As you’re deciding what type of surrogacy works best for you, compensation may cross your mind. For instance, what is the compensation for a gestational surrogate, and how does it compare to compensation for a traditional surrogate?

To get free surrogacy information now, you can fill out our online contact form. In the meantime, though, we have assembled this thorough guide that provides some insight on how traditional surrogate compensation compares with its gestational counterpart. Although helping other people realize their lifelong dreams is beautiful, a financial boost is always a nice benefit.

With that being said, here is everything that you need to know about gestational surrogacy compensation vs. traditional surrogacy compensation.

How Much Does a Gestational Carrier Make [vs. How Much Traditional Surrogates Make]?

Whether you have been researching gestational or traditional surrogacy, you may have stumbled upon information about surrogate compensation. This is the payment that you’ll receive for dedicating so much of your time and energy toward helping people become parents. Because of your genetic connection with the child as a traditional surrogate, gestational surrogate pay differs from payment in traditional surrogacy.

In most cases, traditional surrogates receive a smaller compensation rate. Sometimes, they may not even get paid at all. Because traditional surrogates are also biological mothers, gestational surrogacy tends to be significantly safer. Traditional surrogacy is also way more complex and actually illegal in many states. Because of the genetic connection in this form of surrogacy, plenty of states treat traditional surrogacy like adoption, which birth mothers cannot get paid for.

Gestational carriers tend to receive more compensation, but the rate of gestational carrier pay isn’t based solely on state laws. Instead, it depends on the surrogacy agency or professional that you choose to work with.

Every surrogacy professional has their own standard rate for gestational carrier compensation. When they create this rate, they account for factors such as the local area’s cost of living. From a general standpoint, most surrogacy professionals adjust their rates based on what other professionals offer for gestational surrogate compensation.

Still, you may be wondering, what do gestational surrogates get paid? If you’re a first-time surrogate, then you can expect to receive around $30,000 in gestational surrogacy payment. Keep in mind, though, that there will always be surrogacy agencies that offer less or more than that. In other words, you will need to find a surrogacy professional that works best for your preferences and circumstances.

We should mention that some surrogacy agencies may claim that they can offer you as much as $60,000 for gestational surrogate payment. Although this amount of money may be tempting, these exorbitant offers are likely too good to be true. Once you have committed to an agency that offers this amount, you will soon discover that their actual compensation rate is much lower. Be sure to find a trustworthy surrogacy agency that is open and honest about its compensation rates.

Is Traditional Surrogate Compensation Legal in the United States?

Unlike adoption, there are not any federal laws that regulate surrogacy. In other words, your state’s surrogacy laws will determine your journey. Remember, though, that not all states are surrogacy-friendly. But, there are some similarities between adoption financial assistance and traditional surrogate compensation.

The most striking similarity is the set of applicable legal regulations. Based on how your state handles surrogacy, your traditional surrogacy may fall under a technical definition of adoption. As a result of this, your surrogate compensation would be treated as birth mother living expenses in an adoption. In some states, receiving payment for a biological child, otherwise known as traditional surrogacy compensation, can be considered child trafficking from a legal perspective.  You may have guessed it, but this means compensation for traditional surrogacy could be illegal in your state.

You may have a couple of questions: How much money does a gestational surrogate make, and do traditional surrogates get paid more? As we mentioned earlier, the average compensation rate for gestational surrogacy is around $30,000. With traditional surrogacy, though, receiving that amount of money is quite rare. On top of this, there are some legal complications when it comes to traditional surrogacy. For instance, you will have parental rights over the child, so you will have to go through a legal process to ensure that the intended parents have those parental rights.

Many surrogacy professionals are moving away from traditional surrogacy. The vast majority of them work with gestational surrogates because there are far fewer legal complications and risks involved. If you are interested in pursuing traditional surrogacy, then you will need to be comfortable with the possibility of not receiving any traditional surrogate compensation.

What Do Gestational Surrogates Get Paid vs. Traditional Surrogates?

Although money should not be the only incentive you have for choosing surrogacy, a financial boost is always helpful. For example, you can use this money toward accomplishing a long-term goal, such as paying off those student loans or purchasing your first house. But, determining your gestational surrogacy compensation involves more than searching for the highest-paying surrogacy agencies.

To give you a better idea of what you’ll need to consider, here are a few steps you can take:

• Speak with several surrogacy professionals
• Think about your situation
• Do what is best for you after doing the proper research

Each surrogacy professional has their own approach toward compensation, whether you are pursuing traditional or gestational surrogacy. This is why it is always a solid idea to talk to various surrogacy professionals and determine the best fit for your circumstances and needs. It will allow you to compare traditional and gestational carrier compensation offers. Even aside from payment, you can see what professional you feel most comfortable working with. You should base your choice of surrogacy agency on more than their compensation rate.

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You may have some more questions about traditional or gestational surrogacy compensation, and we understand if you do. In that case, you can fill out our online contact form to get more surrogacy information now. We are here to help you, and we’re ready for you whenever you decide to reach out to us.