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Salinas & Monterey County · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in Salinasand Monterey County
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. Two Level III NICU hospitals in Salinas.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, founded by a former surrogate, serving families and surrogates across California since 2017.
“No pressure, no runaround. They told me what to expect.”
— A MUSA surrogate
Salinas has two Level III NICU hospitals, a comprehensive fertility center 20 minutes away in Monterey, and zero surrogacy agencies with a dedicated page for this city. We're changing that.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento, and we work with surrogates and intended parents throughout California, including Salinas and Monterey County. Our founder, Samantha Giermek, is a former surrogate who built this agency from firsthand experience. Every surrogate in our program is a California resident. Our screening goes deeper than what most agencies publish. And our typical match happens in 3–6 months, not the 6–12+ that has become the industry norm.
Whether you're a woman in Salinas exploring surrogacy or intended parents researching agencies with access to the Central Coast's medical resources, this page has the details other surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Surrogacy in Salinas, California
Salinas is the seat of Monterey County, a Central Coast city of roughly 163,000 people with strong community roots and medical infrastructure that makes it genuinely well-suited for surrogacy. Two hospitals with Level III NICUs in a single mid-size city is uncommon anywhere in California. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinics Serving Salinas
The Fertility & Gynecology Center, Monterey Bay IVF
9833 Blue Larkspur Lane, Monterey
Led by Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, MD, FACOG, with over 20 years of experience. The only comprehensive fertility and IVF center between San Luis Obispo and San Jose, roughly 20 minutes from Salinas. Services include IVF, egg freezing, donor eggs, surrogacy coordination, and genetic testing.
Reproductive Science Center (RSC)
Monterey Monitoring Location
RSC offers ultrasound monitoring and blood work for surrogates cycling with Bay Area fertility clinics, so you can complete routine monitoring close to home instead of driving to San Jose or San Francisco.
For embryo transfer appointments, Bay Area fertility clinics in San Jose, Palo Alto, and San Francisco are 60–90 minutes from Salinas.
Delivery Hospitals in Salinas
Salinas Valley Health Medical Center
Level III NICU, rated “High Performing in Maternity Care” by U.S. News. Partners with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford for critical neonatal transport via a specialized mobile NICU.
Natividad Medical Center
Level III NICU, named one of Newsweek's Best Maternity Hospitals in the U.S. First hospital in Monterey County to offer midwifery services and VBAC.
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.
Salinas gives you all of that plus the Central Coast's best medical infrastructure within minutes. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
Why Families and Surrogates in Salinas Choose Us
Every agency page you visit will tell you they offer “comprehensive screening” and “great compensation.” Here's what we tell you that they won't.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening Built on Thoroughness, Not Shortcuts
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 invest in this process 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 laws. No guessing about which legal framework applies. When your surrogate is a California resident, the entire journey stays within the strongest surrogacy protections in the country.
For surrogates in Salinas, it means working with an agency that understands the Central Coast and keeps your support local.
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. We typically match families in 3–6 months because our surrogate compensation, $65,000–$90,000+, 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. That experience shapes everything from how we screen to how we communicate. Read more about our story.
“I looked into surrogacy for months before I felt ready to apply. What made me choose Made in the USA was how straightforward they were from the first conversation. No pressure, no runaround. They told me what to expect, what the hard parts were, and what the compensation actually looked like.”
— A MUSA surrogate
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Become a Surrogate in Salinas
If you've been thinking about surrogacy, you're probably weighing two things: whether it's meaningful enough to commit your body and time to, and whether it's financially worth it for your family. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we don't ask you to choose between the two. Both matter.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. That's competitive with any agency in California, and it reflects what surrogacy actually demands of you. In a community where the cost of living continues to climb, that compensation can provide real financial stability 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 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. We review your basic qualifications and health history.
Screening
Medical records review, psychological assessment, background check. Our team walks you through every step, and the process is designed to support you, not just evaluate you.
Matching
We connect you with intended parents based on shared values, preferences, and compatibility, not just availability.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic, potentially Monterey Bay IVF just 20 minutes away, confirms readiness for the transfer process.
Legal
Independent legal representation for you, paid for by the intended parents. Your rights and compensation are formalized before anything medical begins.
Pregnancy and delivery
Ongoing support from your case manager throughout, with two Level III NICU hospitals right here in Salinas for delivery.
Surrogacy is physically demanding, emotionally complex, and not for everyone. We're honest about that because you deserve honesty. 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 Salinas
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, coordinate a journey that spans a year or longer, and be available when things don't go as planned.
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, every surrogate completes our comprehensive, third-party screening before she enters our program. Our journey success rate is 99.3%–99.5%, and our typical match timeline of 3–6 months means you're not waiting indefinitely to get started.
Salinas offers intended parents something most mid-size California cities can't: two Level III NICU delivery hospitals, a comprehensive fertility center 20 minutes away in Monterey, and proximity to Bay Area clinics for embryo transfers. For out-of-area families, Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) is roughly 20 minutes from Salinas.
How the Process Works for Intended Parents
Free consultation
A conversation about your goals, timeline, and questions. No pressure, no commitment.
Matching
We identify surrogate candidates who align 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 get independent legal counsel. Contracts are finalized before any medical procedures.
Embryo transfer and pregnancy
Coordinated with your fertility clinic, with ongoing support from our team.
Birth and parentage
California's pre-birth parentage order means you're 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
Salinas 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. And higher surrogate compensation isn't just a line item; it attracts more qualified candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey overall.
For a full breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.
Central Coast Coverage
Serving the Central Coast and Beyond
We serve families and surrogates throughout Salinas, Monterey County, 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 Salinas?
Start with our online application, which takes about 10 minutes. If you meet the basic qualifications, our team walks you through comprehensive screening including medical records review, psychological assessment, and background verification. Surrogates in Salinas have access to Monterey Bay IVF for medical clearance and two Level III NICU hospitals for delivery. See our full become a surrogate.
How much do surrogates make in Salinas, 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, monthly allowances, and milestone-based support throughout the process. See our full compensation details.
What are the requirements to be a surrogate in Salinas?
General 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 full requirements list.
Are there fertility clinics near Salinas that work with surrogacy agencies?
Yes. The Fertility & Gynecology Center, Monterey Bay IVF, led by Dr. Edward Ramirez, is roughly 20 minutes from Salinas and is the only comprehensive fertility and IVF center between San Luis Obispo and San Jose. RSC also has a Monterey monitoring location for surrogates cycling with Bay Area fertility clinics. Bay Area clinics in San Jose and Palo Alto are 60–90 minutes away for embryo transfer appointments.
What hospitals in Salinas can handle surrogacy deliveries?
Salinas has two hospitals with Level III NICUs, which is exceptional for a city this size. Salinas Valley Health Medical Center is rated “High Performing in Maternity Care” by U.S. News and partners with Stanford Children’s Hospital for critical neonatal transport. Natividad Medical Center is one of Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals and offers midwifery services and VBAC.
Start a Conversation
“I looked into surrogacy for months before I felt ready to apply. What made me choose Made in the USA was how straightforward they were from the first conversation. No pressure, no runaround. They told me what to expect, what the hard parts were, and what the compensation actually looked like. That honesty made all the difference.”
— A MUSA surrogate
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies that serve Salinas and the Central Coast, 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 Salinas, Monterey County, the Central Coast, and all of California.
