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Palm Desert & the Coachella Valley · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in Palm Desertand the Coachella Valley
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. Eisenhower Health just ten minutes away.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, Sacramento-based, serving Palm Desert, the Coachella Valley, and all of California.
“The thoroughness of their screening gave us real confidence.”
— MUSA intended parent
Palm Desert sits at the heart of the Coachella Valley—a residential desert community with a year-round population of 53,000, Eisenhower Health just ten minutes away in Rancho Mirage, and a quiet stability that makes this one of the most grounded places in Southern California to pursue a surrogacy journey.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is a Sacramento-based, California-focused surrogacy agency founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate who built the agency she wished she'd had. Every surrogate in our program is a California resident, which means access to Coachella Valley medical care, full protection under California surrogacy laws, and a team that knows this state because we live and work here.
Whether you're a woman in Palm Desert considering surrogacy or intended parents looking for an agency that serves the Coachella Valley, this page has the specifics other surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Why Palm Desert for Surrogacy
The Coachella Valley has a medical infrastructure that most people outside of it don't realize exists. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Delivery Hospitals in the Coachella Valley
Eisenhower Health (Rancho Mirage)
Roughly ten minutes from Palm Desert. The medical anchor for the entire desert region, with comprehensive maternity services and a NICU.
Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs)
About fifteen minutes west. Emergency and maternity care serving the western valley.
JFK Memorial Hospital (Indio)
Fifteen minutes east. Serving the eastern Coachella Valley.
Fertility Clinics
One honest note: the nearest comprehensive fertility clinics are in Riverside (about 50 minutes west) or in the LA metro area (90 minutes to two hours). But here's how it works in practice—surrogates typically travel to the reproductive endocrinologist's clinic for embryo transfer, which involves one to two visits. All other care happens locally.
Palm Springs International Airport is about 15 minutes from Palm Desert, connecting to major cities for intended parents traveling from out of state or internationally.
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.
Palm Desert families and surrogates benefit from California's strongest-in-the-nation legal protections. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
What Makes MUSA Different for Palm Desert Families
Most surrogacy agencies describe their screening as “comprehensive” and leave it at that. We publish what comprehensive actually means. Because vague language doesn't protect anyone.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening That Protects Everyone Involved
Every surrogate in our program completes a medical evaluation that goes beyond standard ASRM guidelines. An independent, third-party IVF nurse reviews the complete OB/GYN records for all of her pregnancies—not just the most recent one. She also undergoes psychological assessment by a licensed mental health professional, financial stability verification, background screening, and undisclosed nicotine testing.
We do this because the quality of the match matters to everyone involved. Surrogates deserve thoroughness. Intended parents deserve confidence. And the baby at the center of every journey deserves both.
Every Surrogate Lives in California
No cross-state coordination. No conflicting legal frameworks. When your surrogate is a California resident, the journey stays within the strongest surrogacy legal protections in the country.
For Palm Desert families, that means no cross-state legal coordination and a surrogacy journey that stays within the strongest legal framework in the United States. For surrogates in the Coachella Valley, it means local support, familiar hospitals like Eisenhower Health, and a team that understands California-specific systems.
100%
California-Based
3–6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+
Many agencies quote 6–12 months or longer for matching. Our matching timeline is typically 3–6 months. That's a function of our surrogate compensation—$65,000+ base attracts a deep applicant pool—our screening thoroughness, and our California-only focus.
More candidates means more potential matches and faster, better outcomes for everyone.
Founded by a Former Surrogate
Samantha Giermek didn't study surrogacy from a boardroom. She carried a baby for another family, experienced every step of the process firsthand, and then built an agency based on what she learned: what worked, what didn't, and what surrogates actually need to feel supported. That experience informs how we screen, how we match, and how we support surrogates and families throughout the journey. Read more about our story.
“From the first call, they treated me like a person, not an applicant. The compensation was the best I found anywhere, and they were honest about every step of the process.”
— MUSA surrogate, Southern California
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Become a Surrogate in Palm Desert
If you've been thinking about becoming a surrogate—maybe you've seen other surrogates share their stories online, or a friend in the valley mentioned it, or you've just been quietly researching what the process actually involves—here's what you should know about working with MUSA as a Palm Desert-area surrogate.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. First-time surrogates start at $65,000+ base. Experienced surrogates start at $70,000+. Total compensation can reach $100,000+ depending on your journey. All funds are managed through a dedicated escrow account.
Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate
Full health insurance coverage
All pregnancy-related medical care, paid by the intended parents.
Monthly allowances
$350/month personal allowance, $1,000 maternity clothing, $2,000 housekeeping allowance.
Independent legal representation
Paid for by intended parents, to protect your rights throughout the process.
Dedicated case manager support
From application through postpartum, including a direct line to someone who understands what you're going through.
The experience itself
Surrogacy is one of the most meaningful things you can do for another family, and the relationships built during the journey often last well beyond delivery.
What the Process Looks Like
Application
Takes about 10 minutes online. You'll share basic health history and personal information.
Screening
Medical evaluation, psychological assessment, pregnancy history review, and background check. Our team walks you through every step.
Matching
We introduce you to intended parents based on preferences, values, and what kind of relationship you're looking for during the journey.
Legal
You'll work with your own independent attorney (paid for by the intended parents) to review and sign the surrogacy agreement.
