How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?

Becoming parents is a cherished dream for many. Surrogacy, which involves a person carrying and giving birth to a baby for another individual or couple, helps many people realize that dream. 

However, the journey to surrogacy can come with a high price tag. There are many different fees to consider, and it’s not always easy to know the total cost upfront. But with research and careful planning, you can better understand the potential expenses and create a budget to manage expenses.

What is the average cost of surrogacy in the U.S.?

The cost of surrogacy in the U.S. ranges from between $150,000 to $200,000, according to Jeff Hu, the director of SurrogateFirst. Speaking with GoodRx Health, Hu attributed the high price tag to several categories of expenses, including surrogate compensation, insurance and legal services, medical fees, and agency fees. He also said that overall surrogacy costs have increased over time due to inflation, increased awareness about surrogate compensation, and demand. 

“There’s a high demand for surrogates with a lot more intended parents than willing surrogates,” Hu said.

Why is surrogacy so expensive?

Surrogacy is expensive because professionals from various industries are involved in the process. For example, lawyers manage contracts between parents and surrogates, social workers offer guidance on the process, and accountants help track the finances involved. This is in addition to medical professionals overseeing in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) if using the surrogate’s egg, and the pregnancy. 

Here’s how nine specific factors contribute to the high cost of surrogacy.

1. Agency fees 

Surrogacy agencies help match intended parents with surrogates and facilitate the surrogacy process. Different agencies may offer different programs with fees ranging from $30,000 to $50,000, Jessie Jaskulsky, owner of Surrogacy Simplified, told GoodRx Health.

2. Type of surrogacy

Traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate's egg is fertilized by either a donor’s sperm or one of the intended parent’s sperm, may be less expensive than other options. With traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is biologically related to the child. However, “traditional surrogacy is not legal in a lot of states,” Jaskulsky said. 

Gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate has no biological tie to the baby, can be more expensive due to additional medical procedures for egg retrieval or donation, IVF, and embryo transfer. 

3. Egg donation 

In some cases, intended parents need donor eggs to create embryos that will then be transferred to a gestational surrogate. This can increase surrogacy costs by $15,000 to $30,000, according to Jaskulsky. 

The amount varies depending on whether the intended parent uses an agency — which may mean extra charges — or works directly with a fertility clinic to get donated eggs. Additionally, whether the donor eggs are fresh or frozen can affect the cost. Fresh donor eggs typically cost more than frozen eggs.

4. Surrogate compensation 

Surrogates are paid around $30,000 to $60,000 to carry a pregnancy. This fee varies greatly based on factors like whether the surrogate is a first-time or repeat surrogate, Hu said. Repeat surrogates may charge more because of their experience with the process. 

In addition, surrogates may ask for higher compensation if it’s their last surrogacy, Hu added. You may also have to pay an additional amount if the pregnancy results in multiple births. 

5. Additional surrogate expenses 

In addition to the base surrogate compensation, you may want to budget for extra surrogate costs. For example, buying a life insurance policy for the surrogate is usually required. 

If the surrogate can’t continue to work due to the pregnancy, you may have to compensate for their lost wages. Some intended parents offer a monthly allowance for maternity clothing, groceries, and house cleaning services. These expenses are generally optional and can range anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000, according to Jaskulsky.

6. Health insurance 

Whether the surrogate already has surrogate-friendly health insurance — meaning, a health plan that covers surrogacy-related medical expenses — also affects the costs. Since not all health plans cover surrogacy pregnancies, Jaskulsky said, intended parents may need to buy a separate policy for the surrogate, which can cost up to $30,000. 

7. Medical expenses 

Medical expenses related to surrogacy include procedures like IVF for embryo creation, which can cost about $20,000 to $30,000. However, some intended parents’ health plans may cover fertility treatments for surrogates. 

On top of the costs of procedures, there may be additional expenses for the surrogate’s medical screenings, fertility medications, and any health complications that arise. 

8. Legal fees 

Lawyers create contracts that cover parental rights, financial compensation, and each party’s responsibilities during the surrogacy process. According to Jaskulsky, attorney fees can add about $8,000 to $16,000 to the total cost. She noted that intended parents typically cover surrogates’ attorney fees, in addition to their own.

9. Location 

Surrogates living in states like California, Texas, and Florida may receive higher compensation than those living in other states, Hu said. This is also true for surrogates living in major cities near large medical facilities and clinics, because this means less travel for medical care, he said. 

Since laws about surrogacy differ by state, the legal process can be more complicated and costly in some places, as well. 

What expenses are included in the cost of surrogacy?

What’s included in the cost of surrogacy depends on the agency and program you choose. Some agencies charge a flat fee that bundles common expenses. Others have a lower base fee but bill separately for services throughout the surrogacy process.

Services that are typically included in agency fees are:

• Advertising and recruiting to find surrogate candidates that match intended parents’ preferences 

• Surrogate compensation

• Surrogate screening, which may include background checks, psychological evaluation, and drug testing

• Access to case managers, who help answer questions, manage relationships, and provide information during the surrogacy journey

• Legal services like drafting contracts between intended parents and surrogates

Additional expenses that are other not included in agency fees are:

• Additional surrogate expenses, such as out-of-pocket costs related to pregnancy, health insurance costs, and extra charges in the case of multiple births 

• Medical expenses, such as for IVF, fertility medications, and medical appointments 

• Extra legal fees, if needed, as surrogacy laws vary by state

• Other costs, such as for travel, lost wages, or certain screening procedures

The best way to determine what’s included in an agency’s fee is to review their website or call them directly. Find out how they calculate their fee and whether it’s an estimated range or a fixed fee. Consider asking for a breakdown of potential additional fees to help you get a clear idea of the total expenses. 

Does health insurance cover surrogacy?

As an intended parent, your health insurance usually does not cover pregnancy care for the surrogate. This means prenatal care, childbirth fees, and other pregnancy-related medical expenses for the surrogate are generally excluded. 

The surrogate’s health insurance plan may pay for medical care related to their pregnancy and delivery. But that depends entirely on the specifics of the plan. If the surrogate’s health plan excludes surrogacy pregnancy, you can buy a separate insurance policy for them. For example, a short-term or maternity-only policy can help cover a surrogate’s medical expenses.  

As an intended parent, your health insurance may cover fertility treatments like IVF to produce embryos. Twenty-one states and Washington, D.C., have laws that require health plans to cover fertility treatment. Fifteen of those states include IVF coverage. But each state has different rules about which treatments are included and who qualifies. For example, Jaskulsky said that some health plans may exclude IVF coverage if it’s for a surrogacy journey.  

Are there any ways to lower the cost of surrogacy?

Managing the cost of surrogacy can be daunting. Here are a few ways to reduce what you pay: 

• Check your employer-sponsored benefits if you have them. 

• Compare agency fees. 

• Explore financing options. 

• Apply for grants. 

• Look into online crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Analysis by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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