Current Match Time:
Found your own surrogate? Director of Community Resources, Wade Morris, explains why independent surrogacy is easier with support, and how American Surrogacy screens your surrogate and manages the process start to finish. The Truth About Independent Surrogacy Nobody Tells You
If you already have a surrogate, total surrogacy costs $24,000+.
Some intended parents have a willing friend or family member to lower matching fees and keep family-building costs more manageable for their budget. While skipping agency matching lowers your upfront price, required medical clearance, legal contracts, and journey management remain standard expenses.
Our agency provides specialized support through our Independent Surrogacy Program to keep your overall surrogacy cost, and options, transparent and manageable.
You can also learn more about surrogacy within a realistic budget by getting in touch with us to see how our programs safeguard your investment.
What Costs Stay the Same Even If You Already Have a Surrogate?
Even when you bring your own surrogate, core medical, legal, and case management expenses remain standard across every journey. These core services protect your financial investment and keep your legal process on track.
Through our Independent Surrogacy Program, standard expenses managed within your total estimated surrogacy costs include:
Base pay, monthly allowances, and out-of-pocket pregnancy coverage. Specialist guidance, medical screening oversight, and ongoing journey monitoring. Independent attorneys for both parties to draft contracts, manage legal filings, and obtain parentage orders. Comprehensive insurance policy reviews, clinical protocol coordination, and licensed escrow accounting.
Other required expenses fall outside agency management fees because external providers charge them directly, such as:
- IVF and Fertility Clinic Fees: Embryo creation, medications, and medical transfer protocols.
- Travel and Lodging: Expenses for medical screenings, transfer day, and delivery travel.
- Newborn Expenses: Hospital delivery bills, pediatrician care, and health insurance for your baby.
Understanding these distinct fee categories helps you budget accurately without hidden financial surprises.
Does a Friend or Family Member Still Need Screening?
Yes, every surrogate candidate must pass comprehensive screening before beginning medical protocols, even if she's a close friend or family member. Personal trust can't replace objective medical evaluation, background checks, or psychological readiness assessments.
Thorough surrogate screening protects your personal relationship by catching medical or legal risks early and that’s why we offer free pre-screening for your candidate through our Independent Program.
Our specialists review her medical background and conduct initial background checks at no cost to you.
While our agency pre-screening is free, you'll pay medical screening fees directly to your fertility clinic. Clinic physicians must evaluate her uterine health, bloodwork, and medical records before issuing final clearance.
Agency Support vs. Doing Everything Yourself
Managing a surrogacy without professional oversight leaves you responsible for legal contracts, escrow accounting, and clinic schedules alone.
Unexpected delays or administrative errors can quickly increase costs and strain personal relationships.
You can compare our full-service surrogacy programs with independent options to see which route fits your comfortability:
Selecting professional management gives you clarity and keeps administrative details organized.
American Surrogacy's Independent Program
Our Independent Surrogacy Program provides a practical hybrid model that gives you professional protection without paying agency matching fees. You keep your chosen surrogate while we handle the legal, financial, and administrative steps.
Most agencies force you to choose between full-service fees or zero administrative support. We fill that gap with these customized independent services:
This hybrid setup combines cost savings with full administrative protection.
When Choosing a Pre-Screened Surrogate May Be the Better Investment
Choosing an agency pre-screened surrogate protects your timeline from costly delays if a known candidate turns out to be medically or legally ineligible. Known candidates haven't completed medical evaluations in advance.
Understanding how agencies find and screen qualified surrogates helps you compare candidate readiness before making financial commitments. If a known candidate fails clinic screening, your journey stops until you find another surrogate.
Choosing a pre-screened candidate reduces clinic rejection risks, keeping your timeline moving forward efficiently.
Next Steps if You've Already Found a Surrogate
If you've already found a surrogate, your next step is confirming her medical and legal readiness. Partnering with specialists protects your personal relationship while guiding you through every stage.
You can speak with a surrogacy specialist to review your surrogate's eligibility and compare fee structures today. We help you evaluate your candidate, set up escrow, and handle legal contracts smoothly.
Taking this step protects your personal relationship while giving your family professional guidance from start to finish.
Independent Program vs. Full-Service Program
Deciding between our Independent Surrogacy Program and our full-service surrogacy programs depends on your matching status and financial risk tolerance.
We provide flexible options across different price points so you can build your family securely.
Our full-service program includes our Limited Risk Program. This financial protection waives repeat agency fees if a match or embryo transfer disrupts unexpectedly.
While our independent path saves on upfront matching costs, full-service programs offer comprehensive financial security and rapid rematching.
Evaluating both structures ensures you select the best financial shield for your journey.
Disclaimer: The financial information on this site is for general educational purposes only and doesn't constitute formal financial or legal advice. Total expenses, fee structures, and third-party costs vary based on individual circumstances and location.