Choosing to grow your family through surrogacy is a significant and personal decision that requires thoughtful planning—emotionally, legally, and financially.

If you’re a first-time intended parent, you may be wondering how much do surrogacy agencies cost and what exactly those costs cover.

Fill out our simple form to get an overview of what you can expect from a surrogacy agency’s costs and fee structure.

How Much Do Surrogacy Agencies Cost?

Before diving into pricing, it’s helpful to understand what’s included in the total cost of agency-assisted surrogacy. Most agencies offer bundled services that include screening and matching, legal contract coordination, case management, and medical support.

These elements work together to ensure the process is safe, ethical, and legally sound for everyone involved.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) states that full-service programs also include psychological evaluations and escrow administration, both of which add structure and transparency.

This holistic framework is a key difference between working with an agency and managing the process independently.

What You Can Expect to Pay

According to estimates from American Surrogacy and Circle Surrogacy, agency-assisted surrogacy typically costs between $100,000 and $200,000—though some components may be tax-deductible depending on your circumstances.

This figure includes both agency coordination and third-party services like surrogate compensation, fertility clinic procedures, legal services, and psychological screening. Some agencies present these as an all-inclusive package, while others separate them.

Understanding this breakdown helps intended parents compare agencies and plan their budget effectively.

Where you live also affects the total cost. States like California and Illinois often see higher fees due to more complex laws, a high demand for surrogacy, and regional compensation rates.

Why the Investment Matters

Surrogacy is a collaborative process that requires coordination among legal, medical, psychological, and logistical professionals.

The associated costs help ensure this coordination is done correctly—protecting all parties at each stage. Services like screening, case management, legal guidance, and clinical oversight are often integrated into agency offerings to make the process more predictable and supportive.

According to ASRM, these components are essential to maintaining ethical standards and emotional safety. In this way, the financial investment isn’t just about services—it’s also about securing peace of mind as you build your family.

What Do Surrogacy Agencies Provide?

Surrogacy involves much more than clinical care. Agencies play a central role in guiding and supporting everyone involved, making the experience smoother, more coordinated, and emotionally manageable.

Below is a closer look at the core services agencies provide—and why each one matters.

Screening and Matching

Agencies thoughtfully guide intended parents and surrogates through in-depth medical and psychological evaluations to ensure mutual readiness, legal eligibility, and emotional preparedness, in alignment with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) guidelines.

They also facilitate matching based on legal, medical, and personal compatibility to build a foundation of trust and alignment.

Legal and Administrative Support

Agencies partner with attorneys who draft and review legal contracts that define clear expectations, responsibilities, and protections for both parties. These contracts follow state-specific laws and ASRM guidelines, ensuring legal clarity and minimizing the risk of disputes throughout the process.

Coordination and Case Management

From the earliest planning phases to post-delivery follow-up, agencies coordinate appointments, manage communication, and track milestones—freeing both intended parents and surrogates to focus on their emotional and physical well-being.

According to Family Equality and Circle Surrogacy, this structured support reduces confusion and ensures compliance across legal and medical domains.

Insurance and Escrow Oversight

Agencies help secure essential protections such as surrogate health and life insurance while managing escrow accounts to ensure all financial obligations are met accurately and on time.

What Factors Influence the Price?

• Location: Legal environments and cost of living vary widely.
• Agency Type: Full-service agencies charge more, but handle more.
• Experience: Well-established teams may cost more but are often more efficient.
• Compensation Rates: Local trends and surrogate experience affect this line item.

Why Agencies Are Worth the Cost

Explore our agency comparison guide to see how full-service support can reduce delays and protect your investment.

Agencies help minimize the emotional and logistical stress of surrogacy while reducing the risk of legal or financial complications. Their structure is designed to make the process safer and more predictable for everyone involved.

Agencies streamline the surrogacy process by coordinating legal, medical, and logistical tasks, freeing intended parents to focus on preparing for parenthood.

Should You Use an Agency or Go Independent?

When you work with an agency, you’re paying for services like legal guidance, background checks, and support. If you choose to go the independent route, you’ll be responsible for sourcing and managing these steps yourself.

While it may save money, it also introduces greater risk and complexity.

For many intended parents, agency support is worth the added cost.

Cost-Conscious Ways to Use an Agency

Many surrogacy agencies offer modular or à la carte service models, allowing intended parents to select the support they need while still benefiting from professional guidance. This flexibility can help reduce overall costs without compromising the integrity or safety of the process.

Choose What You Need

Some agencies offer customizable service tiers that allow intended parents to opt out of components like travel planning or emotional support services when those needs are already met through personal networks.

This approach allows families to tailor their experience while preserving access to the core legal and medical protections that ensure a secure surrogacy journey.

Look for Protection Programs

Financial safeguards like refund guarantees and shared-risk programs, offered by agencies such as American Surrogacy, provide peace of mind if the surrogacy process is disrupted or doesn’t progress as expected.

These programs help manage financial uncertainty by offering partial refunds or reduced fees for future cycles, depending on eligibility.

Use Financing Options

Ask whether the agency partners with specialized fertility financing providers that offer structured payment plans to ease the financial burden.

Platforms like Sunfish and CapexMD work directly with agencies to deliver flexible, family-focused funding solutions that are designed specifically for the needs of intended parents.

How Can You Pay for Surrogacy?

• Grants: Certain nonprofit organizations offer grants specifically for intended parents, especially those from underrepresented communities, to help offset surrogacy expenses. These can be competitive but provide meaningful financial relief when awarded.
• Loans: Fertility-focused lending programs and personal loans can make large surrogacy-related payments more manageable by spreading costs over time. These are often offered through agency partnerships or specialized lenders.
• Employer Benefits: A growing number of employers now offer family-building benefits through providers like Carrot Fertility and Progyny, which may include partial or full coverage of agency fees, legal costs, or medical procedures related to surrogacy.

What to Ask When Evaluating Agencies

Here’s a helpful list to bring to your consultation:

• What does your base fee include?
• Are legal or surrogate payments handled separately?
• Are there refund options or cancellation protections?
• How are payments scheduled?
• Can I select specific services only?
• Do you work with financing partners?

Asking these questions helps clarify expectations and ensures you feel confident in your decision.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Surrogacy is a deeply personal experience, and partnering with a qualified agency provides structure, legal protection, and emotional support that help navigate the journey with clarity.

If you’re ready to begin, we’re here to help you move forward.

Complete our brief contact form to begin your surrogacy journey with a trusted team dedicated to guiding you through every step—providing clear information, ongoing support, and careful stewardship of your time and resources.