5 Best Surrogacy Agencies for Intended Parents & Surrogates 2024

Are you considering becoming a surrogate or starting a family through surrogacy? If so, it's important to begin by finding the right surrogacy agency to guide you through the process and provide the best family-building experience. 

Surrogacy is a complex journey that requires careful consideration and understanding from all parties involved. To help you get started, we've put together a comprehensive review of the top factors to consider when deciding on a surrogacy agency and rankings of the best five surrogacy agencies. 

Best Surrogacy Agency Selection Criteria

• Reputation and Experience: Look for an agency with a proven track record of successful surrogacies. Research their offered services, history, client testimonials, and online reviews to gauge their reputation and expertise. 
• Services Offered: Ensure the agency provides comprehensive services throughout the entire surrogacy journey. This should include matching with surrogates or intended parents, legal and medical guidance, financial management, and emotional support. 
• Screening and Matching Process: Inquire about the agency's process for screening surrogates and intended parents. A thorough screening ensures compatibility and minimizes potential issues down the line.
• Transparency and Communication: Choose an agency that is transparent about their fees, contracts, and procedures. Open communication is vital to building trust and ensuring a smooth experience. 
• Legal and Ethical Compliance: Verify that the agency adheres to all legal and ethical standards in the surrogacy field. This protects the rights and interests of all parties involved. 

Reputation and Experience

A reputable agency with a proven track record demonstrates a history of successful surrogacy journeys, indicating their expertise and professionalism. This can give intended parents peace of mind, knowing they are working with a reliable and trustworthy organization. 

Experience in the field means the agency has encountered and resolved various challenges that can arise during the surrogacy process. They have established relationships with legal professionals, medical practitioners, and other relevant parties, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for intended parents. 

A well-established reputation often translates to better support systems, resources, and networks. This can be invaluable for intended parents, as they can benefit from the agency's connections and expertise in navigating legal, medical, and emotional aspects of surrogacy. 

Matching & Screening Process 

• Medical History and Evaluation: Thorough medical screening ensures the surrogate is physically fit for pregnancy and free from any underlying health conditions that could pose risks. This includes reviewing medical records, conducting physical examinations, and testing for infectious diseases and genetic disorders.
• Psychological Evaluation: A comprehensive psychological assessment ensures the surrogate is emotionally and mentally prepared for the surrogacy journey. It helps identify any potential issues like depression, anxiety, or unresolved trauma that could impact the pregnancy.
• Lifestyle and Background Check: Agencies often conduct background checks and home visits to ensure the surrogate has a stable lifestyle, supportive family environment, and no history of substance abuse or criminal activity.
• Financial Stability: Some agencies assess the surrogate's financial situation to ensure they are not entering surrogacy solely for financial gain and have the means to support themselves during the pregnancy.
  

Legal Guidance

1. State Laws: Surrogacy laws vary significantly from state to state. Some states are considered surrogacy-friendly with established legal frameworks, while others may have restrictive or even prohibitive laws. It is crucial to choose an agency familiar with the laws in both the intended parents' and the surrogate's state of residence.
2. Contractual Agreements: A comprehensive and legally sound surrogacy contract is essential to protect the rights and interests of all parties involved. The contract should address financial responsibilities, parental rights, decision-making authority, and contingencies for unforeseen circumstances.
3. Parental Establishment: The legal process for establishing parentage can vary depending on the circumstances of the surrogacy arrangement (e.g., traditional vs. gestational surrogacy, use of donor gametes). It is important to understand the legal steps required to secure parental rights and ensure a smooth transition for the child.
4. Insurance Coverage: Surrogacy-related medical expenses can be substantial. It is important to discuss insurance coverage for both the surrogate and the intended parents to avoid unexpected financial burdens.
5. Legal Counsel: It is highly recommended that both intended parents and surrogates seek independent legal counsel to review contracts and ensure their rights are protected. 

By considering these legal topics and working with an experienced surrogacy agency, intended parents can navigate the legal complexities of surrogacy with confidence and peace of mind.

