Surrogacy in the USA
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Many prospective parents opt for surrogacy in the United States due to its well-established framework, which provides a clear and reliable path to parenthood. The US surrogacy process offers access to thoroughly screened surrogates and egg donors, ensuring that intended parents receive the highest standard of care and support throughout their journey. Additionally, the country is home to some of the world’s most advanced fertility clinics with cutting-edge reproductive technology and expert medical care to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Who can build a family in the USA?
Married Heterosexual Couples
Single Men and Women
Married Same-sex Couples
De-facto Couples
How does surrogacy work in the US?
In the US, most surrogacy processes are gestational, meaning the surrogate has no biological connection to the child she carries. Instead, an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) is transferred to the surrogate, who carries and delivers the baby. If the intended parents cannot provide an egg, a separate egg donor is used.
What is the typical process for surrogacy in the US?
For intended parents coming from abroad, US surrogacy is typically a fully managed process guided by a team of professionals.
A surrogacy agency screens and matches surrogates, coordinates payments, and provides ongoing support.
Fertility clinics create and test embryos, transferring the strongest to the surrogate.
Attorneys handle legal agreements, ensuring the intended parents’ legal rights, while a separate attorney represents the surrogate.
Additional professionals, including escrow agents, donor agencies, insurance brokers, and passport agents, assist throughout the journey.
To ensure reliability, surrogates undergo thorough screening before being matched with intended parents. US surrogates receive a base compensation plus reimbursement for expenses, which vary depending on travel costs, lost wages, medical procedures, and other factors. With its structured, legally protected process, US surrogacy offers intended parents a safe and well-supported path to parenthood.
What are the costs of surrogacy in the US?
US surrogacy costs typically range from $130,000 to $200,000, covering donor eggs, legal, medical, insurance, compensation, surrogate expenses, and agency fees. Costs vary depending on individual circumstances — having existing embryos can reduce expenses. While US surrogacy is safe, legally recognized, and ethical, it is among the most expensive options globally.
Accurate budgeting requires considering agency fees, surrogate and donor expenses, compensation, fertility treatments, US health insurance for the surrogate and baby, hospital costs, legal fees, citizenship and passport processing, and as well as personal travel and accommodation. Understanding these costs ensures a well-planned surrogacy journey.
What is a realistic timeline for surrogacy in the US?
A US surrogacy journey typically takes 19 to 30 months, with surrogate match times being critical. Matching depends on agency recruitment efficiency, waitlists, preferences for a COVID-vaccinated surrogate, and views on termination. While some agencies match within three months, others have waitlists exceeding a year. Even after matching, legal and medical steps must be completed before the first embryo transfer.
Why choose surrogacy in the US?
One of the key advantages of choosing surrogacy in the US is the legal certainty it provides. In many US states, surrogacy laws are well defined, ensuring that intended parents are recognized as the legal parents from the outset. This legal clarity offers peace of mind, eliminating potential legal hurdles that may arise in other jurisdictions. Furthermore, children born through surrogacy in the US are granted automatic US citizenship, a major benefit for international intended parents who may seek legal stability for their child’s future.
One of the key advantages of choosing surrogacy in the US is the legal certainty it provides. In many US states, surrogacy laws are well defined, ensuring that intended parents are recognized as the legal parents from the outset. This legal clarity offers peace of mind, eliminating potential legal hurdles that may arise in other jurisdictions. Furthermore, children born through surrogacy in the US are granted automatic US citizenship, a major benefit for international intended parents who may seek legal stability for their child’s future.
Get started on your surrogacy journey
Choosing a surrogacy partner
Selecting the right professional service providers is crucial in any surrogacy journey. Providers differ in cost, approach, and experience, and not all are prepared to work with international clients. With over 10 years of experience, Growing Families provides independent recommendations tailored to your budget and needs, offering an Assessment & Support consultation to guide your choices.
Talk to an expertMatching and building a relationship with your surrogate
Discuss your preferred level of communication to help your agency match you with the right surrogate, and establish early on how often and through which platform you’ll stay in touch. Keep in mind that your relationship with your surrogate may evolve over time.
Get surrogacy adviceFAQS
A surrogate is a woman who carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple. In a surrogate pregnancy, she agrees to give the child to the intended parent(s) after birth.
Gestational surrogacy: The surrogate carries an embryo created via IVF using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm, meaning she has no genetic link to the child. This is the most common type of surrogacy for Australians.
Traditional surrogacy: The surrogate provides her own egg and is impregnated with the intended father’s sperm, making her biologically related to the child, though she gives up legal parental rights.
Altruistic surrogacy: The surrogate receives no financial compensation beyond medical and necessary expenses, with some jurisdictions allowing reimbursement for lost wages.
Compensated (commercial) surrogacy: The surrogate is paid a fee beyond her medical and pregnancy-related expenses, though this is restricted or banned in some places.
Typically, money is not the primary motivation for becoming a surrogate. Rather, most surrogates are women who genuinely want to help others build a family. They come from diverse backgrounds and often have strong emotional support systems, including online communities.
Studies show that properly screened surrogates rarely struggle with giving up the child, despite what movies may portray. Most surrogacy arrangements conclude smoothly, leaving both the surrogate and intended parents satisfied.
Surrogacy is often chosen by those unable to carry a child, including women with infertility, medical conditions, or reproductive challenges, as well as single men, same-sex couples, and those who have experienced repeated IVF failures.
If you’re not using your own or a known donor’s eggs, you may need to select an anonymous or identifiable donor, depending on local laws. Donor agencies provide profiles, including medical, educational, and personality details, with costs starting at around USD 4,000.
Independent surrogacy allows intended parents and surrogates to match through online forums instead of agencies, reducing costs. However, it carries risks such as unvetted surrogates, legal complications, and potential financial disputes.
We find ways to help you grow your family
Whether for surrogacy advice, IVF clinic liaising, embryo transport, or other fertility-related needs, Growing Families is here to help. Reach out to us today for the support you deserve.