Now accepting new surrogate applications in California—See if you qualify →
Merced & Merced County · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in Mercedand Merced County
Comprehensive third-party screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. An agency that coordinates the geography for you.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, Sacramento-based, serving Merced, Merced County, and the Central Valley.
“They didn't sugarcoat the process, and they didn't pressure me.”
— Jenny M., surrogate, Central Valley
Merced doesn't have a fertility clinic in town, and most surrogacy agencies don't have a page for Merced either. We think that's exactly why this one needs to exist.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in the Sacramento area, about 120 miles north of Merced. Our founder, Samantha Giermek, is a former surrogate who built this agency from personal experience. We work with surrogates and intended parents throughout the Central Valley, coordinating every fertility clinic appointment, every legal milestone, every step of the journey for families in Merced County.
Whether you're a woman here considering surrogacy or intended parents searching for an agency that knows this region, this page has the specifics other surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Surrogacy in Merced, California
Merced is a growing Central Valley city of nearly 98,000 people, home to UC Merced and rooted in an agricultural heritage that shapes one of the most family-oriented communities in the San Joaquin Valley. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinics Serving Merced
Simple IVF Centers / Fresno Fertility Center
7025 North Chesnut Ave, Suite 103, Fresno (~50 miles, 55 min via CA-99)
Over 30 years of IVF experience.
Valley Andrology Fertility Center
Fresno
Reproductive endocrinology serving the Central Valley.
Northern California Fertility Medical Center (NCFMC)
Sacramento
Full IVF, egg donation, and surrogacy coordination. Our Sacramento-area headquarters means in-person coordination support.
Merced does not currently have a fertility clinic within city limits. We coordinate all clinic appointments as part of every journey.
Delivery Hospital in Merced
Mercy Medical Center Merced (Dignity Health)
333 Mercy Ave, Merced, CA 95340
Family Birth Center with private LDRP rooms, dedicated C-section surgical suites, and a Level II NICU operated by Valley Children's Healthcare (eight intermediate-care beds). Locked, secure unit with Panda Warmer bedside newborn monitoring.
Valley Children's Hospital, Madera
25 miles away (~30 min). The only Level IV NICU in the Central Valley—88 beds, the highest level of neonatal intensive care available. For cases requiring higher-level neonatal care.
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.
Merced residents get all of those protections with an agency that coordinates the geography for you. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
Why Families and Surrogates in Merced Choose Us
Other agencies might tell you they “serve the Central Valley.” Here's what we can tell you that they can't.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening That Reflects Real Investment
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.
A thorough process protects everyone involved—surrogates, intended parents, and the baby.
Every Surrogate Lives in California
No cross-state coordination. No conflicting laws. No ambiguity about which legal framework applies. When your surrogate is a California resident, the entire journey stays within the strongest legal protections in the country.
For surrogates in Merced, it also means support from an agency that understands the Central Valley.
100%
California-Based
3–6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+
The industry average is 6–12 months or longer. We typically match families in 3–6 months because our surrogate compensation—$65,000–$90,000+ total—attracts a deeper pool of qualified candidates.
More candidates means more potential matches. More matches means 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 it looks like. That experience shapes everything from how we screen to how we communicate. Read more about our story.
“We spent over a year with another agency and never got a match. Samantha's team matched us in four months. The screening gave us confidence we hadn't felt before, and the communication was completely different from what we'd experienced.”
— Rebecca T., intended parent
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Become a Surrogate in Merced
If you're considering surrogacy in Merced, you're weighing two things at once: whether it's meaningful enough to commit your body and time to, and whether it's financially worth it. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we don't ask you to choose. Both matter.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. That's base compensation plus additional allowances throughout the process. In Merced, where the median household income is around $60,000, that compensation carries real weight for your family.
Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate
Full health insurance coverage
All pregnancy-related medical care, paid by the intended parents.
Monthly allowances
Maternity clothing, housekeeping, and childcare during appointments.
Independent legal representation
Paid for by intended parents, to protect your rights throughout the process.
Dedicated case manager support
From application through postpartum, including coordination of fertility clinic appointments in Fresno or Sacramento.
The experience itself
Surrogacy is one of the most meaningful things you can do for another family, and it can provide real financial stability for yours.
What the Process Looks Like
Application
Takes about 10 minutes. We review your basic qualifications and health history.
Screening
Medical records review, psychological assessment, background check. Our team walks you through every step.
Matching
We connect you with intended parents based on values, preferences, and compatibility.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic, whether in Fresno or Sacramento, confirms readiness for embryo transfer. We coordinate those appointments.
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 throughout. Mercy Medical Center Merced's Family Birth Center is right here in town for delivery.
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 while you do it.
For full details, visit our surrogate requirements page or see the complete compensation breakdown.
For Intended Parents
Find a Surrogate in Merced
For intended parents, choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most consequential decisions in the process. You're trusting an organization to screen the person who will carry your child, manage the logistics of a year-long journey, and be available when things don't go as planned.
Made in the USA Surrogacy works with surrogates throughout the Central Valley, including Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Los Banos, and surrounding Merced County communities. Every surrogate has been through comprehensive screening before being presented as a match.
Our program maintains a success rate of 99.3%–99.5%, and every surrogate in our program has been through the comprehensive screening process described above.
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. For Merced-area journeys, that typically means a clinic in Fresno or Sacramento.
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
Merced 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+
California's clear legal framework can simplify, and in some cases reduce, legal costs compared to states where surrogacy law is less established. Higher surrogate compensation isn't just a cost line; it attracts more qualified candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey.
For a full breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.
Central Valley Coverage
Serving the Central Valley and Beyond
We serve families and surrogates throughout Merced, the Central Valley, and all of California.
Learn more about surrogacy in California across all the cities we serve.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a surrogate in Merced?
Start with a 10-minute online application. From there, you'll go through comprehensive screening including medical records review, psychological assessment, and background verification. You'll need to have carried at least one pregnancy to term, be between 21 and 40, and meet our requirements. Fertility clinic appointments will be in Fresno or Sacramento, and we coordinate every one. See our full surrogate requirements.
How much does surrogacy cost in Merced, California?
Total surrogacy costs typically start at $160,000 and can exceed $200,000 depending on medical needs and the number of transfer cycles. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF, legal fees, and insurance. See our full cost breakdown.
Are there surrogacy agencies in the Central Valley?
Made in the USA Surrogacy serves families and surrogates throughout the Central Valley from our Sacramento-area headquarters. We work with surrogates in Merced, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, and surrounding communities, coordinating every step including fertility clinic appointments.
How much do surrogates earn in Merced, California?
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, total surrogate compensation ranges from $65,000 to $90,000+, depending on experience and journey specifics. This includes base compensation plus additional allowances throughout the process. See our full compensation details.
What fertility clinics near Merced work with surrogacy agencies?
Merced does not have a fertility clinic in town. The closest options are Simple IVF Centers / Fresno Fertility Center (50 miles south, 55 minutes via CA-99) and Valley Andrology Fertility Center in Fresno. Sacramento options include Northern California Fertility Medical Center and California IVF Fertility Center. Our team coordinates all clinic appointments.
Start a Conversation
“I looked into surrogacy for almost a year before I applied anywhere. What made me choose Made in the USA was how honest they were from the first conversation. They didn't sugarcoat the process, and they didn't pressure me. My case manager checked in regularly, and knowing the agency was there every step made the whole thing feel personal.”
— Jenny M., surrogate, Central Valley
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies, 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 the Sacramento area. Founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. Serving families and surrogates throughout Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Los Banos, and all of California.
