Independent Surrogacy vs. Agency-Assisted Surrogacy: Difference & Cost

Independent Surrogacy vs. Agency-Assisted Surrogacy: Your Guide to The Difference and Cost  

Becoming a parent through surrogacy can be a powerful and rewarding experience, but it’s also a complex journey with many steps and considerations.

Beyond finding a willing surrogate, the process involves medical procedures, legal agreements, financial planning, and navigating unexpected challenges. These can range from budgetary constraints to communication hurdles or even delays.

To navigate this complex landscape, intended parents have two main options:

• Agency-assisted surrogacy: This involves working with a professional agency that provides guidance, coordination, and support throughout the process.
• Independent surrogacy: This involves managing the journey themselves, relying on legal and medical professionals for assistance.

Understanding the pros and cons of each approach empowers intended parents to make informed decisions and embark on their surrogacy journey with confidence.

What Is A Surrogacy Agency?

A surrogacy agency is a company that provides a broad range of services for both intended parents and prospective surrogate mothers, helping both parties to initiate and complete a surrogacy process.  

It is important to note that surrogacy agencies differ in a variety of ways, catering to diverse needs and preferences.

Types of Surrogacy Agencies:

• Domestic vs. International: Operate within the same country or internationally.
• Size: Small, medium, or large based on their resources and client base.
• Services Offered:
  • Part-service: Offer limited services like matching and process management.
  • Full-service: Provide comprehensive support, including legal, medical, and financial assistance.
• Accessibility: Vary in who they work with:
  • Single parents and heterosexual couples
  • LGBTQIA+ friendly or limited to heterosexual and married LGBTQIA+ couples
• Egg Donation Services:
  • In-house: Provide eggs from their own donors.
  • External: Partner with external egg donation programs.
• Legal Services:
  • In-house legal team: Handle legalities in-house.
  • Referrals: Recommend surrogacy attorneys.
• Surrogacy Services:
  • Gestational surrogacy: Surrogate uses intended parents’ eggs and sperm.
  • Traditional surrogacy: Surrogate uses her own eggs and intended father’s sperm.
  • Both gestational and traditional: Offer both options.
    
    

Part–service surrogacy agencies may offer the matching and managing the process only services; some of these agencies also offer referral services for their prospective parents. Unlike part–service agencies, a full–service agency offers more services for intended parents and surrogate mothers, sometimes including egg and sperm donation, including the following:

Part–Service Agencies:

• Matchmaking and process management services.
• Referral services to assist prospective parents.

Full–Service Agencies:

• Comprehensive assistance, including egg and sperm donation.
• Establishing eligibility for gestational carriers and intended parents.
• Regular updates on criteria, legislation, and innovations.
• Connecting with prospective surrogate mothers and interested parents.
• Consultation services for all parties on the surrogacy journey.
• Recruitment and education for surrogate and egg donor applicants, ensuring they are fully informed about their roles and responsibilities.
• Profile creation assistance for prospective parents and gestational surrogates.
• Coordination of match meetings and interviews.
• Comprehensive pre–screening, including medical and background checks.
• Handling rematching scenarios, if necessary.

Overseeing legal aspects:

• Drafting and finalizing surrogacy contracts (with in–house legal teams where available).
• Establishing legal agreements like birth orders and parental rights.
• Referrals to experienced surrogacy attorneys for specialized legal support.
• Egg donation process management, including the legal aspects.
• Referrals to mental health professionals, medical experts, and fertility clinics.
• Relationship fostering from pre–conception meetings to post–birth care.
• Detailed coordination and supervision of the entire surrogacy process.
• Financial management and assistance, covering all surrogacy–related expenses.
• Medical coordination for egg donors and surrogate mothers.
• Program planning, including scheduling, travel arrangements, and medical appointments. 

Nowadays, most full-service agencies offer comprehensive support for intended parents and surrogate mothers. This includes recruiting, screening, and educating surrogates to ensure they fully understand the process, potential challenges, and expectations like travel, time commitment, and unforeseen issues. To facilitate successful matches, nearly 90% of U.S. agencies offer pre-screened gestational surrogates and a “no-match, no-fee policy.” Additionally, surrogacy professionals initiate in-person or virtual matching meetings to allow intended parents and potential surrogates to ask questions and assess suitability.

