There are ways to spend less on surrogacy—but here’s the thing: cutting corners on the important stuff can actually put your whole journey at risk.

The real trick isn’t finding the cheapest option out there. It’s knowing where to invest smartly so you don’t waste time, money, or your peace of mind.

Speak with a specialist who can show you the smartest path forward—not just the cheapest one.

Let’s talk about what surrogacy actually costs, the sneaky expenses that come with “bargain” options, and how the right financing can make this way more doable than you think.

Are There Cheaper Ways to Do Surrogacy?

Sure, there are cheaper ways to do surrogacy. But cheaper doesn’t always mean better—or even less expensive when everything’s said and done.

Surrogacy costs what it does for a reason. Every dollar goes toward things that actually matter: making sure your surrogate is healthy and ready, protecting you legally, keeping everything organized, and supporting you through what’s honestly one of the most complicated things you’ll ever do.

When you see agencies advertising way lower prices, it usually means they’ve cut out some of these services.

That might save you money at first, but it often leads to longer waits, matches that fall through, surprise legal bills, or medical issues—and all of that ends up costing you more than what you saved.

So the real question isn’t “How do I make surrogacy cheaper?” It’s “How do I do this smartly so I don’t end up paying twice?”

The Real Costs You Can’t Cut — and Why They Matter

No matter what, there are some expenses you just have to plan for. These aren’t optional—they’re what makes surrogacy safe and legal:

• IVF and Creating Embryos: You need IVF to create embryos for gestational surrogacy. This includes medications, egg retrieval, sperm collection (or donor sperm), and transferring embryos to your surrogate.
• Egg or Sperm Donation (If You Need It): If you’re using donor eggs or sperm, you’ll pay for donor compensation, medical screening, and the legal paperwork.
• Paying Your Surrogate: Your surrogate deserves fair compensation for carrying your baby, plus all her pregnancy-related medical care, maternity clothes, travel to appointments, and lost wages if complications come up.
• Legal Fees: You absolutely need a lawyer to write up contracts, establish your parental rights, and handle your state’s specific laws. Skip this and you could end up in a custody nightmare.
• Insurance: Your surrogate needs insurance that covers surrogacy. Pregnancy complications can get expensive fast, and without the right coverage, you could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Travel and Baby Costs: You’ll travel for the birth and might need to stay for weeks while you establish parental rights. Plus, you need all the newborn basics—car seat, clothes, doctor visits.

These aren’t extras. They’re the foundation. Trying to save money here can mess up your whole journey.

Why “Cheaper” Surrogacy Can End Up Costing More

Lower prices look great when you’re already stressed about money. But “affordable” surrogacy usually comes with costs that pop up later—sometimes when it’s too late to fix them.

Here’s what you’re really risking:

Why Low-Cost Surrogacy Agencies Can Cost You More

Some agencies advertise “no upfront costs” or super low fees. Sounds great, right? Until you realize what you’re not getting.

Low-cost agencies often skip important steps like thorough surrogate screening. You might match with someone who isn’t actually ready—medically, mentally, or legally.

When that match fails, you start over. You pay for marketing, screening, and legal work all over again.

Many low cost surrogacy agency options also give you minimal support, so you’re mostly on your own coordinating appointments, legal stuff, and communication.

Then there are the surprise fees. Some agencies don’t tell you about certain costs upfront.

Suddenly you’re hit with legal bills, insurance gaps, or surrogate expenses that weren’t in your original contract. What looked cheap at the start ends up costing more—plus you’ve lost months of time.

Surrogacy Without an Agency: How the Costs Add Up

Going independent—doing it yourself—can seem like a money-saver. If you already know someone who’ll carry your baby, why pay an agency?

Here’s why: DIY surrogacy removes all the safety nets. Without professional screening, you don’t really know if your surrogate is ready.

Without legal help from day one, you’re wide open to custody fights or money disputes. And without case management, you’re juggling every appointment, legal step, and insurance detail yourself.

Independent surrogacy usually takes way longer because you don’t have an agency’s marketing and matching help. A lot of intended parents spend months—even years—trying to find and vet someone on their own.

If you do have a surrogate already, we can help. Our independent surrogacy program lets you bring her in and we’ll handle screening, legal support, and case management. We even do a free initial screening to make sure your match is set up right.

What You Actually Get When You Invest in a Full-Service Agency

When you work with a full-service agency, you’re not just paying for a service, you’re paying for a whole system that makes your journey safer, faster, and way more likely to succeed.

Here’s what you’re really getting:

• Surrogate Screening: Good agencies screen thoroughly—medical history, psychological readiness, finances, legal stuff—before a surrogate even gets to you. This cuts down on failed matches, medical problems, and legal drama.
• Finding Your Match: Finding a qualified surrogate takes time and know-how. Agencies recruit, vet, and present matches based on what you want and need—something you’d have to do totally alone otherwise.
• Legal Protection: Professional legal teams write contracts, establish your parental rights, and handle your state’s laws. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s what keeps you safe from custody battles and financial fights.
• Case Management: Someone coordinates medical appointments, manages surrogate expenses, and fixes problems when they come up. They’re your advocates and guides through every step.

These aren’t “extras.” They’re what makes the difference between a smooth journey and one full of expensive delays and heartbreak.

How Full-Service Agencies Protect Your Finances

The right agency doesn’t just spend your money—they protect it.

At American Surrogacy, we screen every surrogate hard before we ever introduce her to you.

That means you’re only matching with people who’ve already passed medical, psychological, and legal checks. Fewer failed matches mean fewer do-overs.

Fewer do-overs mean you’re not paying twice.

Our Limited Risk Program gives you financial protection. If a match falls through for covered reasons, we’ll match you again at no extra cost. That eliminates one of the scariest parts: starting over and losing everything you already paid.

Think about it this way—you’re not just paying for a surrogate. You’re paying for confidence that your journey won’t blow up halfway through.

Surrogacy Financing Options that Support Your Budget

Surrogacy is expensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. There are several surrogacy financing options that can help:

• Fertility Loans: We partner with Sunfish, a company that does loans specifically for surrogacy and IVF. They offer payment plans based on your situation.
• Grants: Some organizations give grants to intended parents pursuing surrogacy. You don’t have to pay these back.
• Employer Benefits: More companies are covering fertility stuff, including surrogacy. Check with HR.
• Personal Loans: Some families use personal loans or credit lines for upfront costs, then pay them back over time.
• 401(k) Money: If you have retirement savings, you might be able to borrow from your 401(k) or take a hardship withdrawal.

Make Surrogacy Secure and Successful with American Surrogacy’s Full-Service Approach

There are always cheaper ways to do surrogacy—but the real value comes from doing it safely and confidently. With American Surrogacy, your investment goes toward protection, not risk.

Ready to stop worrying and start moving forward? Get started with American Surrogacy today.

We’ve helped thousands of families do this successfully—and we’re ready to help you too.