What is Embryo Adoption?

Embryo adoption is a process that gives you an opportunity to grow your family.

Adopting embryos is possible because of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and the generosity of others who have completed their family building journey.

Contact us online to get the support you deserve with making your dreams of parenthood come to life through embryo adoption. Whether that’s learning more about using adopted embryos for surrogacy or recommending reputable fertility clinics near you that have embryo adoption programs, we’re here for you.

This article can serve as your go-to all things related to adopting frozen embryos, from why it may be an option for your journey to the steps involved.

What is Embryo Adoption?

Embryo adoption is the legal process that transfers embryos that have been frozen and donated by families who have left over embryos after completing their IVF journey, whether that means they are done growing their family or no longer need them.

IVF cycles produce multiple embryos, but not all embryos will be used. These remaining embryos are:

Frozen for later use

Donated to research

Donated to other intended parent(s) or

Destroyed

Embryo adoption was a term originally coined by a Christian adoption agency, but comparing it to embryo donation is comparing two terms that are legally the same in terms of how they are regulated.

If you want to adopt an embryo, you should know that embryo adoption is not regulated by adoption law.

The Embryo Adoption Awareness Center puts it like this:

"Just to be very clear and transparent on all levels, in the U.S. embryo adoption is not considered a legal form of adoption because embryos are considered property, not people. Therefore, the process is governed by property contract law, not by adoption law. We are applying the best practices of adoption to the whole process, but adoption law does not apply."

- Embryo Adoption Awareness Center,

On Embryo Adoption Law

Is Embryo Adoption Right for Me?

Embryo adoption can be a good fit for:

Individuals or couples facing infertility
Families concerned about passing on genetic conditions
People who have experienced multiple IVF failures
LGBTQ+ couples or single parents
Families seeking a more affordable family-building option
Those who feel ethically drawn to giving life to frozen embryos

Unable to carry a pregnancy? Embryo adoption can also be used in coordination with a gestational surrogate. Here’s a deep dive into how surrogacy with adopted embryos works.

How Does Embryo Adoption Work? (Step-by-Step)

Every embryo adoption journey is unique, but here’s a general overview of the process:

Step 1: Choose Embryo Adoption

This decision often comes after weighing the pros and cons of IVF, donor egg IVF, or traditional adoption. Embryo adoption may be the right option if you have struggled to create embryos with your own gametes.

Step 2: Select a Provider or Agency

You can pursue embryo adoption through fertility clinics or specialized embryo adoption agencies. Some programs may emphasize anonymous donation, while others offer open or semi-open donor relationships.

Step 3: Complete a Home Study (May Be Required in Some States)

Some agencies and clinics may require a home study to assess your readiness for parenthood. Unlike traditional adoption, however, this step is not legally required in all cases.

Step 4: Matching with Donors

You’ll typically review donor profiles, which may include:

Medical history
Physical characteristics
Interests and values
Ethnic or cultural background

Depending on the program, you may choose known or anonymous donors.

Step 5: Legal Agreements

Even though the term "adoption" is used, embryo adoption is governed by property law, not adoption law. You’ll work with attorneys to draft a legal contract that:

Transfers ownership of the embryos
Terminates any parental rights from the donor
Establishes you as the intended parents of any resulting children

Step 6: Embryo Transfer

After legal steps are complete, the embryo(s) will be thawed and transferred to the uterus of either:

The intended mother
A gestational carrier (surrogate)

In both cases, the recipient will undergo medical screenings to ensure a healthy pregnancy environment.

Can I Use Embryo Adoption with a Surrogate?

Yes. If you’re unable to carry a pregnancy, you can use a gestational carrier to complete the embryo adoption process. The donated embryos are transferred to the surrogate, who carries the pregnancy on your behalf.

Already considering surrogacy? Our team at American Surrogacy can guide you through embryo adoption in tandem with finding and supporting a surrogate.

See Our Programs

What’s the Difference Between Embryo Adoption and Embryo Donation?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they carry different connotations:

Embryo Adoption	Embryo Donation
Ethically framed as giving a child a chance at life	Framed as a medical donation
May involve a home study and open donor relationships	Often anonymous and agency-led
Typically includes a legal contract with adoption-style practices	Simpler legal handoffs using contract law

Both are legally governed by property contracts, not adoption statutes.

