Pursuing surrogacy in California is a wonderful family-building option. As one of the leading states in the surrogacy world, working with surrogacy agencies in California can help you reach your goals of parenthood.

You can contact us today to learn more about surrogacy in California and how the process works.

Our surrogacy professionals will put you in contact with a surrogacy specialist who can answer any surrogacy questions you have. Continue reading to find out how to become a surrogate in California, how intended parents can find a surrogate to work with, and more.

What is Surrogacy in California?

Gestational surrogacy in California is common. With gestational surrogacy, a gestational carrier or surrogate carries the intended parents’ baby. Surrogacy professionals, including fertility clinics, lawyers and California surrogacy agencies, help intended parents and surrogates complete the process.

What Do Surrogacy Agencies in California Do?

Surrogacy agencies in California ensure all surrogacies are completed safely and successfully and that the intended parents’ and surrogates’ rights are protected.

Professionals who work at the best surrogacy agencies in California make sure that:

• Screenings happen promptly
• You match with the right intended family or surrogate
• A surrogacy attorney creates your legal contract
• And more

If you’d like to speak with a professional at a surrogacy agency in California, here are a few you could consider:

• American Surrogacy
• Coastal Surrogacy
• Building Families, Inc.
• Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute
• Same Love Surrogacy

How Surrogacy Agencies in California Help Create Matches

Surrogacy agencies in California can match you with qualified intended parents or surrogates in California or another state.

Generally, agencies that have shorter wait times benefit surrogates and intended parents. Larger, more experienced agencies like American Surrogacy have an average match time of 30 to 90 days. This agency can maintain these times by:

• Prescreening all surrogates and intended parents
• In-house marketing that helps attract the right surrogate partner
• Having a 1:1 intended parent-to-surrogate ratio.

How Intended Parents Can Start the Surrogacy Process in California

Intended parents can start their journey by reaching out to a professional at a surrogacy agency in California. When an intended parent reaches out to an agency, they can expect to go through the following steps:

• Step 1: Decide that surrogacy is the right family-building option for you and your partner
• Step 2: Prepare for the surrogacy journey
• Step 3: Find a surrogate to carry your child
• Step 4: Create a surrogacy contract that protects your and the surrogate’s rights
• Step 5: Start the medical surrogacy process (you have the option of using donor gametes)
• Step 6: Welcome your child and enjoy parenthood

Surrogacy Costs for Intended Parents in California

Generally, surrogacy in California costs between $120,000 and $250,000. For reference, American Surrogacy offers a fixed-fee structure that totals $149,900. This covers agency services, gestational carrier fees and medical and legal fees.

How to Become a Surrogate in California

People who want to become a surrogate in California can start the process by following these seven steps.

• Step 1: Consider if you are comfortable carrying a baby that’s not yours and if you’re OK committing at least a year to the surrogacy medical process and pregnancy.
• Step 2: Pick a surrogacy agency in California that can help set up your surrogacy screenings, match you with an intended family, and support you throughout the surrogacy process.
• Step 3: A surrogacy attorney will represent your interests in the surrogacy process. Your agency can connect you with a trusted attorney.
• Step 4: Your surrogacy specialist will help guide you through the sometimes lengthy embryo creation and transplant process.
• Step 5: Once the baby is born, the surrogacy agency and attorney will ensure all paperwork is finalized, and you’ll receive your final base pay installment. 

What’s the Highest Paying Surrogacy in California?

All surrogates can earn money for their services in California.

Generally, first-time surrogates get $45,000-50,000 for their time and energy; second or third-time surrogates can receive more, up to $75,000 at agencies like American Surrogacy.

Additionally, every surrogate is compensated for their surrogacy- and pregnancy-related expenses.

Is Surrogacy Legal in California?

Yes. Surrogacy is legal in California, and a gestational surrogacy contract is protected and enforced under California law. This means thatsurrogates can earn fair base compensation for their time, and the intended parents’ parental rights are protected.

California is very surrogacy-friendly, and American Surrogacy has years of experience helping intended parents and surrogates fulfill their surrogacy dreams in the state.

Next Steps Toward Working With a Surrogacy Agency in California