes, which can include stepparent or full adoptions, to establish their legal parental rights, particularly for non-genetic parents or unmarried couples, and second-parent adoptions may be prohibited.
The legal framework may be unclear, with limited statutory guidance or case law, leading to variability in court decisions. Intended parents and surrogates in these states must exercise caution and seek experienced legal counsel to navigate the complexities and potential risks involved in surrogacy arrangements.
Arizona expressly prohibits surrogacy, making contracts unenforceable under Arizona Revised Statute § 25-218. Despite this, courts began granting pre-birth parentage orders in 1994 following a court decision, although contracts remain unenforceable. These orders are routinely granted when both intended parents (married or unmarried) are genetically related to the child. They are also granted with donor gametes if at least one intended parent is genetically related and married. Post-birth orders are possible and recommended. When neither intended parent is genetically related, a parentage order isn’t possible, requiring post-birth adoption. Second-parent adoptions are prohibited, creating difficulties for unmarried, non-genetically related couples. Surrogacy contracts are illegal and unenforceable, making gestational surrogacy inadvisable. Finding a surrogate outside Arizona can circumvent this.
Indiana Code 31-20-1-1 makes gestational and traditional surrogacy contracts void and unenforceable as against public policy if they contain certain provisions, though the practice continues. The enforceability of the entire agreement versus specific provisions is unclear. While agreements may be questionable, Indiana courts have granted pre-birth orders in many circumstances, including with donor material. Second-parent and stepparent adoptions are permitted. Courts have refused pre-birth orders for traditional surrogacy, requiring post-birth adoption. Surrogacy contracts are void and unenforceable, but the practice continues, and some courts grant pre-birth orders in gestational surrogacy when no donor is used. Pre-birth orders are illegal in Nebraska, requiring post-birth adoption for all but biological fathers.
R.R.S. Neb. 25-21, 200 declares surrogacy contracts void and unenforceable, but not illegal, allowing the practice without guaranteed enforceability. Pre-birth parentage orders are not available. However, legal/intended fathers and genetic mothers (if providing the egg) can be on the birth certificate at the hospital via Acknowledgements of Paternity/Maternity, with signatures from the surrogate and her spouse (if any). All other intended parents must go through a post-birth adoption process. Stepparent adoptions are permitted, but second-parent adoptions are not. Only uncompensated surrogacy is allowed, but the contract is void. A post-birth order is granted only when the surrogate is not compensated, with the surrogate and biological father initially on the birth certificate, requiring a stepparent adoption in the intended mother’s home state for birth certificate amendment.
Tenn. Code Ann. 36-1-102(48) neither permits nor prohibits surrogacy but defines it. A pre-birth order is only possible when at least one intended parent is genetically connected. Only the genetic parent will be on the parentage order, requiring the non-genetic parent to complete a post-birth second-parent or stepparent adoption if they are married to the genetic parent. A single genetic intended parent can obtain a pre-birth order disestablishing the surrogate’s parentage. The gestational surrogate is named the mother on the birth certificate unless both intended parents use their own gametes. If an egg donor is used, the surrogate remains on the birth certificate until the second parent adopts. Pre-birth orders are granted only if at least one intended parent is genetically related. The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that a traditional surrogate’s parental rights cannot be terminated pre-birth and are treated like any genetic mother’s rights, with the best interests of the child considered for custody; while the contract isn’t binding, its terms can be a factor in the best interest analysis.
Virginia’s Assisted Conception Statute, the Status of Children of Assisted Conception Act, permits surrogacy and upholds enforceable contracts meeting statutory requirements. Instead of pre-/post-birth orders, legal parentage is established via a court-approved model (pre-approval, home study, hearing) or a non-court-approved model (Surrogate Consent and Report form filed with Birth Registrar post-birth). The non-court model (“administrative process”) is common. The statute requires intended parents (if two) to be married but applies to all sexes. Steps are needed with the hospital pre-birth. For same-sex couples, a parentage order in their home state (if not VA) or a parallel action in VA is recommended. Compensation is limited to reasonable medical and housing expenses. The surrogate cannot give consent until four days post-birth. Traditional surrogacy is permitted if statutory restrictions are met.
In these states, there are potential legal obstacles and uncertainties surrounding surrogacy. While the practice of surrogacy might not be explicitly prohibited, surrogacy contracts may be legally unenforceable. The availability of pre-birth parentage orders can be limited or inconsistent, often depending on genetic connection to the child and marital status.
Intended parents frequently need to rely on post-birth adoption processes, which can include stepparent or full adoptions, to establish their legal parental rights, particularly for non-genetic parents or unmarried couples, and second-parent adoptions may be prohibited.
The legal framework may be unclear, with limited statutory guidance or case law, leading to variability in court decisions. Intended parents and surrogates in these states must exercise caution and seek experienced legal counsel to navigate the complexities and potential risks involved in surrogacy arrangements
Virginia’s Assisted Conception Statute, the Status of Children of Assisted Conception Act, permits surrogacy and upholds enforceable contracts meeting statutory requirements. Instead of pre-/post-birth orders, legal parentage is established via a court-approved model (pre-approval, home study, hearing) or a non-court-approved model (Surrogate Consent and Report form filed with Birth Registrar post-birth). The non-court model (“administrative process”) is common. The statute requires intended parents (if two) to be married but applies to all sexes. Steps are needed with the hospital pre-birth. For same-sex couples, a parentage order in their home state (if not VA) or a parallel action in VA is recommended. Compensation is limited to reasonable medical and housing expenses. The surrogate cannot give consent until four days post-birth. Traditional surrogacy is permitted if statutory restrictions are met.
Surrogacy costs range from $140,000 to $180,000 for an agency program in the United States. ‘Independent Surrogacy’ can cost as little as $80,000, but can be difficult to manage.
Low-cost surrogacy options can reduce fees from $10,000 to $30,000 with an ‘Independent Journey’. Indy surrogacy works without a typical agency, requiring the intended parents to work directly with the surrogate.
Your surrogate’s total expenses will take about one-half of your surrogacy budget. In the U.S., that’s from $60,000 to $80,000 USD for a typical journey. Overseas, surrogates earn similar compensation but adjusted for the cost of living. That’s about $15,000 to $20,000 USD.
Sensible offers complete surrogacy services to manage your entire surrogacy journey! We have US surrogates ready to match immediately, as well as international programs.
Bill Houghton is the founder of Sensible Surrogacy, author of the Sensible Surrogacy Guide, 2x surrogacy dad, and a dedicated advocate for secure, legal and ethical Gestational Surrogacy. Read Bill's Biography
Bill Houghton is the founder of Sensible Surrogacy, author of the Sensible Surrogacy Guide, 2x surrogacy dad, and a dedicated advocate for secure, legal and ethical Gestational Surrogacy. Read Bill's Biography
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PLEASE NOTE: Information on this website is based on personal experience gained over many years of assisting infertile couples. My comments are intended as a Guide for those in need, but should not be mistaken for professional medical advise. Any medical questions should ALWAYS be referred to a credentialed medical specialist before beginning any treatment. Sensible Surrogacy or Exceptional Stork accepts no liability for medical procedures undertaken without the consult of an accredited clinic or physician.
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