Surrogacy is the generous gift of life to a deserving family. Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproduction that allows deserving individuals or couples to become parents to children who are biologically related to them. These intended parents choose to pursue surrogacy for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because of a deep-seated desire to experience the joyous and intimate journey parenthood.

If you are thinking of starting a surrogacy journey of your own, it’s important to consider the costs of surrogacy to ensure that it is a viable option to grow your family. In short, you’ll need to understand surrogacy and its related costs and fees.

As every surrogacy is unique, it can be difficult to get an exact number when it comes to costs. However, we’ve put together this simple guide that will give you a breakdown of the costs and expenses related to surrogacy. Here’s everything you need to know about surrogate mother costs and how to pay for them.

Cost and Fees of Surrogacy

The overall cost of surrogacy ranges from a minimum of $90,000 and can be upwards of $160,000 depending on the unique circumstances of your surrogacy. There are many aspects of surrogacy that contribute to its overall costs including medical care, surrogate payment, and fees related to the services of your agency.

At Simple Surrogacy, we pride ourselves on transparency, that’s why you can view all of the related fees and expenses on our Services and Fees page with in-depth details about what services you can expect with your payment. Here’s a quick breakdown of the minimum surrogate mother costs.

Fees Paid to Simple Surrogacy – $24,250

These fees include the fees for management of the entire journey, from matching and screening, through legal and escrow, to delivery and birth plans and insurance payments and delivery bill management.

Fees Paid to Surrogate – $35,000 plus

Whether your surrogate has completed successful surrogacies before, the state or country that your surrogate resides in, and the surrogate has insurance will all have an impact on surrogate compensation. Surrogates in Texas who have health insurance that can be sued for surrogacy earn $40,000 for a first-time surrogacy. Surrogate base compensation is paid to surrogates over the course of the pregnancy in 8 equal installments.

Medical and Screening Expenses – $35,000 (average)

The cost of medical expenses is determined by the clinic you choose. We work with many partner clinics who can provide preferential treatment plans and options. There are also many different plans to choose from- ranging from a single transfer to all-inclusive options.

Misc. Fees – TBD

There are additional fees related to surrogacy that will depend on your surrogacy and surrogate. These expenses may range from travel reimbursement if your surrogate is further from your clinic, lost wages if your surrogate has missed work or bed rest, and of course, the increased expenses of a multiple pregnancy which include housekeeping and the multiples fee. Your agency should inform you of these fees as early on as possible, though some may crop up unexpectedly. It’s always a good idea to set aside money to cover any unexpected costs. Simple Surrogacy will be happy to give you a detailed estimate based on your surrogate choice and her circumstances, as well as your clinic choice.

If you and your family are considering surrogacy and are researching ways to fund your surrogacy, there are a plethora of options to explore. We detail some of these options, including our own financing programs, on our financing page.

Top FAQs About the Costs of Surrogacy

How much does a surrogate mother cost?

Surrogacy or using a surrogate mother typically costs at a minimum $90,000, though this amount can double quite easily. Each surrogacy is unique, and some can be less expensive than others. Intended parents should always have a fund for any unexpected costs related to their surrogacy, your agency can provide you with details about just how much you can expect to pay for your surrogacy and explain how certain factors affect the price.

Is surrogacy covered by insurance?

Surrogate’s own insurance can sometimes be used for the actual pregnancy expenses once there is a confirmed pregnancy, but it must be carefully reviewed for exclusions or pay back clauses. The Surrogate’s insurance cannot ever be used for fertility medication or fertility clinic visits. Intended parents will need to fund any other payments and costs related to the surrogacy out of pocket unless they have secured additional funding elsewhere.

Overall, it’s important to discuss your options with a professional who is familiar with fertility insurance law, your agency may be able to provide you with direction and recommendations if you are shopping for surrogacy insurance coverage.

Is it cheaper to adopt or have a surrogate?

Adoption is sometimes a less expensive alternative to surrogacy, however, it doesn’t offer the same opportunity to raise a child who is biologically related to their parents and there can be long waiting periods, as well as extensive paperwork and interviews. Surrogacy also typically requires the aid of an agency to ensure a successful surrogacy. Overall, adoption is the cheaper but not necessarily easier option, but it is up to parents to weigh their options and decide whether they would prefer to grow their families via adoption or surrogacy.

How much do surrogate mothers get paid?

Surrogate mothers are paid a base compensation that depends on where in the country they are located and the demand for surrogates in that state. Most Surrogate compensation starts at $35,000 for a surrogate with Insurance covering the pregnancy and is paid out in monthly installments throughout the pregnancy. There are several factors that contribute to the base compensation rate that a surrogate charge, these include whether the surrogate has insurance, the state that the surrogate resides in, whether the surrogate is experienced, and more.

Final Thoughts

Surrogacy is the generous gift of life to a deserving family. Surrogate mothers make it possible for individuals and couples to have children and to enjoy the wildly fulfilling experience of having a family. One of the biggest concerns of those who are pursuing surrogacy is the cost, we understand. That’s why Simple Surrogacy works to keep our prices transparent and help our clients understand exactly where their money is going.

If you are considering surrogacy, we’d love to help! Learn more about the benefits of working with Simple Surrogacy including our Texas Advantage. Our clients get top-notch service from professionals who are fully experienced when it comes to surrogacy. Many of our team have been surrogates or donors themselves! We’d love to hear from you and address any questions or concerns. Call at (866) 618-0764 or simply fill out our online form.