Surrogacy can be a powerful family-building option for individuals and couples who need help bringing a child into the world. If you're beginning to explore this process in South Carolina, one of your first questions may be: How much does surrogacy cost, and how does it work here?
In this article, we’ll outline what intended parents can expect to pay for surrogacy in South Carolina, how those costs break down, and how the state’s legal climate impacts the process — along with how American Surrogacy can support your journey every step of the way.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in South Carolina?
The average cost of surrogacy in South Carolina typically ranges from $100,000 to $200,000+, depending on your surrogacy program, medical needs, surrogate compensation, and legal services. While South Carolina does not have a surrogacy-specific statute on the books, the state is generally surrogacy-permissive. Courts have historically enforced gestational surrogacy contracts when they’re properly drafted, and pre-birth parentage orders are often granted — particularly for married couples.
With careful legal coordination and a knowledgeable agency, surrogacy in South Carolina is both possible and secure.
American Surrogacy’s Programs in South Carolina
American Surrogacy offers three distinct program options to meet a range of family needs and budget levels:
- 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): Best for intended parents who already have a surrogate match. This program covers coordination but excludes IVF, compensation, and legal fees. Independent journeys still usually exceed $100,000 in total.
For a full breakdown, explore our Full-Service Programs or learn more about the Independent Program.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
Surrogacy costs in South Carolina typically include:
- Agency fees: Covering surrogate screening and matching with a qualified surrogate, case management, trust account administration, legal and medical coordination, and ongoing support
- Surrogate compensation: Base pay and reimbursements for lost wages, travel, childcare, maternity items, and other pregnancy-related needs
- Legal services: Drafting surrogacy contracts, filing pre-birth parentage petitions (when applicable), and ensuring compliance with South Carolina law
- Medical expenses: IVF cycles, fertility medications, embryo transfers, and prenatal and delivery care
These services are necessary to create a safe, organized, and legally enforceable surrogacy experience.
Understanding Agency Services and Surrogate Compensation
Your agency fees cover the full spectrum of support needed to manage a surrogacy journey. From finding and screening a surrogate to handling medical scheduling and legal documentation, American Surrogacy ensures that each step is professionally coordinated. Every family works with a dedicated case specialist for consistent support.
In South Carolina, surrogate base compensation generally starts at $50,000. Once reimbursements are included, most total compensation packages range from $60,000 to $75,000 or more, depending on the surrogate’s needs and experience. Reimbursed expenses may include:
- Travel and lodging
- Maternity supplies
- Health insurance premiums and co-pays
- Childcare and time off work
All compensation is managed through a third-party escrow account for transparency and security.
Managing Financial Uncertainty
Surrogacy involves many moving parts, and unexpected events — such as re-matching or unsuccessful embryo transfers — can increase costs. American Surrogacy’s Limited Risk Program offers protection against these disruptions, helping you stay on budget even if complications arise.
This program is ideal for families who want greater cost predictability throughout their journey.
How Much Does a Surrogate Cost in South Carolina?
Surrogates in South Carolina generally receive $50,000 in base compensation, with total compensation often reaching $60,000 to $75,000+ after reimbursements are factored in.
If you’re working through the Independent Program, compensation is arranged and paid directly by the intended parents. Even with a known surrogate, most independent journeys still exceed $100,000 once all services are included.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance in South Carolina?
While insurance typically doesn’t cover agency fees or surrogate compensation, it may help offset medical costs related to:
- IVF procedures and testing
- Fertility medications
- Maternity and delivery care (if the surrogate has qualifying coverage)
Major insurers in South Carolina include Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Molina Healthcare, and UnitedHealthcare. Our intake team will review all available plans and help secure supplemental policies if needed.
How Much Does IVF and Surrogacy Cost?
If you’re undergoing IVF as part of your surrogacy journey, you’ll also need to budget for services such as:
- Fertility evaluations and medication
- Embryo creation and transfer
- Donor sperm or eggs (if needed)
- Lab work and ongoing monitoring
Families in South Carolina often work with fertility clinics in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville. We’ll help connect you with a provider that fits your budget and treatment goals.
Affording Surrogacy
Surrogacy is a large investment, but there are multiple resources available to help make it more accessible. In addition to our affordable surrogacy programs, intended parents often use:
Grants and scholarships:
- Baby Quest Foundation
- Men Having Babies GPAP Program
- Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation
- Journey to Parenthood
Employer-sponsored fertility benefits, often provided through:
- Carrot Fertility
- Progyny
Additional financial strategies: HSAs, home equity loans, 401(k) loans, and support from family members are also helpful tools.
Affording Surrogacy: Fertility Financing Options
Our team is happy to walk you through these options and help create a custom plan based on your unique goals. To help ensure you work with a trusted service provider, we have a surrogacy financing partner who provides 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?
Surrogacy in South Carolina may not be governed by statute, but it’s still a legally supported and frequently completed process — when handled by experienced professionals. Here’s why families choose American Surrogacy:
- Fast surrogate matching: Most families are matched in 1 to 4 months with a pre-screened surrogate
- Legal experience in South Carolina: We work with attorneys who understand how to navigate county-by-county differences in pre-birth parentage orders
- Consistent, dedicated support: You’ll work with a single case specialist throughout your journey
- Program options for every path: Whether you need full service or are starting with a known surrogate, we have a program to match
- Balanced and ethical care: We advocate for the well-being of both intended parents and surrogates to support successful, respectful partnerships
We’re here to ensure that your journey to parenthood is safe, informed, and fully supported from the very beginning.
Next Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey
South Carolina offers a surrogacy-permissive legal environment, and with the right team, it’s possible to complete a secure and successful journey here. Whether you’re just beginning or already have a surrogate in mind, we’ll help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
If you're ready to begin, contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist and explore your options for building a family in South Carolina.