LGBTQ+ Friendly 

LGBTQ+ intended parents should consider several key factors when selecting a surrogacy agency: experience with LGBTQ+ families, a welcoming and inclusive environment, legal expertise in LGBTQ+ family law, effective matching with supportive surrogates, a strong sense of community, and transparent communication. By prioritizing these aspects, intended parents can find the best surrogacy agency that truly understands and supports their unique needs throughout their journey to parenthood. 

5 Best Surrogacy Agencies

Considering all of these crucial and complex factors, our top recommendations for the best surrogacy agencies include: 

1. Hatch Fertility, Egg Donation & Surrogacy

Established in 1991, Hatch Fertility helps intended parents get the perfect match. It is the most established surrogacy and egg donor agency in the U.S. and has done over 8,000 successful journeys, thus making it top of our list for 2024. Intended parents get access to the highly unique Peace of Mind Program, which is a fixed fee to cover every expense needed on both the medical and agency side until live birth. Hatch is a favorite with surrogates who get personalized assistance and competitive compensation throughout the entire process. 

With Hatch Egg Donation & Surrogacy, you get a wide range of services. This includes IVF medical services, counseling & support, legal counsel, loan financing, screening & matching, escrow management, and case management. Hatch also offers a 99.5% success rate (the highest in the industry) and partners with the world’s top reproductive specialists —all to give intended parents the best chance of going home with their bundle of joy.

website | hatch.us

2. The Fertility Agency

Since 2004, The Fertility Agency has served over 1100 families (and counting). Each and every employee has personal experience, or has assisted in, fertility struggles, ensuring a supportive and understanding environment. The Fertility Agency's unique TrueMatch™ system is an intimate process that matches only the most qualified surrogate candidates to intended parents.

With 40% of surrogates being returning and referrals, you can feel confident that you are working with a surrogacy agency that focuses on the well-being of their intended parents and surrogates. The Fertility Agency also provides transparent pricing information for intended parents, breaking down the costs of surrogacy. 

website | thefertilityagency.com

 

3. Circle Surrogacy

With a 99.3% success rate, Circle Surrogacy is another excellent choice for both intended parents and surrogates. In addition to assisting a diverse range of parents within the U.S., the agency supports international parents from over 70 countries. Circle Surrogacy has been helping members of the LGBTQ+ community build their families for over 25 years. 

To simplify the process, Circle Surrogacy offers several fixed-fee options covering agency services only. These options cater to various journeys, such as sibling journeys, using a personal or independent surrogate, or egg donation only, ensuring that there is an option to suit individual preferences.  

website | circlesurrogacy.com

4. ConceiveAbilities

ConceiveAbilities secures the third spot on our list, thanks to its outstanding reputation within the industry and extensive track record. The agency's well-structured system guides intended parents through the entire surrogacy journey, handling all aspects, including legal work. 

In addition to a strong surrogate matching process, ConceiveAbilities offers comprehensive support for egg donors. While the agency provides a comprehensive service, the qualification process to become a surrogate can be quite tedious. 

website | conceiveabilities.com

5. Same Love Surrogacy

Same Love Surrogacy is an excellent agency for surrogates, offering robust support group functions and a strong commitment to the well-being of its surrogates. 

Similar to Hatch Egg Donation & Surrogacy, Same Love Surrogacy ensures that their surrogates are not pressured to participate in the service solely for financial reasons. They have a comprehensive list of surrogate expenses covered within all surrogate contracts, and their compensation and benefits plan is exemplary. 

website | samelovesurrogacy.com

Choosing the Right Surrogacy Agency

• Thoroughly research agencies, checking reviews, success rates, and experience.
• Schedule consultations with multiple agencies to get a feel for their values and approach. 
• Choose an agency that communicates clearly and transparently throughout the process. 
• Understand each agency’s fee structure and payment schedules upfront. 
• Consider the agency's support services for both intended parents and surrogates. 
• Ensure the agency has a strong legal team familiar with surrogacy laws. 
• Select an agency whose values align with yours and where you feel comfortable.