Surrogacy is a beautiful way to grow your family — and like any major life decision, it comes with emotional and financial considerations. If you're exploring this path, understanding the costs involved can help you prepare and move forward with confidence.
If you’re considering surrogacy in Minnesota, you may be asking: How much does surrogacy cost in Minnesota? In this article, we’ll walk through the key financial components of a surrogacy journey, what to expect in your state, and how American Surrogacy supports families through each step.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Minnesota?
The average cost of surrogacy in Minnesota ranges from $100,000 to $200,000+, depending on the type of program you select, medical and legal needs, and surrogate compensation. The state has a strong history of honoring surrogacy agreements, making it a workable and supportive environment for intended parents.
With professional guidance and the right legal protections, you can safely and confidently complete a surrogacy journey in Minnesota.
American Surrogacy’s Programs in Minnesota
American Surrogacy offers three flexible programs to meet your needs, budget, and preferred level of financial protection:
- 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): For families who already have a surrogate. This includes coordination and oversight but excludes compensation, IVF, and legal services. Most independent journeys still cost over $100,000.
To review which program fits your journey best, visit our Full-Service Programs or explore the Independent Program.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
A typical surrogacy journey in Minnesota includes costs for the following services:
- Agency fees: Surrogate screening, matching with a qualified surrogate, ongoing case management, 24/7 support, and coordination of legal and medical services
- Surrogate compensation: Base pay plus reimbursements for maternity needs, travel, childcare, lost wages, and more
- Legal services: Contract drafting, parentage orders, and ensuring legal compliance under Minnesota family law
- Medical expenses: IVF, embryo transfer, fertility medications, prenatal monitoring, and delivery
These services ensure that your journey is not only ethical and well-managed but also legally secure and emotionally supported.
Understanding Agency Fees and Surrogate Compensation
Agency fees cover the essential support needed to manage your journey successfully — including emotional guidance, scheduling, coordination with medical providers, insurance review, and surrogate advocacy.
So how much does a surrogate cost in Minnesota? Most surrogates begin with base compensation around $50,000, and full compensation packages — including travel, lost wages, and additional care — typically range from $60,000 to $75,000 or more. These funds are managed through a licensed escrow provider to ensure that payments are accurate, timely, and transparent.
Avoiding Hidden and Unexpected Surrogacy Costs
Financial uncertainty can make surrogacy feel intimidating — but American Surrogacy’s Limited Risk Program is designed to help you avoid those surprises. This program includes protection for many of the most common financial disruptions, such as canceled transfers, rematches, and early medical complications.
It’s the best fit for families who want to move forward with a fixed budget and greater peace of mind.
How Much Does a Surrogate Cost in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, base compensation for surrogates often begins at $50,000. With reimbursements for pregnancy-related costs and additional needs, the total compensation is typically $60,000 to $75,000+.
Families using the Independent Program are responsible for coordinating these payments on their own, in addition to legal and medical costs. Even with a known surrogate, total costs often exceed $100,000.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance in Minnesota?
How much surrogacy costs with insurance in Minnesota depends on your specific plan and the surrogate’s coverage. While surrogate compensation and agency fees are typically not covered, insurance may provide partial or full coverage for:
- IVF treatment and lab work
- Fertility medications
- Maternity care and delivery
Minnesota residents often carry insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, or UCare. Our team will evaluate your policy — and your surrogate’s — to determine what is covered and whether supplemental insurance may be needed.
How Much Does IVF and Surrogacy Cost?
When IVF is part of the surrogacy process, your overall costs increase due to additional medical services. These may include:
- IVF treatment and embryo transfer procedures
- Embryo creation
- Fertility medications
- Donor sperm or eggs (if needed)
- Monitoring, testing, and lab services
Fertility clinics in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester offer high-quality services, and we can help you find a clinic that fits your budget and goals.
Affording Surrogacy
Surrogacy is a significant investment, but many families in Minnesota find it manageable with the right support and financial strategy. In addition to our affordable surrogacy programs, you may benefit from:
Grants and financial assistance such as:
- Baby Quest Foundation
- Men Having Babies GPAP Program
- Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation
- Journey to Parenthood
Employer-provided fertility benefits from platforms like:
- Carrot Fertility
- Progyny
Personal financing tools, including HSAs, home equity loans, or borrowing from a 401(k) or IRA, are other options to explore as well.
Affording Surrogacy: Fertility Financing Options
Our team is happy to help you explore each option and build a funding plan that works for your family. 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?
When it comes to surrogacy in Minnesota, choosing the right agency is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Here’s why so many families trust American Surrogacy:
- Fast, reliable matches: Most intended parents are matched with a surrogate in just 1 to 4 months, minimizing delays and uncertainty
- Deep legal coordination: We work with attorneys familiar with Minnesota’s surrogacy landscape to ensure your contracts and court orders are solid
- Dedicated case management: You’ll have a single point of contact throughout your journey — someone who knows your story and advocates for your needs
- Total transparency: Our programs are clearly priced, and our Limited Risk Program helps prevent financial surprises
- Comprehensive care: We support both you and your surrogate through the legal, medical, and emotional parts of the process
At American Surrogacy, we don’t just manage the logistics — we help create life-changing experiences for everyone involved. We’re here to ensure that you feel empowered, informed, and supported from start to finish.
Next Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey
While Minnesota doesn’t currently have surrogacy-specific statutes, the state recognizes and supports gestational surrogacy agreements through well-established legal processes. Intended parents across a range of backgrounds — including LGBTQ+ individuals and couples — can pursue this path with confidence.
If you’re ready to learn more, contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist about beginning your surrogacy journey in Minnesota.