Becoming a surrogate in Hawaii gives you the opportunity to help another family experience parenthood while earning meaningful compensation for your commitment. Surrogates in Hawaii may receive $65,000–$100,000+ in total compensation, depending on their experience and the agency they choose.

If you’ve had a healthy pregnancy and meet certain medical and lifestyle requirements, you may qualify to become a surrogate. From screening and matching with intended parents to pregnancy and delivery, an experienced surrogacy agency can help you navigate each step with competitive compensation, legal protections and personalized support.

Connect with a surrogacy professional today to explore your eligibility, learn about your potential compensation and find an agency that supports your goals.

What Are the Requirements to Be a Surrogate in Hawaii?

Hawaii law requires gestational carriers to be at least 21 years old, have previously given birth, complete medical and mental health evaluations, and have independent legal representation.

Surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics also have their own eligibility standards, generally based on guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). While requirements vary by program, common qualifications include:

• Age Range: Most programs accept surrogates between 21 and 40 years old, although some clinics may consider candidates up to age 42.
• Pregnancy History: You must have experienced at least one healthy pregnancy without major complications. Some agencies also require you to be currently raising a child.
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Many programs require a BMI between 19 and 32, although acceptable ranges vary by clinic.
• Health and Lifestyle: You should be in good physical and mental health, avoid tobacco and recreational drugs, and have no unmanaged medical conditions that could affect pregnancy.
• Financial and Household Stability: Agencies typically require a stable living environment and financial independence without relying on surrogacy compensation for basic living expenses.
• Background Checks: You and other adults in your household may need to complete criminal background checks as part of the screening process.

How to Become a Surrogate in Hawaii

The surrogacy process in Hawaii typically takes around 12–18 months from application to delivery, although timelines vary. During this time, you’ll complete screening, match with intended parents, undergo fertility treatment and receive ongoing support throughout your pregnancy. Here’s what you can expect from each step:

• Step 1: Apply to Become a Surrogate: Start by submitting an application to a surrogacy agency. You’ll provide information about your health, pregnancy history and lifestyle to determine whether you meet the initial requirements.
• Step 2: Complete Surrogate Screening: Your agency will review your medical records, conduct background checks and arrange a psychological evaluation to assess your physical and emotional readiness.
• Step 3: Match with Intended Parents: You’ll review profiles of intended parents who share your preferences and goals. If there’s mutual interest, your agency will arrange a meeting so you can get to know each other before agreeing to move forward.
• Step 4: Receive Medical Clearance: The intended parents’ fertility clinic will conduct additional testing to confirm you’re medically ready for embryo transfer. Depending on where you live in Hawaii and the clinic’s location, you may need to travel to another island or the mainland, with eligible travel expenses covered by the intended parents.
• Step 5: Complete the Gestational Carrier Agreement: You’ll work with an independent surrogacy attorney to review and finalize a legal contract outlining compensation, medical decisions, responsibilities and parental rights before beginning fertility medications.
• Step 6: Complete the Embryo Transfer: Once your contract is finalized and the necessary funds are secured, you’ll begin fertility medications to prepare your body for embryo transfer. The fertility clinic will then transfer an embryo and schedule follow-up testing to confirm whether pregnancy occurs.
• Step 7: Continue Through Pregnancy and Delivery: After being released from the fertility clinic, you’ll receive routine prenatal care from your local Hawaii OB/GYN. You’ll receive compensation according to your agreement and work with your agency and intended parents to prepare for delivery.

How Much Do Surrogates Make in Hawaii?

Surrogates in Hawaii can earn $65,000–$100,000+ in total compensation, depending on their experience, the agency they work with and their individual agreement. First-time surrogates typically earn $50,000–$65,000 in base compensation, while experienced surrogates may earn $65,000–$85,000.

Your total compensation package includes more than base pay. Most surrogacy agencies offer additional payments and reimbursements to cover the expenses associated with pregnancy and the surrogacy process.

• Base Compensation: The primary payment you receive for carrying a pregnancy. This is typically paid in monthly installments after pregnancy is confirmed, according to your contract.
• Additional Bonuses: Payments for certain medical procedures or circumstances, such as embryo transfers, injectable medications or carrying multiples.
• Monthly Allowances: Additional funds to cover smaller expenses throughout your journey, including prenatal vitamins, maternity clothing and other pregnancy-related needs.
• Lost Wage Reimbursement: Compensation for eligible income lost due to medical appointments, pregnancy complications or recovery after delivery. Some agreements also cover lost wages for a spouse or support person.
• Medical and Surrogacy Expenses: Coverage for eligible fertility treatments, prenatal care, delivery costs, insurance expenses and other approved surrogacy-related expenses.

