intended parent
faq
General Surrogacy Information
How much does surrogacy cost?
Because many factors influence the cost of surrogacy, it’s challenging to provide a one-size-fits-all estimate. On average, a surrogacy journey that is successful on the first embryo transfer and has no medical complications costs around $200,000. This estimate includes medical expenses, surrogate compensation, agency fees, and legal costs. However, your total cost may be higher or lower depending on your unique circumstances—for example, whether you already have frozen embryos or require an egg or sperm donor.
At Heartland Surrogacy, our surrogates set their own compensation, with a recommended minimum base of $50,000. Additional compensation is provided for experienced surrogates or those carrying multiples. Except for our agency fee, all cost estimates are subject to change based on industry standards and the specifics of your journey.
Our agency fee is $35,000, paid in installments throughout the process.
Why should I choose working with an agency versus going independent?
Choosing to work with an agency offers protection, expertise, and ongoing support throughout your surrogacy journey. One of the biggest advantages is reduced risk for all parties involved. Agencies carefully prescreen surrogates to ensure they’re physically, emotionally, and logistically prepared, and provide guidance and support every step of the way.
Surrogacy involves many moving parts—insurance complexities, legal coordination, escrow management, communication with multiple providers, and more. Most intended parents and surrogates aren’t equipped to handle all of this alone. An experienced agency team knows how to navigate challenges, solve problems quickly, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Beyond logistics, an agency also gives you the benefit of having someone manage the details, help you make informed decisions, and offer emotional support when needed. In short, working with an agency provides peace of mind and allows you to focus on what matters most—building your family.
Why should I choose Heartland Surrogacy?
At Heartland Surrogacy, we offer a personalized, hands-on experience with a focus on building strong, supportive relationships. As a small, dedicated team, we take the time to truly get to know you and your surrogate—and we’re available whenever you need us. Co-founded by a three-time gestational surrogate in Iowa, our agency is rooted in the values of family, health, and service.
We tailor every journey to ensure you and your surrogate receive the care, support, and transparency you deserve. With our deep experience, we provide compassionate, expert case management from start to finish.
We’re also deeply committed to thoughtful, meaningful matches. We work hard to connect you with a gestational surrogate who shares your goals and is fully prepared for the journey ahead. Our surrogates undergo a thorough screening process—including interviews, medical record reviews, home visits, and background checks (for both the surrogate and partner, if applicable). Only candidates who show exceptional responsibility, emotional readiness, and organizational skills are accepted into our program.
Who can become an intended parent with Heartland Surrogacy?
We work with individuals and couples residing in the United States. We welcome intended parents from all walks of life—whether you’re LGBTQ+ or heterosexual, younger or older, and regardless of your gender identity or cultural background. We celebrate all family structures and are committed to supporting your path to parenthood with care and respect.
Why do people choose to become surrogates?
There are many reasons someone may choose to become a surrogate, but at the heart of it is a shared desire to help others experience the joy of parenthood. Many surrogates have known someone who faced infertility or needed help building a family—whether through adoption, fertility treatment, or surrogacy—and felt inspired to make a difference themselves. Others may have seen someone they know act as a surrogate and were moved by the impact it had.
Some surrogates simply love being pregnant and want to use that experience to help another family, especially once their own family feels complete. Surrogacy can also be a meaningful way to contribute financially to their household or meet certain life goals.
Whatever their motivation, becoming a surrogate is a significant commitment that takes time, heart, and dedication. We’re proud to work with a thoughtful and compassionate network of surrogates who are ready for this extraordinary journey.
Surrogacy Services
Will someone be available to support me throughout the surrogacy process?
Yes—our team is here to support you every step of the way. We know that surrogacy doesn’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we. With evening and weekend availability, we make it a priority to be accessible when you need us most. Whether you have a question, face a challenge, or just want someone to talk to, you can count on us for timely, thoughtful support throughout your journey.
Who will I be working with during my surrogacy journey, and how is your team structured?
Our core team includes a director, program coordinator, case manager, and intake coordinator, all dedicated to providing personalized support. In addition, we’re backed by a trusted network of professionals—including an accountant, attorney, marketing professional, virtual assistants, and business mentors—who help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Each case is assigned to one specific team member who will be your main point of contact throughout the journey. That person will get to know you and your case closely, while the rest of our team collaborates to ensure you and your surrogate are fully supported every step of the way.
Are your agency fees refundable?
Our agency fees are not refundable. However, they are broken into installments tied to specific milestones, so you’re paying as services are delivered. We require the first installment before a match is made, as a significant amount of work goes into reaching that point.
We invest time and care into thoroughly screening both intended parents and surrogates, and we focus on finding the right match—not just the next available one. This thoughtful, hands-on approach is reflected in our fee structure to ensure every journey begins on a strong foundation.
How are surrogate expenses and compensation handled in your program?
All funds for your surrogacy journey are held in an independent escrow account managed by a licensed escrow company. The details of payments and reimbursements are guided by your legal contract with your surrogate, and the escrow provider ensures that funds are disbursed accurately and on time.
We work closely with the escrow company to provide a second set of eyes—helping ensure that all payments align with the contract and that your surrogate is supported throughout the process. We’re happy to recommend trusted escrow management companies from our network, or you’re welcome to choose another qualified provider if you prefer.
