Surrogacy offers a life-changing opportunity for intended parents who need help bringing a child into the world. If you're exploring this path in Tennessee, one of the first things you’ll likely want to understand is how much it costs — and what the legal landscape looks like for a surrogacy journey here.
This guide explains how much surrogacy costs in Tennessee, what expenses are involved, how the legal system addresses surrogacy, and how American Surrogacy can walk with you through each step of the process.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the average cost of a surrogacy journey typically falls between $100,000 and $200,000+. This total includes surrogate compensation, agency support, legal and medical coordination, and insurance coverage planning.
While Tennessee does not currently have a surrogacy statute, the state is considered surrogacy-permissive. Courts have historically enforced gestational surrogacy contracts, especially when they are properly drafted and supported by experienced legal professionals. With the right agency and legal team, a safe and legally protected surrogacy experience is absolutely possible in Tennessee.
American Surrogacy’s Programs in Tennessee
To accommodate a range of financial needs and levels of support, American Surrogacy offers three program options:
- Limited Risk Program ($169,900 - $179,000+): A full-service option that includes financial protections for events like failed embryo transfers, rematches, and early complications. Most intended parents are matched with a surrogate in 1 to 4 months.
- Foundation Program ($115,400 - $170,000+): A pay-as-you-go model that includes full coordination but fewer financial safeguards. This is ideal for families who want to manage payments over time.
- Independent Program (starting at $17,000): Designed for families who already have a surrogate match in place. This plan includes coordination but does not cover compensation, IVF, or legal services. Most independent journeys still exceed $100,000 overall.
You can compare the details of each option on our Full-Service Programs or Independent Program pages.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
A typical surrogacy journey in Tennessee includes costs across the following categories:
- Agency fees: Covering case management, qualified surrogate matching, screening, legal and medical coordination, scheduling, and trust account oversight
- Surrogate compensation: Base pay and reimbursement for pregnancy-related expenses such as travel, maternity supplies, lost wages, childcare, and insurance premiums
- Legal services: Drafting and enforcing gestational surrogacy contracts and securing parentage orders according to Tennessee court procedures
- Medical costs: IVF procedures, fertility medications, embryo transfer, prenatal monitoring, and delivery
These costs provide structure and support for a medically and legally secure journey.
Understanding Agency Services and Surrogate Compensation
Agency services are essential for a smooth surrogacy experience. American Surrogacy provides full support at every stage of the journey — including matching with a surrogate, managing logistics, navigating insurance, and coordinating with attorneys and clinics. Every family works with a dedicated case specialist to ensure consistent guidance.
In Tennessee, surrogates are typically compensated with a base fee of $50,000. When reimbursements are included, total compensation packages often reach $60,000 to $75,000 or more. These reimbursements often cover:
- Maternity clothing and wellness care
- Lost income and childcare
- Travel and lodging
- Insurance premiums and medical co-pays
Payments are handled through an escrow account to ensure accountability and protect both parties.
Minimizing Unexpected Costs
Even with a solid plan in place, unexpected events — such as a failed transfer or surrogate withdrawal — can increase overall costs. That’s why we offer the Limited Risk Program, which includes financial protections that help reduce the impact of common disruptions.
This option gives families peace of mind by creating a more predictable and stable budget from the outset.
How Much Does a Surrogate Cost in Tennessee?
The cost of a surrogate in Tennessee generally starts at $50,000 for base compensation. When you add reimbursements for travel, maternity items, lost wages, and other related expenses, the total usually falls between $60,000 and $75,000 or more.
If you’re using the Independent Program, compensation is arranged separately. Still, most journeys — even with a known surrogate — cost over $100,000 when medical, legal, and logistical expenses are fully considered.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance in Tennessee?
While insurance generally doesn’t cover surrogate compensation or agency services, it may reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for medical care by covering:
- IVF and fertility diagnostics
- Fertility medications
- Prenatal care and delivery (if the surrogate has qualifying coverage)
Common insurers in Tennessee include BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, United Healthcare, and Cigna. Our team will review your policies — and your surrogate’s — and recommend supplemental insurance if necessary.
How Much Does IVF and Surrogacy Cost?
If IVF is part of your surrogacy journey, it will add several costs to your total. These may include:
- IVF cycles and embryo transfers
- Fertility medications
- Donor sperm or eggs, if applicable
- Lab testing, consultations, and monitoring
Families in Tennessee often work with fertility clinics in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville. We’ll help you find a provider that fits your treatment needs and budget.
Affording Surrogacy
Surrogacy can feel financially overwhelming, but there are many resources available to help. In addition to our affordable program options, many families in Tennessee explore:
Grant and scholarship programs:
- Baby Quest Foundation
- Men Having Babies GPAP Program
- Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation
- Journey to Parenthood
Employer-sponsored fertility benefits through platforms like:
- Carrot Fertility
- Progyny
Other strategies such as health savings accounts (HSAs), home equity loans, 401(k) loans, or family contributions
Affording Surrogacy: Fertility Financing Options
To help ensure you work with a trusted service provider, we have partnered with a surrogacy loan provider who offers excellent services that help make surrogacy more affordable:
Sunfish: Sunfish offers low-interest fertility loans for IVF, surrogacy, and egg donors for American Surrogacy. They make parenthood attainable for all types of families through financial solutions, support, and guidance.
Learn more about financing your surrogacy through Sunfish here.
Why Choose American Surrogacy?
In Tennessee, where surrogacy is legally feasible but not explicitly regulated by statute, working with a trusted agency is essential. Here’s why families choose American Surrogacy:
- Most intended parents are matched in just 1 to 4 months
- We work with legal professionals who understand how to structure enforceable contracts in Tennessee’s court system
- You’ll work with a single case specialist from start to finish
- Our programs are designed to meet the needs of families at every stage of their journey
- We provide ethical, compassionate care for both surrogates and intended parents
With our team, you’ll receive honest, detailed guidance throughout the entire process — from your first consultation to bringing your baby home.
Next Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey
While Tennessee does not have formal surrogacy legislation, the state’s legal framework supports gestational surrogacy through existing contract law and parentage procedures. With an experienced legal team and agency, you can confidently pursue surrogacy here, regardless of your background or family structure.
If you're ready to begin, contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist and take the next step toward growing your family.