Whether you are an intended parent or a prospective surrogate, you may be searching for a local surrogacy agency that’s close to you. You may know that finding an agency will be an immense help throughout the surrogacy process. But, you don’t know how to go about finding one. That’s why we’re here to help.

You contact us online to get free surrogacy information now. In the meantime, we put together this detailed guide that weighs the pros and cons of local and regional surrogacy professionals. Below, learn more about how local surrogacy agencies work if you’re wondering, “How do I find surrogacy agencies near me?”

What Are Local Surrogacy Agencies? [How They Actually Work]

First, let’s clear up some definitions. Although they are commonly known as surrogacy agencies, most states do not have a system in place for licensing these professionals (like they do for adoption agencies, for example). This is why you’ll see many small surrogacy agencies refer to themselves as a “surrogacy program” or “surrogacy professional” rather than an “agency.” However, all of these terms can generally be used interchangeably. 

Despite the lack of a regulatory system for surrogacy agencies, there are still state laws that regulate the surrogacy process, which can differ from state to state. As a result, local surrogacy agencies will vary somewhat in their requirements and processes. It can be murky territory to navigate, but if you want to find a small surrogacy agency to work with, you can find your state here. Having a better understanding of surrogacy laws in your state can help you choose the best professional.

If the surrogacy laws in your state seem confusing, then it may be worth reaching out to a national surrogacy agency. Instead of focusing on a particular state or region, these professionals work with clients form across the U.S. They are well-versed in state surrogacy laws and can advise you on your best options for completing a safe, legal surrogacy.

For example, if you live in a non-surrogacy-friendly state, a national agency may be able to match you with a surrogate in a state with more friendly surrogacy laws. Many smaller local agencies do not have this capability.

What Services Do Small Surrogacy Agencies Provide?

If you’re reading this article, then you may be wondering, “What services would a surrogate mother agency near me provide?” Though surrogacy professionals do many different things, their main function is to help you complete your surrogacy from start to finish. In other words, they’ll coordinate all the moving parts and do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

For example, they often work with other professionals, such as health clinics and surrogacy attorneys, for each step of the surrogacy experience. On top of this, they also mediate conversations between prospective surrogates and intended parents to help dispel any nerves and break the ice a bit.

Although no two small surrogacy agencies are the same, here are some of the general services they tend to provide:

• A surrogacy screening process to ensure that all parties involved are 100% committed to this path
• Matching services to help intended parents find a surrogate or vice versa
• Emotional counseling so that you are never alone
• Coordination of services so that you don’t have to find your surrogacy attorney or clinic
• And much more

While you contemplate what small surrogacy agency to work with, think about what services each of these organizations provides. Make sure that they fit your preferences and needs so that you can have as smooth of a surrogacy journey as possible.

It’s worth noting that national surrogacy agencies can also provide all these services – and, in many cases, may have access to additional resources that enable them to provide support or services that smaller local agencies can’t match. These include more surrogates and intended parents to choose from, which leads to shorter match times. They also have larger staffs, which may allow for a quicker response to waiting times.

Pros and Cons of Working with Local Surrogacy Agencies

As is the case for most things in life, there are both pros and cons to working with local surrogacy agencies. There are reasons for choosing a local agency over a national one, and there are reasons why you could choose a national agency rather than a small surrogacy agency.

To help you decide what is best for your circumstances, here are some pros and cons of working with small surrogacy agencies:

Pros of Local Surrogacy Agencies

• They have a solid grasp of state laws. One of the benefits of working with a local professional is that they understand your state’s surrogacy laws. As we mentioned earlier, different states have different surrogacy laws, so it can be helpful to have a professional with expertise in your locale.
• They may be able to meet your needs. Because local surrogacy agencies often work with a smaller list of clientele, they could be better suited to match your preferences. Having fewer prospective surrogates and intended parents to work with means they might be able to spend more time with you.
• They might be able to talk to you in person. By working with a small surrogacy agency, you may have the chance to meet the surrogacy professional in person. This could help you develop a relationship with them and ensure that your surrogacy is going as planned.

Cons of Local Surrogacy Agencies

• They may not be as experienced as national surrogacy agencies. Smaller, regional agencies work with fewer clients, so they are likely not as experienced as their national counterparts. You’ll want to make sure that the professional you work with has helped complete many successful surrogacies in the past.
• They have fewer intended parents and prospective surrogates to choose from. When you work with a national agency, you’ll have a much wider pool to select from because they have a greater reach. Small surrogacy agencies, as a result, give you a smaller chance of finding the perfect match.
• They have a small team of staff members. From a general standpoint, local surrogacy agencies have smaller teams. National agencies, on the other hand, tend to have much larger teams, which often means they may be better equipped to help you and have better communication.
• They may not have as thorough of a screening program. One of the most crucial parts of this process is surrogacy screening. Because smaller agencies aren’t quite as experienced as national ones, they might not have as refined of a screening process for prospective surrogates.
• They might not offer unlimited re-matching. Small surrogacy agencies tend to have smaller budgets. As a result, they likely will not be able to afford unlimited re-matching with refundable agency fees. This is a benefit that some of the best national surrogacy agencies offer, but it’s uncommon for local surrogacy agencies to provide this.
• They might not have the same qualifications. Many small, local surrogacy agencies are run by former surrogates who don’t necessarily have a professional background in family-building. Larger national agencies are more likely to employ licensed social workers and mental health professionals who can provide the qualified support and professional services you need.

We understand if this is a lot of information to soak in at once. That’s why you can contact us online at any time to get more surrogacy information now. We would be happy to answer any more questions you may have about local surrogacy agencies.