Independent surrogacies may lack transparent and in-depth discussions about various important topics. These conversations may cover:

• Canceling the surrogacy process
• Vitrification versus transfer of embryos
• Fresh embryo transfer vs. transferring devitrified embryos or multiple embryos
• Extending the waiting timeline
• Elective reduction of embryos or fetuses in case of multiple pregnancy
• Termination of pregnancy
• Vaccinations and healthcare for the surrogate mother
• Diet, training, and travel during the surrogate's pregnancy

Furthermore, nearly 75% of full-service agencies initiate rematching with a new surrogate mother if the initial match fails due to personal preferences, unforeseen issues, or differing views on aspects of the surrogacy process.

Independent Surrogacy vs. Agency-Assisted Surrogacy: Cost Comparison Table

 

Feature	Independent Surrogacy	Agency-Assisted Surrogacy
Cost:	Potentially lower, but varies significantly. Can range from ~$15,000 to ~$79,000 for uncomplicated cases.	Higher, with average starting fees at ~$30,000. Can reach ~$300,000+ depending on services and complications.
Control:	More control over the process and people involved.	Less control, as agencies manage most aspects.
Transparency:	Requires self-management of transparency in discussions and agreements.	Agencies facilitate clear communication and address potential issues before moving forward.
Matching:	Requires self-finding a surrogate, which can take time.	Agencies manage matching with pre-screened candidates.
Screening:	May lack thorough medical and background checks.	Agencies provide comprehensive medical and background screening for surrogates.
Legal Support:	Requires independent legal counsel, potentially at an additional cost.	Agencies often offer legal guidance or referrals.
Additional Services:	Requires self-management of communication, coordination, and scheduling.	Agencies manage communication, coordination, and scheduling of various professionals.
Risk:	Higher risk of unforeseen issues due to lack of agency oversight.	Agencies may help mitigate risks through experience and established procedures.

Additional Notes:

• Independent surrogacy can be significantly cheaper if the surrogate is a friend or relative and doesn’t require extensive medical intervention or egg donation.
• Agency-assisted surrogacy provides a more streamlined experience with reduced risk but comes at a premium cost.
• Both options require careful planning, research, and understanding of potential challenges and expenses.

Important Disclaimer:

The cost estimates presented here are approximations and can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances. Consulting with experienced surrogacy professionals is crucial for obtaining accurate cost estimates tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Agency Surrogacy: Pros of Working with a Surrogacy Agency 

Compared to independent surrogacy, agency-facilitated surrogacy offers several advantages:

• Simplified matching: Agencies provide access to pre-screened surrogate candidates, allowing intended parents to choose and book a match meeting.
• Increased success: Many agencies offer egg donation services as well, representing qualified donors and surrogates to maximize the chances of a successful match and smooth journey.
• Comprehensive screening: Agencies thoroughly vet both egg donors and surrogates, ensuring they meet all necessary qualifications before matching them with parents.

As an intended parent, you will be choosing someone who has past clearance, health, and pregnancy history review, someone who’s had criminal and financial background checks, past mental health evaluations, etc. Agencies are in charge of making sure that potential surrogate mothers are medically and mentally prepared to carry prospective parents’ babies and that they are motivated for reasons other than just being hired to earn money.

An agency also facilitates access to essential professionals throughout the surrogacy journey, including:

• Fertility specialists and clinics
• Lawyers specializing in fertility law
• Mental health professionals
• Insurance, financial, and escrow experts

The third benefit of using an agency is the legal expertise it facilitates. Surrogacy and parentage laws differ in almost every state/country, so enforcing a contract between intended parents and a gestational carrier can go along with caution and nuances when they live in different locations. Many agencies have experience dealing with both parties living in separate states or prospective parents living abroad and the surrogate mother living in the U.S. and being a legal U.S. resident and know how to foster legal counsel for everyone. 

