Surrogacy Costs: A Guide for Intended Parents

Curious about the cost of surrogacy? You’re not alone. Many intended parents start their research by asking, “How much does surrogacy cost?” Truthfully, it’s challenging to pin down an exact number due to the various factors involved. However, understanding the details that affect the overall expense can help you prepare for this exciting journey with confidence.

"Surrogacy Costs: A guide for intended parents" and "Heartland Surrogacy" logo; image of jar with coins and plant

Total costs are roughly estimated at $125,000 in the Midwest and higher in other parts of the country.

From medical procedures to legal fees, each step of the surrogacy process brings its own set of costs and considerations. We’ve broken down the following list by journey milestones and have included details of what may increase or decrease your expenses. This cost timeline also outlines when certain amounts are be due.

At Heartland Surrogacy, the surrogate base compensation and variable fees, (such as the fee for embryo transfer, loss of organs, etc.) are set by the surrogate and agreed to in the Gestational Carrier Agreement. Aside from agency and surrogate fees, all expenses are made to third-party providers. The approximate costs below reflect typical Midwest prices.  

Before Matching

Embryo creation is often the first step in a surrogacy journey. Many medical insurance policies do not cover these procedures, so intended parents often pay for them out of pocket. Prices and procedures vary across fertility clinics; some may offer discount packages for multiple services. While we have many Intended Parents come to us with embryos created or in process, you can also sign on with our agency prior to choosing a clinic or creating embryos.

  • Basic IVF cycle: $10,000-$15,000

  • Medication: $3,000-$5,000

  • Preimplantation genetic screening: $4,000-$5,000

  • Donor material (egg, sperm, embryo): $10,000+ for medical, compensation, travel, etc. [This amount is not included in the total estimation.]

  • Agency retainer: $4,000

Matching

After a successful match meeting, your surrogate (and their partner, if applicable) will need to complete psychological and medical evaluations. The appointments will include a combination of psychological interviews, psychological testing, blood work, and physical exams as determined by your fertility clinic. 

You will need to secure an escrow service and fund the account with at least $5,000 to cover the expenses involved in screening. Invasive procedures for the surrogate candidate, such as a sonohysterogram, will involve compensation. Expenses can also include travel, lost wages, and childcare costs. 

Here is a summary of what you can expect after matching:

  • Invasive procedure fee: $250

  • Psychological evaluation: $500

  • Medical evaluation: $1,500-$2,500

  • Travel expenses, lost wages, childcare costs: varies

  • Escrow management: $1,850

  • Matching agency fee installment, not in escrow: $9,000

Contracts

Once your surrogate is medically cleared, you will need to retain attorneys for your journey. Typically, the intended parent(s)’ attorney drafts the surrogate contract for a flat fee and the surrogate’s attorney reviews it at an hourly rate. A good match typically results in less negotiating, which helps minimize legal expenses.

After signing the contract, you will need to fund your escrow account with the remaining expected expenses for your journey. Most surrogacy agreements require that this include the surrogate’s full compensation, health insurance premiums and maximum out-of-pocket amounts (if applicable), and an additional “buffer” to cover variable and unexpected expenses.

  • Contract drafting and reviewing: $3,000

  • Escrow account funding: $60,000-$80,000

  • Contracts agency fee installment, not in escrow account: $6,000

Transfer

Your surrogate’s transfer fee and related expenses (travel, lost wages, childcare) will be drawn from the escrow account during the transfer stage. You can expect to pay for the medical care directly to your clinic. Depending on your surrogate’s location, monitoring appointments may be at a different clinic.

You can expect the following costs during the transfer stage:

  • Medication start fee: $1,000

  • Transfer and best rest fee: $1,000

  • Travel expenses, lost wages, childcare costs: varies

  • Pregnancy clothes allowance: $500

  • Embryo transfer clinic fees: $1,500-$2,000

  • Monitoring clinic fees: $5,000

  • Life insurance Premiums (12 months): $200-$400

  • Health insurance premiums (12 months): $4,800-$7,000

  • Health insurance maximum out of pocket: $1,000-$8,000

  • Surrogate allowance (12 months): $2,400

  • Transfer agency fee installment, not in escrow account: $6,000

Pregnancy

Your surrogate’s base compensation and surrogacy-related expenses will be drawn from the escrow account during pregnancy. Near the end of the pregnancy, the attorneys will start the paperwork to establish parentage. The invoice for this work will be paid through the escrow account.

  • Parentage documents: $2,500-$3,000

  • Transfer and best rest fee: $1,000

  • Second-parent adoption (if applicable): $1,000-$1,500

  • Medical billing management: varies

Birth and Postpartum

Approximate delivery expenses are included in the initial escrow account funding. Postpartum lost wages and related expenses, as detailed in your contract, are also drawn from the account. The escrow management company and Heartland Surrogacy will monitor your account balance and let you know if additional funds are needed.

Your escrow account will stay open for a minimum of 1 year postpartum. Our agency ensures that all surrogate-related bills are paid for before it is closed. All newborn medical care is the responsibility of the parents and is billed separately.

  • Postpartum fees (lost wages, childcare, additional compensation for medical procedures or complications, etc.): varies

  • Pumped Milk: $250/week

Visual Surrogacy Expense Estimates

Occasionally, having a visual depiction of anticipated surrogacy costs can offer valuable clarity. The pie chart presented below provides a simplified breakdown of the expenses one can anticipate in this process.

Pie chart of surrogacy expenses estimates; information on how much surrogacy costs

Proactively Plan Ahead

Delving into financial matters often fails to ignite excitement, yet the significance of establishing a comprehensive financial strategy in the realm of surrogacy cannot be overstated. It’s not merely about allocating funds; it’s about forecasting expenses, understanding potential financial risks, and devising contingency measures. By proactively planning ahead, you can mitigate uncertainty and navigate the process with greater confidence and ease.