Now accepting new surrogate applications in California—See if you qualify →
Surrogacy Costs
Understanding the investment in your family
Complete transparency — here's exactly where every dollar goes, with no hidden fees or surprise costs.
Total estimated investment: $160,000 – $175,000
Total Investment
Every dollar accounted for
Total Estimated Cost
$160,000 – $175,000
Actual costs vary based on location, insurance, medical needs, and individual circumstances.
Agency Fees
~25%
Surrogate Compensation
~44%
Medical & IVF Costs
~19%
Legal Fees
~7%
Insurance
~9%
Detailed Breakdown
Where your investment goes
Each cost category reflects real services, real professionals, and real protections for your family.
Agency Fees
$40,000 – $50,000
Your agency fee covers the end-to-end management of your surrogacy journey — so you can focus on becoming a parent, not on logistics.
What's Included
- Surrogate screening & matching
- Dedicated case management throughout your journey
- 24/7 support services
- Coordination of all parties — medical, legal, and financial
Our agency handles the logistics so you can focus on your family.
Surrogate Compensation
$75,000 – $95,000
Our surrogates receive industry-leading compensation — this attracts the most qualified, committed candidates to our program.
What's Included
- Base compensation: $65,000 (first-time) / $70,000 (experienced)
- Monthly allowance: $350/month (capped at $3,500)
- Med/psych screening benefit: $1,500
- Maternity clothing: $1,000
- Housekeeping: $200/month (capped at $2,000)
- Medication start + embryo transfer: $2,000 per cycle
- Multiples bonus: $8,000 per additional child
Some benefits like lost wages, childcare, and travel are reimbursed as needed and vary by surrogate.
Medical & IVF Costs
$25,000 – $40,000
Covers the full medical process — from embryo transfer through delivery — coordinated with top fertility clinics.
What's Included
- IVF cycle and embryo transfer
- Fertility medications
- Prenatal care and monitoring
- Delivery and hospital costs
Variable based on clinic, location, and number of IVF cycles needed.
Legal Fees
$10,000 – $15,000
Covers independent legal counsel for both parties, ensuring everyone's rights are fully protected.
What's Included
- Surrogacy contract drafting and review
- Parentage orders
- Birth certificate processing
Both intended parents and the surrogate have independent attorneys — this is non-negotiable for everyone's protection.
Insurance
$10,000 – $20,000
Ensures comprehensive coverage for your surrogate throughout the pregnancy and delivery.
What's Included
- Health insurance for surrogate (if needed)
- Life insurance policy for surrogate
We professionally review every surrogate's insurance policy to understand coverage. If additional coverage is needed, we present options and costs upfront.
Insurance Review
How we handle insurance
We professionally review every surrogate's insurance policy to understand coverage. If additional coverage is needed, we present options and costs upfront so there are no surprises.
Payment Schedule
You won't pay everything upfront
Costs are spread across the entire journey. Here's when each payment happens.
Agency Retainer
At contract signing
Agency fee is paid when you officially begin the journey.
Escrow Funding
Before medical process
A trust account is established to hold funds for surrogate compensation and expenses.
Medical Costs
As incurred
IVF and medical expenses are billed by your fertility clinic as procedures happen.
Legal Fees
Contract phase & near birth
Attorney fees are paid during contract drafting and again when parentage orders are filed.
Surrogate Compensation
Monthly during pregnancy
Your surrogate receives monthly payments from escrow throughout the pregnancy.
Financing Options
How families fund their journey
Many of our parents explore multiple financing options. We're happy to discuss what works for your situation.
Personal Savings
Many families use savings or investment accounts as a primary funding source.
Home Equity
Home equity lines of credit offer competitive rates for homeowners.
Fertility Loans
Specialized lenders like Future Family and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer surrogacy financing.
Employer Benefits
A growing number of employers now include surrogacy in their fertility benefits packages.
Grants & Nonprofits
Organizations like Men Having Babies and the Baby Quest Foundation offer financial assistance.
Payment Plans
We work with families to create payment schedules that align with the journey timeline.
Understanding the Landscape
What affects surrogacy cost
Factors That May Increase Cost
California or high-cost-of-living state
Higher surrogate compensation and medical costs
Multiple IVF cycles needed
Each additional cycle adds to medical expenses
No surrogacy-friendly insurance
Requires purchasing a separate health policy
Twin or multiple pregnancy
Additional compensation and medical care
Factors That Can Reduce Cost
Surrogate with compatible insurance
We review every policy upfront — compatible coverage can reduce costs
Surrogacy-friendly state
Simpler legal process means lower legal fees
Successful first embryo transfer
Avoids additional IVF cycle expenses
Existing embryos
Embryo creation costs may already be covered
Domestic vs. international surrogacy: While international surrogacy may appear less expensive upfront, U.S.-based surrogacy offers stronger legal protections, higher medical standards, and greater certainty of parentage. Many families find that the additional investment in domestic surrogacy provides invaluable peace of mind.
The excellent services Made in the USA Surrogacy provides and the knowledge as well as experience of Samantha, I am continuing working with her for my 2nd baby. There are a lot of options out there and I still decided to choose Made in the USA Surrogacy for another round of surrogacy.
Sam Tran
Intended Parent · Google Review
Common Questions
Surrogacy cost FAQs
Honest answers to the financial questions every intended parent asks.
Surrogacy involves compensating a woman for a year-plus commitment of her body and time, paying specialized medical professionals for IVF and prenatal care, securing legal protections for everyone involved, and coordinating dozens of moving pieces across months. Every dollar goes toward ensuring a safe, ethical, and supported journey for both the surrogate and the intended parents. When you break the total down, each component reflects the true cost of the professional services and care involved.
No. Transparency is one of our core values. During your initial consultation, we provide a detailed cost estimate that covers every anticipated expense. While some costs can vary — for example, if additional IVF cycles are needed or if complications arise during pregnancy — we discuss these possibilities upfront so you can plan accordingly. There are no surprise agency fees, administrative charges, or hidden markups.
Yes, many intended parents use a combination of financing options. These include personal savings, home equity lines of credit, specialized fertility loans (companies like Future Family and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer surrogacy-specific financing), employer fertility benefits, and grants from organizations that support family building. We're happy to discuss financing strategies during your consultation and can connect you with resources.
We professionally review every surrogate's insurance policy to understand coverage. If additional coverage is needed, we present options and costs upfront so there are no surprises. Not all insurance plans cover surrogacy, so this review is an important part of the process.
California is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the U.S., which can actually simplify — and sometimes reduce — legal costs. However, the cost of living in California means surrogate compensation and medical expenses may be on the higher end of the range. Overall, California surrogacy typically falls within our $160,000+ estimate. Your specific costs will depend on your surrogate's location within the state, insurance situation, and medical needs.
Our estimate covers the core surrogacy journey. Costs that may be additional include: egg or sperm donation if needed, embryo creation and storage at your fertility clinic (if not already completed), travel expenses for out-of-state parents attending appointments, and any unexpected medical complications. We outline all potential additional costs during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Payments are spread across the entire journey, not due all at once. The agency retainer is paid at signing. An escrow account is funded before the medical process begins, and surrogate compensation is paid monthly from this account throughout pregnancy. Medical costs are billed as they're incurred through your IVF clinic. Legal fees are paid during the contract phase and again near birth. Your case manager provides a detailed payment schedule during onboarding.
Tax implications vary by situation. We recommend consulting with a tax professional who can advise based on your specific circumstances.
Ready to understand your specific costs?
Every family's situation is different. Let's build a plan that works for yours.
Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation and get a personalized cost estimate based on your unique circumstances.
