Questions Indented Parents Should Ask Surrogacy Agencies

If you are considering becoming a parent through surrogacy, congratulations! You have taken the first step towards what promises to be an exciting time in your life! Naturally you have questions when you are trying to decide on which surrogacy agency to use. We at Simple Surrogacy, of course, would love for you to choose to work with our surrogacy agency! Here are some questions that intended parents should ask surrogacy agencies when making the all-important decision of who to work with in making your parenting dreams come true.

How long has your surrogacy agency been in business?

It is important to know that the surrogacy agency with which you, the intended parents, choose to work, has been established for a while and has a good reputation. Simple Surrogacy, for example, has been in business for more than 17 years and is highly regarded in the surrogacy community, holding an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure that the surrogacy agency you choose is experienced and knowledgeable.

Does your surrogacy agency work in other states and/or countries?

The surrogacy agency you choose must be able to work with you no matter what state you’re from or if you reside in a country other than the United States. Simple Surrogacy has a proven track record of working with international clients. We offer translators to facilitate phone calls and meetings with surrogate mothers, and they are fluent in languages including (but not limited to) Japanese, Korean, Hebrew, Spanish and French. If you are an international client, it is important to find a surrogacy agency that can expedite the surrogacy process in the United States.

Are surrogate mothers pre-screened at your agency, and if so, what is included?

Pre-screening is an important part of the process for surrogacy agencies to obtain suitable surrogate mothers. At Simple Surrogacy, prospective surrogate mothers undergo a rigorous medical screening, with only two in ten applicants accepted into our program. Not only are their medical backgrounds screened, but they also undergo a thorough criminal background check as well as a financial screening. In addition, the mental health of all of our surrogate mothers is screened, and those with any psychological problems or who take medication for depression or anxiety are rejected. If you choose to work with Simple Surrogacy, you have the security of knowing that the surrogate mother with whom you are matched has been vetted and specifically chosen as a good match for you.

How long will it usually take to find a surrogate mother with whom we will work?

Every surrogacy agency differs in the amount of time it takes to match intended parents with surrogate mothers. This is an important point to take into consideration when you are choosing a surrogacy agency. Simple Surrogacy has a large database of pre-screened, available surrogate mothers. Intended parents who choose to work with us are pleasantly surprised to find that we have a short waiting period to be matched with a surrogate mother, when compared with other surrogacy agencies.

Is your surrogacy agency a member of any professional organizations?

Professional recognition and membership in fertility organizations is important when choosing a surrogacy agency, as these types of memberships ensure that the agency is kept updated on the latest in surrogacy and fertility news. Simple Surrogacy, for example, is a member of RESOLVE (The National Infertility Association) as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In addition, our agency follows the guidelines of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Does the agency provide legal services to intended parents?

As intended parents, you should question potential surrogacy agencies as to whether or not they work with attorneys that will help intended parents navigate contracts and agreements. At Simple Surrogacy, we work with partner attorneys in every state in which there are favorable surrogacy laws who can represent and advise our clients on the best legal practices. Married couples in Texas can also benefit from our Legal Included Program, in which an attorney will guide intended parents through the entire legal process involved in surrogacy.

Is the money that we pay to the surrogate mother held in escrow?

It is important to find out if the surrogacy agency which you are considering working with keeps the money of intended parents separate from agency funds. Most reputable surrogacy agencies will hold money from the intended parents for the surrogate mother in an escrow account. This offers peace of mind to both the intended parents and the surrogate mother, and is a standard practice at Simple Surrogacy. We hold this money in FDIC-insured escrow accounts and provide monthly, itemized statements to all clients. We do not charge the intended parents any additional fees for this service.

Is someone from your agency available to answer our questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Intended parents naturally will continue to have questions, even after choosing a surrogacy agency to work with. You should be guaranteed that your questions can be answered by someone at any time of the day, any day of the week. Simple Surrogacy employs skilled, experienced professionals who are always available to answer your questions and facilitate the surrogacy process.

If you would like to explore our agency further to see if Simple Surrogacy is the right fit for you, as intended parents, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We are available at 1-866-41-SURRO, or feel free to contact us online.