Agency Surrogacy: Cons of Working with a Surrogacy Agency

For some intended parents thinking about working with an agency, the cost of the agency’s services is too high and exceeds their budget. For example, the average agency fee in the U.S. starts at $30,000. Some agencies estimate that the low end of the range starts around $90,000 for a single embryo transfer or two transfers within a single cycle without any guarantees or premium backups.

Some agencies estimate that the low end of the range starts around $90,000. However, given the array of fees that varies from case to case — health screening costs, legal fees, insurance premiums, and payments for other things like C–sections, incidentals, preemie care, neonatal intensive care unit, emergency surgeries, newborn care, child care for the gestational carrier, newborn insurance, postnatal and neonatal care, staying in the intensive care unit after Caesarian delivery, etc. — intended parents may end up paying upwards of $300,000 and up. 

For a smooth surrogacy journey, the prospective parents should expect to pay somewhere between $175,000 and $250,000, including the multiples fee (twins or triplets), Caesarian delivery, post–C–section care, and newborn care. For surrogacy programs priced from $90,000 to $150,000, it is essential to note that such programs don’t include the fees for the fertility clinic.

Fertility clinics differ in how they charge (full cost or installments), and some prospective parents come to a surrogacy agency already having embryos created, so their fees are less, as the embryo generation stage is eliminated and the only thing that should be managed by the surrogacy experts is transporting embryos to IVF clinic. Transportation between states/countries may take up to six weeks of time and transportation fees, including legal expenses, export, import, and proceeding. Other parents–to–be may need to start multicycle or multi–Stim IVF, find local or traveling egg donors, or purchase vitrified eggs, or have genetic testing done, which ups the price tag. Moreover, if the first attempt fails and the IVF program is without Guarantees like blastocyst transfer, vitrification of embryos left after transfer, cryotransfer backup, or Live Birth Guarantee, intended parents will be charged per–trial, leading to cutting off from their emergency budget extra $6,000–$9,000 for surrogate mother’s preparation and frozen embryo transfer, and plus $20,000–$50,000 for fresh IVF cycle using own genetic material or donor’s eggs (for programs starting at $29,000 and up to $50,000).

Several surrogacy agencies offer reduced fees for intended parents who already have a chosen surrogate or a known egg donor. Matching fees won’t be charged for these cases, allowing intended parents to save up to $10,000. But screening fees (to evaluate surrogate or/and egg donor applicants), legal fees, and agency fees for coordination, management, and completion of the process will be added to the program’s price tag. In cases when the intended parents’ relative volunteers to be their traditional surrogate mother and share the unique genetic makeup, it is possible to save on egg donation (up to $50,000) and the surrogate base compensation, including benefits that range from $50,000 to $75,000 and up for multiple pregnancy (plus $10,000 per baby (twins — 10,000, triplets — 20,000). 

To sum up, having a relative as a traditional surrogate mother could save you between $50,000 and $52,000 on baby–carrying services (if you initiate an IVF with your own gametes, have your oocytes vitrified or embryos stored) and even more if the surrogate mother donates her eggs for IVF (you save up to $50,000 on egg donation). And if you would like to transfer multiple embryos (two or free), you should be ready to manage multiple pregnancy expenses and budget an extra $50,000 minimum, just in case. Although having multiples via surrogacy may be a great perspective, it is worth saying that fees associated with premature birth, Caesarian section, neonatal intensive care unit, preemie care (charged per baby), emergency surgeries, medications, and neonatal care costs grow exponentially and may result into $149,000 per baby for 25–day staying at NICU.

What Is an Independent Surrogacy?

Independent surrogacy (also known as private surrogacy) is a type of surrogacy without an agency — usually only with a lawyer and fertility clinic, having more control over the decisions and people involved along the way. Prospective parents pursuing an independent surrogacy arrangement coordinate and manage the necessary legal and medical processes of their journey: find a surrogate wishing to help them, negotiate with an attorney, discuss their options with a fertility clinic’s medical team, and obtain the passport for a baby at their embassy (for international surrogacy).

If you already have a surrogate, you can start an independent surrogacy journey, but what if you don’t?

