Average Inexperienced Surrogate: $28,000 – $30,000 base
Average Experienced Surrogate: $30,000 – $35,000+ base
**The base compensation above will also depend on whether the Surrogate has a medical insurance policy with maternity benefits that does NOT have a surrogacy exclusion.
We provide our Surrogates the best compensation available, based on their prior success & experience. Intended Parents pay the Surrogate’s legal fees, medical bills, mileage to and from doctors/lab appointments, childcare for doctor/ lab appointments, lost wages, airfare, hotel accommodations, and a meal allowance for out of town travel for the Surrogate and their companion and other expenses as detailed in your agreement.
In addition to base compensation, below are amounts that we recommend in accordance with industry averages, for other fees that a Surrogate may be eligible for depending on the unique circumstances of their journey. Please keep in mind, all of the fees are negotiable and can be customized during the contract phase. You do not have to choose all of the exact amounts that we have suggested. A Surrogate’s base compensation, as well as incidental fees are a personal choice. This guide will give you a good foundation of what is typically chosen in most agreements.
Gestational Surrogate Compensation
| Inexperienced w/o Insurance Experienced w/Insurance | $28,000-$30,000 base $30,000-$35,000+ base | Paid to the Surrogate in 10 equal payments throughout the pregnancy, which begins at confirmation of pregnancy via heartbeat by ultrasound. Surrogates deciding to match with International Clients are eligible to receive a premium compensation rate. Surrogates without an insurance policy or an insurance policy with exclusion will often receive lower compensation. |
| Monthly Stipend | $200 - $300/mo Varies by Surrogate request $250/ International IPs | This monthly allowance is In lieu of itemized reimbursements, and covers: mileage of less than 100 miles (round trip), childcare for local appointments, co-pays, prenatal vitamins, and at-home pregnancy testing supplies. Note: Begins the first of the month post contract signing, continuing up to and including one month post birth or at the termination of the Surrogacy Agreement. |
| Maternity Clothing Allowance | $800 singleton $1,000 multiples | Payment made at 13 weeks gestation. |
| Embryo Transfer Fee | $500/Transfer | Paid to the Surrogate following each embryo transfer. Additional expenses are also eligible for reimbursement, which includes child care and lost wages. Note: Expense reimbursement for a long distance transfer will also include the airfare, transportation to and from the airport, meal allowance, mileage, and hotel accommodations. |
| Psychological Counseling | $250 - $1,000 | At an average cost of $150 per session. Monthly sessions with a psychologist are not required unless requested or recommended. This will be determined on an individual basis. |
| Birth Documents | $500 - $1,500 | These documents Instruct the Hospital that the Intended Parents are considered legal guardians of the child(ren) being born, and to authorize the Intended Parents to make all medical decisions regarding the child(ren), prior to and after birth. These documents are drafted at the beginning of the trimester by an attorney. |
Incidentals
| Surrogate Lost Wages | $0 - $35,000 This Depends on the Surrogate's hourly wage | Lost wages are determined by the actual after-tax earnings. This amount is usually capped at 90 days of the Surrogate's lost wages. However, your surrogate could request additional compensation reimbursement.Lost wages are paid for transfers, time off work for prenatal checkups, doctor ordered bed rest, or for work restriction. |
| Lost Wages for Spouse/Partner | $0 - $3,000 Depends on hourly wage | Lost wages for Surrogate's spouse/partner are eligible for reimbursement should they need time off work to attend medical evaluations, embryo transfers, invasive procedures, legal filings, emergencies, and the birth. **All earnings are verified by monitoring recent paystubs |
| Meal Allowance | $50/day $25/day companion | This is paid when more than a half day of travel is necessary to fulfill travel obligations under the contract. (traveling to medical appointments, etc.) |
| Travel Expenses | $2,000-$5000 | This expense accounts for possible fees associated with travel, to include: airfare, parking, hotel accommodations, and transportation to and from the airport. |
| Local Travel | $.545/mile or current IRS guidelines | This paid only if the Surrogate or Egg Donor is required to travel by car to OB appointments, clinic visits, monitoring appointments, etc. Mileage is reimbursed only after the first 100 miles round trip of travel. |
| Bed Rest Compensation | $250/week $6,000 Cap or per Surrogacy Agreement | This is paid only if the Surrogate is put on medically authorized bedrest, ordered by the doctor, during pregnancy. This fee would also cover housekeeping and childcare. |
| Child Care | $200-750/Week Depending on number of children & surrogate agreement | This is paid only should the Surrogate need childcare to fulfill a contractual obligation. Child Care is reimbursed only for non usual days/hours. Childcare fees are not reimbursed for regular OB appointments after pregnancy is achieved. The average cost for childcare is $12 per hour. You would be required to pay the costs of the childcare, up to the cap as outlined in the surrogacy contract. (usually $6,000) Receipts are required by the Surrogate for verification. |
| Multiple Fee | $5,000/Child | This fee is paid for carrying each additional child beyond the first one. The listed fee is paid evenly throughout the pregnancy. |
| C-Section | $2,500 first C-section $1,500 subsequent | This is paid to compensate for pain, suffering, and any added risks associated with the procedure. **Please Note: Experienced Surrogates could request a higher fee. |
Rare Circumstances
| Loss of Reproductive Organs | $500 per fallopian tube $4,000 uterus $5,000 full hysterectomy | This is paid to compensate for any loss of or loss of function to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and/or including a full hysterectomy. |
| Amniocentesis | $1,000 first insertion, $500 subsequent | To compensate for any discomfort or pain during the amniocentesis procedure. |
| Invasive Procedure | $500 | To compensate for invasive procedures which include: HSG, Mock Cycle, Mock Transfer, or Cerclage. This may also be paid for cycle cancellation not due to medical reasons. |
| Dilation & Curettage, Selective Reduction, or Termination | $1,500 per procedure | This is paid to compensate for pain, suffering, and added risks associated with these procedures. Please Note: If a reduction or termination is requested to commence beyond 15 weeks of Pregnancy, The compensation will increase to $5,000. |