Now accepting new surrogate applications in California—See if you qualify →
Berkeley & the East Bay · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in Berkeleyand the East Bay
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. What screening actually involves.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, Sacramento-based, serving Berkeley, the East Bay, and all of California.
“The only agency that could explain their screening in detail.”
— Laura M., surrogate, East Bay
Most surrogacy agencies that appear when you search “Berkeley” are based in Los Angeles or another state. They have a Berkeley page with some cultural references and a phone number. Very few can tell you how they screen surrogates, how long matching takes, or which fertility clinics they coordinate with in the East Bay.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento, about 80 miles from Berkeley. Every surrogate in our program lives in California, many of them in the Bay Area and East Bay. Our screening goes deeper than a requirements checklist. Our matching timeline is backed by data. And our founder, Samantha Giermek, built this agency from personal surrogacy experience.
Whether you're considering becoming a surrogate in Berkeley or you're intended parents looking for an agency that serves the East Bay, here are the specifics most surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Surrogacy in Berkeley and the East Bay
Berkeley sits at the heart of the East Bay with access to some of the strongest fertility and maternity infrastructure in Northern California. For gestational surrogacy, your fertility clinic handles the IVF cycle, embryo transfer, monitoring, and coordination with your OB through delivery. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinics Serving Berkeley & the East Bay
Alta Bates IVF (Berkeley)
A private fertility clinic in Berkeley with its own IVF laboratory. Offers IVF, IUI, egg donation, and surrogacy services with financing options available.
Pacific Fertility Center
One of the Bay Area's most established fertility centers with deep gestational surrogacy experience. Serves Berkeley and East Bay patients from their San Francisco location.
Spring Fertility (East Bay)
A modern, patient-centered clinic with Bay Area locations offering IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy support.
UCSF Center for Reproductive Health
Mission Bay, San Francisco
An academic medical center with research-driven protocols and comprehensive gestational carrier services at their Mission Bay location.
Marin Fertility Center (Berkeley office)
Berkeley office location providing personalized fertility care.
Delivery Hospital in Berkeley
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (Berkeley Campus)
Level III NICU with more than 4,000 births annually. 22 labor and delivery suites, Baby-Friendly designation, and one of the most recognized maternity programs in the East Bay.
California Legal Framework
Pre-birth parentage orders mean both parents are on the birth certificate before the baby is born, regardless of marital status or genetic connection. No post-birth adoption. No waiting period. No uncertainty.
Berkeley families and surrogates benefit from California's strongest-in-the-nation legal protections plus access to excellent fertility clinics and delivery hospitals. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
Why Families and Surrogates in the East Bay Choose Us
Other agencies will describe their screening as “comprehensive” and their matching as “efficient.” Here's what we tell you that they don't.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening That Most Agencies Won't Describe
Every surrogate in our program completes comprehensive medical evaluation including third-party IVF nurse review of complete OB/GYN records for all pregnancies—not just the most recent. Every candidate also undergoes psychological assessment, financial stability verification, background screening, and unannounced nicotine testing.
We do this because the quality of the match matters to everyone involved—surrogates, intended parents, and the baby. A thorough process protects all three.
Every Surrogate Lives in California
No cross-state coordination. No conflicting legal frameworks. When your surrogate is a California resident with proximity to East Bay fertility clinics, the journey stays within the strongest surrogacy legal protections in the country.
For surrogates, it means local support from an agency rooted in Northern California.
100%
California-Based
3–6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+
The industry average for surrogate matching is 6–12 months. Some intended parents wait over a year. We typically match in 3–6 months because our surrogate compensation—$65,000+ base for first-time surrogates—attracts a deeper pool of qualified candidates.
More candidates means more potential matches and faster, better outcomes for everyone.
Founded by a Former Surrogate
Samantha Giermek became a surrogate before she built this agency. She knows what the process feels like from the inside, what support actually looks like versus what agencies claim, and what women need to know before they commit. That experience informs our screening, our case management, and the way we communicate. Read more about our story.
“I researched surrogacy agencies for weeks before contacting MUSA. They were the only ones who could explain their screening process in detail and give me a real matching timeline. The whole experience felt transparent and supportive from the first conversation.”
— Laura M., surrogate, East Bay
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Become a Surrogate in Berkeley
If you're a woman in Berkeley or the East Bay thinking about surrogacy, you're weighing whether it's meaningful enough to give your body and your time, and whether the financial side reflects what the commitment actually requires. We don't ask you to pick one or the other. Both matter.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. First-time surrogates start at $65,000+ base. Experienced surrogates start at $70,000+. Total compensation, including monthly allowances, milestone payments, and full coverage of pregnancy-related expenses, reaches $90,000 or more depending on your situation.
What the Process Looks Like
Application
Takes about 10 minutes. We review your basic qualifications and health history.