Living in Hawaii can also affect your compensation package, particularly when it comes to travel and living expenses. If your fertility clinic is located on another island or the mainland, your agreement should account for airfare, accommodations, meals and other necessary travel costs.

An experienced surrogacy agency can help you compare compensation packages and understand which expenses are covered before you commit to a match.

Surrogacy Laws in Hawaii

Gestational surrogacy is legal in Hawaii under the state’s updated Uniform Parentage Act, which took effect January 1, 2026. The law recognizes compensated surrogacy agreements and establishes legal protections for surrogates and intended parents. Key legal considerations include:

• Enforceable Agreements: Compensated gestational surrogacy contracts are legally enforceable when they meet state requirements, including independent legal representation for both parties.
• Medical Decision-Making: Surrogates retain the right to make decisions about their own health and pregnancy, regardless of the terms outlined in their agreement.
• Establishing Parentage: Hawaii allows courts to issue parentage orders before or after delivery to recognize the intended parents as the child’s legal parents, regardless of genetic connection.

These protections help clarify your rights and responsibilities before you begin a surrogacy pregnancy.

Gestational Carrier Agreements in Hawaii

A gestational carrier agreement protects your rights and establishes clear expectations between you and the intended parents. Under Hawaii law, the contract must address compensation-related expenses, medical decision-making, legal parentage, confidentiality and the circumstances under which the agreement can be terminated.

Hawaii’s Legal Requirements for Gestational Carrier Agreements

Under HRS §584A-903, your agreement must meet these requirements:

• Independent Legal Counsel: You and the intended parents must have separate legal representation, with your attorney’s fees paid by the intended parents.
• Timing: The agreement must be finalized before fertility medications or other surrogacy-related medical procedures begin, excluding required evaluations.
• Signatures: All parties, including your spouse if married, must sign the agreement, with signatures notarized or properly witnessed.
• Hawaii Connection: At least one party must reside in Hawaii or, if none does, qualifying medical or mental health services must occur in the state, with all parties consenting to Hawaii court jurisdiction.

Surrogacy Attorneys in Hawaii

Hawaii requires surrogates and intended parents to have separate legal representation when entering a gestational carrier agreement. An attorney experienced in Hawaii reproductive law can review your contract, explain your rights and help ensure the agreement meets state requirements.

• Fertility Connections Hawaii (Honolulu): Led by attorney Caprice R. Itagaki, this firm handles gestational carrier agreements, assisted reproduction law and parentage proceedings.
• Schlack Ito (Honolulu): Attorney Carol E. Lockwood represents clients in gestational surrogacy, assisted reproductive technology agreements and legal parentage matters throughout Hawaii.

How to Choose a Surrogacy Agency in Hawaii

Choosing the right surrogacy agency means finding a program that prioritizes your safety, financial protection and personal preferences. When comparing agencies, look for:

• Transparent Compensation: Competitive, negotiable compensation with clear payment schedules and expense coverage.
• Thorough Screening: Comprehensive intended-parent screening, including FBI background checks and financial assessments.
• Consistent Support: A dedicated surrogacy professional who coordinates your journey and provides access to mental health resources.
• Independent Legal Representation: The ability to choose your own attorney to protect your interests throughout the process.
• Financial Protection: Secure escrow management and a thorough review of your insurance coverage.

Questions to Ask a Hawaii Surrogacy Agency Before You Apply

Before choosing an agency, ask questions that help you compare compensation, protections and support:

• What are your total and base compensation rates, and can they be negotiated?
• When are payments made, and how are expenses, insurance and escrow funds managed?
• How do you screen intended parents, and will I have the final say in choosing my match?
• Can I choose my own attorney, and who covers the legal fees?
• What happens if I need to rematch with different intended parents?
• Will I have a dedicated coordinator, and what mental health support is available?
• How are pregnancy complications, lost wages and unexpected expenses handled?
• Will you coordinate and cover necessary travel between islands or to the mainland?

Surrogacy Agencies in Hawaii

Several local and national surrogacy agencies work with women in Hawaii, offering screening, matching, compensation and support throughout the process. Options include:

• American Surrogacy (National): A full-service agency offering competitive compensation, dedicated surrogacy specialists, nationwide matching and financial protections.
• Hawaii Surrogacy Center (Honolulu): A locally based agency providing surrogate screening, matching, medical coordination and personalized support throughout Hawaii.
• Fertility Source Companies (National): A national agency offering gestational surrogacy programs in Hawaii, including matching, case management and fertility clinic coordination.

Take the Next Step Toward Becoming a Surrogate in Hawaii

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate in Hawaii, finding the right agency is an important first step. An experienced surrogacy professional can help you determine whether you qualify, explain your potential compensation and explore programs that fit your needs and preferences.

Connect with a surrogacy professional today to compare available Hawaii surrogacy programs, get answers to your questions and take the next step toward helping another family experience parenthood.