We know that surrogacy can come with high emotional and financial costs. Our agency offers competitive prices, with installments due at milestones along the journey. Your services with us start with a low retainer.
The total cost your surrogacy journey will depend on circumstances specific to your case. On average, parents working with a first-time surrogate and Midwest providers spend about $135,000 total. There are factors that can increase or decrease that amount.
Our agency fees are staggered across important milestones in your journey. Unless otherwise stated, compensation amounts are determined by the surrogate and are typical of surrogates in the Midwest. Cost estimates for third-party providers are based on Midwest services.
Total agency fees are $25,000 and included in the timeline below.
Before Matching
IVF and associated expenses: $20,000*
Donor material, if needed: $10,000*
Agency Retainer: $4,000
Surrogate pre-screening: included
Before Matching Estimate $34,000 +
Matching
Agency fee installment: $9,000**
Professional insurance review: $400**
Escrow management: $1,850**
Surrogate psychological evaluation: $1,000*
Invasive procedure fee, per occurrence: $250**
Intended parent psychological consultation: $500*
Surrogate medical evaluation: $4,000*
Travel, lost wages, childcare costs: varies**
Matching Estimate $17,000 +
Contracts
Contract drafting and review: $3,500*
Agency fee installment: $6,000**
Medication start fee: $1,000**
Transfer and bed rest fee: $1,000**
Travel expenses for transfer: varies**
Lost wages for transfer: varies**
Pregnancy clothes allowance: $750**
Insurance premiums (12 months): $6,000 – $8,000**^
Insurance maximum out-of-pocket: $1,000 – $10,000**
Surrogate allowance (12 months): $3,600**
Life insurance Premiums (12 months): $675**
Contracts Estimate $68,525 +
Transfer
Agency fee installment: $6,000**
Embryo transfer and monitoring clinic fees: $8,000*
Transfer Estimate $14,000 +
Pregnancy
Parentage documents: $2,500 – $3,000*
Second-parent adoption, if applicable: $1,000 – $1,500*
Medical billing management with a surrogacy insurance specialist, if needed: varies*
Pregnancy Estimate $3,500 +
Postpartum
Postpartum lost wages: varies**
Pumped milk, if applicable: $250/week**
Postpartum Expenses: Total Varies
Variable Surrogate Fees and Expenses**
The following costs may or may not apply to your journey, and they may vary in amount.
Experienced carrier: $10,000
Multiple birth compensation: $5,000
Cesarean section: $2,500
Invasive procedures, such as amnio, CVS, or D&C; per occurrence: $1,000
Fetal reduction, according to contract: $1,500
Loss of uterus, ovary, or fallopian tubes: $1,000 – $2,000
Full hysterectomy: $5,000
Housekeeping, if on bed rest: $150/week
Childcare, if on bed rest or traveling: $20/hour
Lost wages for appointments and bed rest: Based upon terms of agreement
Variable Surrogate Fees and Expenses: Total Varies
* Paid to directly to the provider, not Heartland Surrogacy or the surrogate. Estimates only. Costs vary by provider.
** These costs are withdrawn from the escrow account.
^ Premiums will only need to be paid on policies purchased for surrogacy, not existing policies.
Additional Costs and Explanation of Fees
Agency fees are non-refundable. If your surrogate holds an insurance policy that may cover the surrogate pregnancy, Heartland Surrogacy will arrange to have it reviewed by an independent third party. If the surrogate does not have health insurance that covers a surrogacy pregnancy, we require that the intended parents provide one for the surrogate.
The surrogate base compensation will generally be paid out in ten even installments, beginning upon ultrasound confirmation of heartbeat. Parents can work with the escrow holder of their choice. If a screened surrogate candidate fails a psychological review, Heartland Surrogacy will pay for the psychological review of another candidate as a courtesy.
Agency fees for sibling journeys are based on individual circumstances. We will take into account the length of time between journeys, if you are matched with the same surrogate or a new one, and any major changes to your profile.
Agency fees, third party costs, and surrogate compensation amounts can change at any time. This list is meant for planning purposes and does not constitute a guarantee of exact costs. Efforts have been made to include the majority of expected expenses; the specific circumstances of your journey could entail additional costs. Ultimately, all expenses incurred as the cause of, or in preparation for, a surrogacy pregnancy is the responsibility of the intended parents.