Screening
Medical records review by a third-party IVF nurse, psychological assessment, background check, and more. Our team guides you through every step.
Matching
We connect you with intended parents based on values, preferences, and compatibility.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic, often one of the East Bay clinics above, confirms readiness for embryo transfer.
Legal
Independent legal representation for you, paid for by the intended parents. Your rights and compensation are locked in before anything medical begins.
Pregnancy and delivery
Ongoing support from your case manager, from transfer through postpartum.
Surrogacy is physically demanding, emotionally complex, and not for everyone. We're upfront about that. But for the right person, it's one of the most significant things you can do—and it can provide real financial stability for your family along the way.
For full details, visit our surrogate requirements page or see the complete compensation breakdown.
For Intended Parents
Find a Surrogate in Berkeley
For intended parents, choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most consequential decisions in the process. You need an organization that screens thoroughly, communicates transparently, and stays available when the plan changes.
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, every surrogate has cleared comprehensive medical, psychological, and background screening before being presented to intended parents. We review complete OB/GYN records for every pregnancy, not abbreviated summaries. Our gestational surrogacy success rate is 99.3%–99.5%, and that reflects the depth of our screening process.
Our surrogates complete one of the most comprehensive screening processes in the industry. Combined with a 99.3%–99.5% success rate on embryo transfers with our surrogates, that screening translates to outcomes you can feel confident about.
How the Process Works for Intended Parents
Free consultation
A conversation about your goals, timeline, and questions. No pressure.
Matching
We identify surrogate candidates aligned with your preferences, values, and medical needs. Typical timeline: 3–6 months.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic evaluates the surrogate's readiness for embryo transfer.
Legal agreements
Both parties receive independent legal counsel. Contracts are finalized before any medical procedures.
Embryo transfer and pregnancy
Coordinated with your fertility clinic, with ongoing support.
Birth and parentage
California's pre-birth parentage order means both parents are on the birth certificate before delivery.
The full journey from consultation to birth is typically 18–24 months. Our step-by-step surrogacy process page has the complete breakdown.
Investment
Berkeley Surrogacy Costs
Total surrogacy investment typically starts at $160,000+, covering surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF and medical expenses, legal fees, and insurance.
Total Estimated Investment
$160,000+
Bay Area costs can trend higher than other parts of California due to the region's elevated cost of living and premium medical services. Higher surrogate compensation reflects the true demands of surrogacy and attracts more qualified, committed candidates—which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey.
For a full breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.
East Bay Coverage
Serving the Entire East Bay & Bay Area
We serve families and surrogates throughout Berkeley, Oakland, and the greater Bay Area.
Oakland
East Bay
Emeryville
East Bay
Albany
East Bay
El Cerrito
East Bay
Richmond
East Bay
Learn more about surrogacy in California across all the cities we serve.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a surrogate in Berkeley?
Start with an application that takes about 10 minutes. Requirements include being 21–40 years old, having carried at least one pregnancy to term, having a healthy pregnancy history, being a non-smoker, and having a stable living situation. See our full surrogate requirements.
How much does surrogacy cost in Berkeley?
Total surrogacy costs typically start at $160,000 and can exceed $200,000 depending on medical needs and the number of IVF transfer cycles. See our full full cost breakdown.
Are there surrogacy agencies in the East Bay?
Several surrogacy agencies serve the East Bay, though most are headquartered elsewhere. Look for an agency that can describe its screening process in detail, publish matching timelines, and explain compensation transparently. Made in the USA Surrogacy is Sacramento-based with surrogates throughout the Bay Area and East Bay.
How much do surrogates earn in Berkeley, California?
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, base compensation starts at $65,000+ for first-time surrogates and $70,000+ for experienced surrogates. Total compensation can reach $90,000 or more. See our full compensation details.
What fertility clinics near Berkeley work with surrogacy agencies?
The East Bay has strong fertility clinic options including Alta Bates IVF in Berkeley, Pacific Fertility Center, Spring Fertility, and UCSF Center for Reproductive Health. These clinics coordinate with surrogacy agencies on IVF cycles and embryo transfers.
Start a Conversation
“I live in Oakland and was looking for an agency that actually understood the Bay Area. MUSA matched me with incredible intended parents within four months. The screening was thorough but never made me feel like a number. It felt like they were investing in me as much as the process.”
— Danielle K., surrogate, East Bay
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies serving the East Bay, we'd rather answer your questions honestly than pitch you.
For Surrogates
The application takes about 10 minutes. No commitment. It's the first step in finding out if surrogacy is right for you.
See If You QualifyFor Intended Parents
A free consultation is a conversation, not a sales call. We'll walk through your situation and answer your questions, even if next steps aren't with us.
Free ConsultationMade in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento, California. Founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. Serving families and surrogates throughout Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, and all of California.