Medical
Embryo transfer at the fertility clinic (typically one to two visits to a clinic in the Riverside or LA area), followed by ongoing prenatal care locally—Eisenhower Health is just ten minutes away.
Pregnancy and delivery
Regular check-ins with your MUSA case manager, monthly support, and coordination with your medical team through delivery.
The entire journey takes roughly 12–14 months from matching to delivery. It's not easy. The injections are uncomfortable, the early weeks can be anxious, and the emotional weight is real. But most MUSA surrogates describe it as one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives.
For full details, visit our surrogate requirements page or see the complete compensation breakdown.
For Intended Parents
Find a Surrogate in Palm Desert
If you're an intended parent researching surrogacy in the Palm Desert area, here's what working with MUSA looks like—and why the agency you choose matters as much as the clinic.
With a 99.4% journey success rate, our thoroughness isn't incidental—it's the reason. Palm Springs International Airport is about 15 minutes from Palm Desert, with direct flights to major U.S. cities.
Your fertility clinic manages the medical procedure. Your attorney handles the legal framework. But the agency is the thread that holds the entire journey together—screening surrogates, facilitating the match, managing communication, navigating complications, and supporting everyone through a process that is simultaneously clinical, emotional, legal, and deeply personal.
How the Process Works for Intended Parents
Consultation
A free, no-pressure conversation about your situation, timeline, and questions. No commitment required.
Matching
We present surrogate profiles based on your preferences, location, and values. Typical timeline: 3–6 months.
Medical clearance
Your surrogate completes additional medical evaluation at your chosen fertility clinic.
Legal
Both parties work with independent attorneys to finalize the surrogacy agreement and file for a pre-birth parentage order.
Embryo transfer
Coordinated with your fertility clinic. Surrogates in the Coachella Valley travel to the clinic for one to two transfer appointments, with all other care handled locally.
Birth
Both parents named on the birth certificate. No adoption. No waiting period. Your baby, your family, from day one.
The total journey typically takes 18–24 months from your initial consultation to bringing your baby home. Our step-by-step surrogacy process page has the complete breakdown.
Investment
Palm Desert Surrogacy Costs
Total surrogacy investment in the Palm Desert area typically ranges from $160,000 to $250,000+, depending on your fertility clinic, legal needs, insurance situation, and surrogate compensation.
Total Estimated Investment
$160,000+
California's clear legal framework can simplify, and sometimes reduce, legal costs compared to states where surrogacy agreements face more scrutiny. And higher surrogate compensation isn't just an expense—it attracts more qualified candidates, which means better matches, fewer complications, and a smoother journey overall.
For a detailed breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.
Coachella Valley Coverage
Surrogacy in the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire
We serve families and surrogates throughout Palm Desert, the Coachella Valley, and all of California.
Rancho Mirage
Coachella Valley
Indio
Eastern Coachella Valley
La Quinta
Coachella Valley
Learn more about surrogacy in California across all the cities we serve.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a surrogate in Palm Desert?
Start by completing our online application, which takes about 10 minutes. MUSA surrogates must be between 23 and 38 years old, have delivered at least one full-term pregnancy, be currently raising a child, maintain a healthy BMI, have no major pregnancy complications, be a non-smoker, and be a legal U.S. resident living in California. See our full surrogate requirements.
How much does surrogacy cost in Palm Desert, California?
Total surrogacy costs in the Palm Desert area typically range from $160,000 to $250,000+. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF and medical costs, legal fees, and insurance. See our full detailed cost breakdown.
Are there surrogacy agencies in the Coachella Valley?
There are agencies that serve the Coachella Valley, though few are headquartered in the desert region specifically. Made in the USA Surrogacy is a California-focused agency based in Sacramento that serves surrogates and intended parents throughout the state, including Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and the broader Coachella Valley.
How much do surrogates earn in Palm Desert, California?
MUSA surrogates receive $65,000+ in base compensation for a first journey, with total compensation reaching $100,000+ when bonuses and allowances are included. Experienced surrogates start at $70,000+ base. All funds are managed through a dedicated escrow account. See our full compensation breakdown.
What hospitals near Palm Desert handle surrogacy deliveries?
Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage is the primary medical center for the Palm Desert area, roughly ten minutes away, with comprehensive maternity services and a NICU. Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs is about fifteen minutes west, and JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio is fifteen minutes east.
Is surrogacy legal in Palm Desert, California?
Yes. California has one of the most surrogacy-friendly legal frameworks in the United States. Gestational surrogacy agreements are fully enforceable under California Family Code Sections 7960–7962. Both intended parents are named on the birth certificate through a pre-birth parentage order. See our full California surrogacy laws.
Can intended parents from outside California pursue surrogacy in Palm Desert?
Yes. California is the most popular U.S. state for out-of-state and international surrogacy. Palm Springs International Airport, about 15 minutes from Palm Desert, connects to major U.S. cities. Pre-birth parentage orders and enforceable surrogacy agreements make California the safest legal environment for intended parents regardless of where they live.
Start Your Palm Desert Surrogacy Journey
“Whether you're a woman in the Palm Desert area considering surrogacy for the first time, or an intended parent searching for an agency you can genuinely trust—the next step is the same. A conversation. No pressure, no pitch, just honest information about what this process really looks like.”
Made in the USA Surrogacy. Sacramento-based. California-focused. Founded by a surrogate.
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 Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Indio, La Quinta, and all of California.