Who provides medical care for my surrogate?
Heartland Surrogacy is happy to work with the fertility clinic of your choice. If you already have embryos frozen at a clinic, your surrogate can travel there for screening and embryo transfer. If you haven’t created embryos yet, we can coordinate with any clinic you select, so long as they do not have an exclusive partnership with another surrogacy agency.
All medical costs related to IVF (such as screening, testing, medications, lab work, ultrasounds, and office visits) are separate from Heartland Surrogacy’s agency fees. Once pregnancy is confirmed, your surrogate will receive routine prenatal care from their own OB provider.
What services will I need to obtain separately?
In addition to working with Heartland Surrogacy, you’ll need to work with a few other professionals to complete your journey. These include:
Legal representation for both you and your surrogate. You’ll need an attorney licensed in the state where your surrogate lives, and your surrogate must have separate legal counsel.
Escrow services to manage the financial aspects of the journey.
Insurance services, depending on your surrogate’s situation. You may need to secure health, life, and/or short-term disability insurance. We will connect you with a specialized insurance broker to assist with these items.
We’re happy to connect you with experienced providers from our trusted network, or work with professionals of your choosing (as long as they meet the qualifications required for surrogacy). Our goal is to help you find the right fit while keeping your budget and preferences in mind.
Do you receive any payments or bonuses for referring me to other programs, providers, or services?
On rare occasions, we may receive a payment or other incentive for referring you to a non-medical service or provider. If that ever applies, we will always disclose it to you in advance. These arrangements are never made with clinics or other medical providers. Our recommendations are based solely on experience, quality, and what’s in the best interest of everyone involved in the journey.
The Process
Heartland Surrogacy requires that all intended parents undergo a psychological consultation to determine your readiness for a surrogacy journey. This requirement is typical for any means of third party reproduction and will often be completed by your fertility clinic. If your clinic does not require an evaluation, we will help you locate a provider in your area. Our agency also conducts criminal background checks.
Our surrogates undergo a two-part screening. The first portion is completed by our agency and includes a medical records review, phone interviews, criminal background checks (including any other adults living in their household, if applicable), and a home visit. After matching, a psychological evaluation and thorough medical exam are completed according to the requirements of your fertility clinic. All of these measures combined allow us to assess your surrogate’s medical and emotional readiness to undergo a surrogacy journey.
Our agency typically has a short waitlist for intended parents, ranging from 3-6 months. The time it takes to match will vary depending on your personal circumstances and preferences, but we will work to match you as quickly as possible while doing our due diligence to ensure proper screening and preparation of our candidates.
At Heartland Surrogacy, creating great matches between surrogates and intended parents is one of our top priorities. We will help you find a gestational carrier that is appropriate for you by getting to know you, your goals and preferences, and your views on the various aspects of surrogacy. Matching through Heartland Surrogacy is a mutual decision made by intended parents and surrogates.
First, Heartland Surrogacy will review your profile and identify a surrogate who may be a good match, based on shared goals and characteristics. Then, your profile will be presented to this prescreened surrogate for review. You will then be given the GC profile to review and decide whether or not to move forward with the matching process.
One or more Heartland staff members will mediate the match meeting, which can take place in person or virtually. After the meeting, we will speak to each side independently to assess their comfort with the match. You are free to turn down the match and review another candidate at any point during the matching process.
It is essential for surrogates to have a health insurance policy that will cover the surrogate pregnancy. If the current policy will not cover the expenses, we require that you provide a new policy for your surrogate. We will help you identify and secure a plan that will cover the surrogacy pregnancy and delivery. You will be responsible for all costs associated with the new policy (premiums, deductible, coinsurance, and copays).
Journeys
Communication during and after the journey will vary, but our hope is that you and your surrogate will build a strong bond based on open communication and mutual respect. Some families become friends with their surrogate and form an ongoing relationship in which they regularly communicate and even visit each other. Other families exchange calls, letters, pictures, etc. a few times a year or at major milestones.
We specialize in open matches with strong communication and solid relationships. Our staff will mediate your first meeting (be it in person or over video call) and once matched, you and your surrogate are highly encouraged to maintain open communication. We would like contact to be as frequent as is comfortable for all parties.
You and your surrogate will decide on the number of embryo transfers you will attempt, and this will be recorded in your contract. If a pregnancy does not occur or continue, you will have the opportunity to decide if you would like to attempt another embryo transfer, in accordance with your contract. While a large percentage of your surrogacy budget needs to be available in escrow at the beginning of your journey, compensation to your surrogate is made in installments (based on time or steps in the journey). Provider expenses are paid as they are incurred, and our agency fees are paid at specific milestones in the journey. If pregnancy is not achieved or continued, you will not incur expenses pertaining to the rest of the journey.
If your chosen surrogate fails the psychological evaluation, Heartland Surrogacy will pay for the evaluation of a new surrogate. You will not incur any additional costs for rematching.
We charge a rematch fee of $5,000 if parents break a match for a non-medical reason.
Yes, this is possible and often preferred by all involved. You and your surrogate’s preferences will be detailed in your legal contract. Most surrogates will allow the IPs to be present for some or all of the birth experience.