Benefits of Embryo Adoption that May Surprise You

Lower cost: Typically $10,000–$15,000 vs. $20,000+ for IVF or $30,000+ for domestic adoption
Shorter wait times: Often faster than traditional adoption or the time it takes to complete IVF
High success rates: Especially when embryos are well-preserved and matched properly
Emotional reward: Many parents feel grateful to give life to embryos that might otherwise be destroyed or remain frozen
Surrogacy compatibility: Embryo adoption can be seamlessly paired with gestational surrogacy for those who cannot carry a pregnancy
Flexible paths to parenthood: Whether through personal pregnancy or surrogacy, embryo adoption offers inclusive options for diverse families

How Much Does Embryo Adoption Cost?

The cost of embryo adoption varies but generally falls between $10,000–$15,000. Key cost factors include:

Agency or clinic fees: These are the core administrative and coordination costs. Working with a full-service agency or high-end fertility clinic will usually increase this cost.
Legal contract and representation: Embryo adoption involves legally transferring parental rights. Hiring an attorney to draft and review these agreements is essential and adds to your expenses.
Embryo shipping and storage: If your embryos are stored off-site or need to be transported to your clinic, specialized shipping and continued cryopreservation fees can apply.
Medical screenings: Both the embryo donor and the recipient (or surrogate) must be screened to ensure medical safety, which includes lab work, ultrasounds, and other tests.
Embryo transfer procedure: This medical process involves thawing and implanting the embryo into the uterus, whether in the intended mother or a gestational surrogate. Costs may vary depending on clinic protocol and medications.
Optional home study or counseling: Some agencies require a psychological evaluation or home study to ensure emotional preparedness, especially when the process is structured more like traditional adoption.

Compared to IVF: One IVF cycle can cost $20,000–$25,000 or more — making embryo adoption a more cost-effective route for many.

Learn more: Our Affordable Surrogacy Programs and Fertility Financing Partner

Is Embryo Adoption Covered by Insurance?

In most cases, embryo adoption is not fully covered by insurance. While traditional health plans typically do not include the legal and agency-related costs of embryo adoption, certain medical components — like embryo transfer or necessary screenings — may be partially reimbursed depending on your provider and plan. It's important to speak with both your fertility clinic and insurance company to determine what elements, if any, can be submitted for coverage. Some employers also offer fertility benefits that may offset part of the cost.

Embryo Adoption Agencies: Your Options

When pursuing embryo adoption, you typically have two pathways: working through a fertility clinic with an embryo donation program or using a specialized embryo adoption agency. Fertility clinics often facilitate anonymous donations, while agencies may offer more structured processes and even open or semi-open donor relationships. Agencies can also help coordinate with legal professionals and surrogacy partners if needed.

Here are several nationwide embryo adoption agencies to consider:

Snowflakes Embryo Adoption Program (Nightlight Christian Adoptions) – One of the most established and widely recognized programs, known for faith-based values and comprehensive matching and legal support.
Embryo Adoption Services of Cedar Park – Offers personalized matching and support, with a focus on transparency and open relationships.
National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) – A prominent nonprofit that combines medical and ethical standards in their embryo donation and adoption services.
Hope for Embryos – A newer but growing agency offering streamlined matching and coordination, including surrogacy integration.

Some large fertility clinics may also have in-house programs. Always compare options based on services, donor information access, legal support, and flexibility around surrogacy integration.

Ethical and Emotional Considerations of Embryo Adoption

Embryo adoption carries unique emotional layers:

Gratitude toward donors
Hope after infertility or pregnancy loss
Moral conviction to preserve life
Concerns about donor medical history or future questions from the child

Programs differ in whether they allow open relationships between donor and recipient families, which can offer reassurance and shared values.

Embryo Adoption vs. IVF: What's the Difference?

Embryo Adoption	IVF
Use already created embryos donated by another family	Create embryos from your or your partneru2019s gametes
Lower cost, fewer medical procedures for recipients	Typically more expensive and invasive
No genetic link to intended parents	Greater genetic control

Need help choosing? Our team can walk you through your options and help you decide if embryo adoption for surrogacy is right for you.

Schedule a Consultation