Finding an independent surrogate may take between one and six months within surrogacy networks and surrogacy communities (if you don’t know the surrogate candidates personally or there is no a close friend or family member willing to carry a surrogacy pregnancy). Sometimes, surrogate match may take interviewing two or more potential surrogates before you pick up the perfect one. In some cases, the ideal gestational carrier may not fit according to surrogate requirements (due to age, health conditions, or multiple deliveries), and you will need to find a match again and initiate a new legal process. 

Once you matched, to complete an independent surrogacy you will need to consult with surrogacy lawyer and prepare surrogacy agreement. Further steps include screening, counseling, starting an IVF cycle, transferring an embryo, planning the delivery, working on birth order, purchasing the newborn’s insurance, applying for baby’s documents, and booking tickets to come to your home country. 

Pros and Benefits of Independent Surrogacy

Cutting the surrogacy expenses double or sometimes triple ($30,000 agency fees + $50,000 the base compensation + $20,000 surrogate benefit package + $30,000 egg donation cycle fees = $130,000) is possible. Furthermore, some cases may result in under $39,000, including everything needed, but here, it should be added that 90% of such surrogacy pregnancies are traditional, uncomplicated, and take place in the states where traditional surrogacy is recognized and legal. So, returning home with the baby and spending $30,000 is real.

The other case of pursuing a private surrogacy is the second surrogacy journey. If the prospective parents have a surrogacy experience, they know how everything is going on, are professionals involved, and have a surrogate mother contesting to work with them.

Choosing a private surrogacy saves $30,000 to $50,000 of the intended parents’ budget if they do not use the agency’s services and up to $10,000 on matching if the prospective parents decide to move forward with an agency but already find their surrogate mother. The maximum savings on independent surrogacy are possible when the surrogate mother is your relative or your close friend wishing to help you and isn’t looking to get anything back. In such cases, the single prospective parents and couples may invest as little as $15,000 (legal fees + IUI treatment, including gender selection) and as much as $49,000 (legal fees + medicated IVF using the traditional surrogate mother’s oocytes and sperm with Blastocyst and Live Birth Guarantee Premium multicycle program with preimplantation genetic testing/gender selection) plus between $14,000 and $30,000 for prenatal and neonatal care, natural or Caesarian delivery, and post–delivery care totaling in $29,000–$79,000 for uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. 

Other Cases to Choose Independent Surrogacy

For cases when the surrogate mother acts as a gestational mother and altruistically carries the baby created using the intended parents’ eggs and sperm or donor’s eggs and intended father’s/donor’s sperm, the total cost will include an IVF (with prospective mother’s oocytes a single IVF cycle cost between $13,000 and $39,000 depending on add–ons, backups, and guarantees; with donor’s eggs a single IVF cycle is priced between $25,000 and $50,000 depending on type of egg donation: fresh or frozen, the type of donor: local or traveling, the number of cycles, guarantees, backups, add–ons, location and much more. 

For egg donations without premium donors or traveling donors but with Live Birth Guarantee, as an intended parent, you should expect to pay between $49,000 and up, and not always this base cost cover medication and IVF cycle. For premium egg donors and traveling egg donors, the cost starts at $50,000 and up as they may need to travel and accommodate at your destination; they will need insurance and legal assistance to complete egg donation. 

Cons of independent surrogacy: What Intended Parents and Surrogate Should Know? 

It is important to consider that every step of the way of independent route you need working directly with your surrogate, attorney and clinic. Without access to the depth of resources that agencies provide — most notably the inclusive medical and background screening of surrogate mothers and mental health counseling — it’s not uncommon to have unanticipated issues with the surrogacy process. 

The other undesired scenario can happen if all the appropriate medical tests haven’t been performed, or if all the necessary legal conversations haven’t been locked down before embryos get transferred to the surrogate mother’s womb, or if termination of pregnancy hasn’t been discussed, or multiple embryo transfer resulted in a multiple pregnancy (triplets and more), or the surrogacy budget has been underestimated, and emergency has happened. All unanticipated issues are coming if something hasn’t been transparently discussed, or something has been missed, or left in an on-hold mode, or hasn’t been resolved in time.

