Starting a family through surrogacy is one of the most meaningful decisions a person or couple can make. But before you begin this life-changing journey, it’s essential to understand the financial commitment involved. Knowing what costs to expect upfront can help you prepare with confidence and peace of mind.
If you’re considering surrogacy in Maryland, you might be asking: How much does surrogacy cost in Maryland? In this article, we’ll walk through the typical costs, legal considerations, and how American Surrogacy can support your journey from start to finish.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Maryland?
The cost of surrogacy in Maryland typically ranges from $100,000 to $200,000+, depending on factors such as the program you choose, surrogate compensation, medical procedures, legal services, and insurance. Maryland is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the country, with a legal framework that supports enforceable contracts and protects the rights of both intended parents and gestational carriers.
With supportive laws and the right professionals guiding your experience, Maryland is an ideal state to pursue surrogacy.
American Surrogacy’s Programs in Maryland
At American Surrogacy, we offer three customizable programs that allow you to choose the level of support and protection that fits your goals and financial needs:
- 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): Tailored for families who already have a surrogate match. This program includes case management and coordination but does not cover medical, legal, or compensation costs. Total expenses still typically exceed $100,000.
To compare these paths in detail, visit our Full-Service Programs or learn more about our Independent Program.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
Typical surrogacy expenses in Maryland include:
- Agency fees: These cover professional support, qualified surrogate screening, matching, 24/7 guidance, and coordination of medical and legal services.
- Surrogate compensation: Base pay plus reimbursements for pregnancy-related expenses like travel, lost wages, and maternity needs.
- Legal services: Drafting and reviewing contracts, establishing parentage through pre-birth orders, and ensuring legal compliance with Maryland laws.
- Medical costs: IVF treatment, embryo transfer, fertility medications, and prenatal and delivery care.
Each of these elements plays a vital role in ensuring a legally protected and ethically managed journey.
Understanding Agency Fees and Surrogate Compensation
Agency fees support every stage of your surrogacy experience. At American Surrogacy, we provide dedicated case management, emotional support, scheduling, legal referrals, and trust account oversight so you can focus on your family-building journey.
In Maryland, surrogate compensation typically starts at $50,000, with total compensation packages — including reimbursements — ranging from $60,000 to $75,000 or more. Commonly reimbursed expenses include:
- Travel and lodging for appointments
- Lost wages and childcare
- Maternity clothing
- Health insurance premiums and medical costs
- Counseling and support services
All financial transactions are managed through a licensed escrow account to ensure transparency and timely payment.
Avoiding Hidden and Unexpected Surrogacy Costs
Surrogacy is a significant financial undertaking, and many families worry about unforeseen costs. Our Limited Risk Program is specifically designed to reduce this burden by offering coverage for common disruptions such as failed IVF cycles or re-matching. This added layer of protection provides budget stability and peace of mind.
How Much Does a Surrogate Cost in Maryland?
The base cost of a surrogate in Maryland typically begins around $50,000, but full compensation packages usually fall between $60,000 and $75,000+ once additional expenses are factored in. These totals vary depending on the surrogate’s experience and needs.
For families using the Independent Program, surrogate compensation is not included in the program fee but is still required and should be fully budgeted for. Even with an identified surrogate, total costs typically exceed $100,000 once legal, medical, and compensation expenses are included.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance in Maryland?
How much surrogacy costs with insurance in Maryland depends on your specific plan and whether the surrogate’s coverage can be applied to the pregnancy. While most policies do not cover agency fees or compensation, they may help with:
- Fertility diagnostics and IVF treatment
- Fertility medications
- Maternity and delivery costs
Major providers in Maryland include CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, and Kaiser Permanente. Our team will review both your policy and your surrogate’s coverage early in the process to identify available benefits and address any gaps.
How Much Does IVF and Surrogacy Cost?
If IVF is part of your surrogacy journey, additional services will be required. Here’s a list of expenses typically involved:
- IVF treatment and procedures
- Embryo creation
- Fertility medications
- Donor sperm or eggs (if needed)
- Monitoring, testing, and lab work
We can help you choose a fertility clinic in Maryland or nearby that fits your needs, preferences, and financial plan.
Affording Surrogacy
Surrogacy is a major investment, but with the right planning, it’s an achievable goal for many families in Maryland. In addition to affordable surrogacy programs, there are several resources that can make the process more accessible:
Grant programs such as:
- Baby Quest Foundation
- Men Having Babies GPAP Program
- Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation
- Journey to Parenthood
Employer fertility benefits through providers like:
- Carrot Fertility
- Progyny
Financing tools including home equity lines of credit, HSAs, or retirement account loans, are also worth looking into.
Affording Surrogacy: Fertility Financing Options
Our team can help you explore the best combination of options to make your surrogacy journey financially manageable. 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?
Choosing the right agency can make all the difference in your surrogacy experience. Here’s why families in Maryland and across the country choose American Surrogacy:
- Proven expertise: We’ve helped hundreds of families grow through surrogacy and understand the emotional and legal complexities involved.
- Reliable match times: Most intended parents are matched with a surrogate in just 1 to 4 months, thanks to our actively engaged and thoroughly screened network.
- Full-service coordination: From legal paperwork to medical scheduling and emotional support, we manage every step of the process so you can focus on becoming a parent.
- Legal experience in Maryland: We work closely with attorneys who are familiar with Maryland’s supportive surrogacy laws, helping ensure your parental rights are protected.
- Clear, upfront pricing: No hidden fees. No last-minute costs. Our programs — especially the Limited Risk Program — are designed to keep your budget on track.
Beyond the logistics, what sets us apart is our commitment to you. We believe in building real relationships, supporting you through every high and low, and helping you build the family you’ve dreamed of.
Next Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey
Maryland is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the U.S., with laws that allow enforceable surrogacy contracts and straightforward parentage establishment. Whether you are single, partnered, married, or LGBTQ+, you can pursue surrogacy confidently with the right team by your side.
If you're ready to take the next step, contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist and begin your journey to parenthood.