Independent Surrogacy or Agency-Assisted Surrogacy?

Unlike private surrogacy, surrogacy agencies don’t initiate a match meeting until everything with the surrogate mother and parent(s) shores up medically, mentally, and financially, which reduces the risks of failures during or after pregnancy. And it is worth noting that many surrogacy agencies are open to work with parents who want to bring their own surrogate or would like to use some agency-assisted surrogacy services like consulting with surrogacy specialists, matching with a surrogate or crafting a surrogacy contract. In such scenarios, the cost of agency services will be reduced as intended parents choose only necessary ones. 

Should I work with a surrogate agency?

The decision of whether to work with a surrogate agency depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. Here is a summary of the pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros of using a surrogate agency:

• Increased success rates: Agencies often have a pool of pre-screened surrogates and egg donors, which can increase your chances of finding a good match and having a successful pregnancy.
• Reduced risk: Agencies handle many aspects of the surrogacy process, which can help to mitigate risks and ensure that everything is done correctly.
• Guidance and support: Agencies can provide guidance and support throughout the entire surrogacy process, including legal advice, emotional support, and coordination with medical professionals.

Cons of using a surrogate agency:

• Higher cost: Agency fees can be significant, adding to the overall cost of surrogacy.
• Less control: Agencies manage many aspects of the process, which may mean you have less control over certain decisions.

Pros of independent surrogacy:

• Lower cost: Independent surrogacy can be significantly cheaper than using an agency, especially if you already know a potential surrogate.
• More control: You have more control over the surrogacy process and can make decisions directly with the surrogate.

Cons of independent surrogacy:

• More time and effort: You will be responsible for managing all aspects of the surrogacy process, which can be time-consuming and require significant effort.
• Increased risk: Without the guidance and support of an agency, you may be at a higher risk of encountering unexpected challenges or complications.

How much does a surrogate agency charge?

The cost of using a surrogate agency can vary significantly depending on the agency, the services offered, and the specific details of your case. However, agency fees typically start at around $30,000 or more and these fees are routinely included in the surrogacy program. 

Can I do the surrogacy process without an agency?

Yes, you can do the surrogacy process without an agency (independent surrogacy). However, it is important to be aware of the challenges involved and to carefully consider the risks and benefits before making this decision.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Finding a surrogate: Finding a qualified and willing surrogate can be difficult without the help of an agency.
• Legal considerations: Surrogacy contracts and other legal agreements are complex and it is important to have legal counsel to ensure they are properly drafted and executed.
• Medical considerations: You will need to find a fertility clinic that is willing to work with you and the surrogate, and you will need to coordinate all aspects of the medical care.
• Financial considerations: You will be responsible for all of the costs associated with surrogacy, including the surrogate's compensation, medical expenses, legal fees, and other costs.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use a surrogate agency is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best choice for you will depend on your individual circumstances and priorities.

Wrapping Things Up

Choosing between agency-assisted and independent surrogacy involves careful consideration. While agencies provide streamlined processes and guidance, they involve a higher cost and less control. Independent surrogacy offers greater control but requires significant time and effort to manage the entire journey.

Regardless of your chosen path, surrogacy can be a rewarding experience, leading to the joy of welcoming a child into your family. Take your time, research your options, and seek professional guidance to make an informed decision.

Ethical Considerations:

Surrogacy is a complex and multifaceted process with ethical considerations that must be carefully addressed. It is crucial to ensure fair compensation for all involved parties, including the surrogate mother, and to uphold ethical standards throughout the journey. When considering international surrogacy, it is vital to research local laws and regulations, ensure the well-being of the surrogate, and prioritize ethical practices within the chosen destination.

Clarity on Cost Estimates:

The cost estimates presented in this article are minimums and can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances. Several factors can influence the total cost, including the type of surrogacy arrangement, the number of IVF cycles required, the location of the surrogate mother, potential medical complications, and additional services utilized. It is crucial to understand that the information provided serves as a starting point for exploration and cannot guarantee the exact cost of your surrogacy journey.

We recommend contacting experienced surrogacy agencies and obtaining personalized estimates tailored to your specific needs and preferences.