How Much Does a Surrogate Cost? Understanding Gestational Surrogacy Expenses (Infographic)

Updated: 01/2026

In the United States, a full gestational surrogacy journey typically costs the intended parent(s) $100,000 to $200,000, depending on factors like medical care, insurance, legal services, surrogate compensation, and agency support. 

At Circle Surrogacy, our gestational carriers are generally compensated $60,000 to $70,000+ for the incredible commitment involved in helping someone grow their family. Below, we break down what's included in total surrogacy costs, why pricing varies, and how Circle Surrogacy supports a secure, transparent process.

Why Surrogacy Costs What It Does

Surrogacy is so much more than a medical service—it is a carefully coordinated, compassionate, and ethically guided journey designed to support and protect everyone involved. The surrogacy cost reflects the many caring hands, safeguards, and expert services that help make the experience safe and successful for all.

Several key factors contribute to the overall cost of surrogacy:

Comprehensive Medical Care

Medical expenses include IVF cycles, embryo creation, medications, monitoring, pregnancy care, and delivery. If multiple embryo transfers are needed or if complications occur, costs may fluctuate. 

Legal Protection & Ethical Safeguards

Each surrogacy journey requires state-specific legal work to secure parental rights and ensure the surrogate's protection. Working with attorneys experienced in surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law is essential for a clear, ethical, and legally sound process.

Surrogate Compensation & Support

Our incredible surrogates are compensated with their base fee, as well as personal and home care payments. They will also be compensated for child care, travel, lost wages, and post-delivery care. Surrogates dedicate their time, mental commitment, and so much more to become gestational carriers, so we make sure they are well compensated and supported every step of the way. 

Agency Management & Expert Navigation

Partnering with an experienced agency like Circle provides you with a comprehensive support system. We handle screening of all potential surrogates, foster strong matches through our proprietary MatchMade™ process, coordinate financial and legal matters, and provide emotional guidance. This full-service care ensures the surrogacy journey remains safe, ethical, and well-managed for surrogates and intended parents alike.

Surrogacy Cost Breakdown

The average cost of surrogacy in the United States ranges from $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the needs and circumstances of each individual or couple. For example, costs may be lower when intended parents can use their own eggs or sperm or when frozen embryos from prior fertility treatments are already available.

Understanding each component of the process and the expected fees that go with it can help you prepare for the cost of surrogacy with more confidence.

Agency fee: ~$20,000–$40,000

This range depends on the services an agency provides, as each agency includes different offerings for its intended parents. Some agencies with a higher fee will perform all of the legal work, surrogate screening, trust account management, and more, while other agencies keep their agency fees lower and charge individually for these services.

Compensation to the surrogate: $60,000 - $70,000+

This cost reflects the typical  compensation for surrogates. Surrogates will receive additional compensation and benefits throughout the journey, and their compensation may become higher if the pregnancy results in multiple births.

Health insurance for the surrogate: $15,000 to $30,000

Many health insurers will not fully cover surrogacy. You can learn more about the type of health insurance coverage you'll need for your surrogate on our IVF & Insurance page.

Expenses and other payments to the surrogate: $10,000 to $15,000

Expenses might include maternity clothing, travel to the clinic, childcare, help with housekeeping at the end of pregnancy, additional life insurance, etc.

Legal fees: $3,000 to $15,000

You'll need an experienced surrogacy and family planning lawyer to help ensure that your journey proceeds according to the law, which can vary by state and affect your surrogacy costs.

Counseling services: ~$7,000

Most clinics require that both the intended parents and the surrogate undergo counseling, especially if the surrogate is doing it for the first time.

IVF or embryo implantation: Up to $25,000

This is more than traditional IVF for various reasons.

While surrogacy agencies provide detailed estimates, some costs may shift depending on circumstances. Common variable expenses include additional embryo transfers, unexpected medical complications, travel for appointments, legal proceedings, or delivery, lost wages, or additional reimbursements for the surrogate, as well as insurance changes or gaps in coverage.

At Circle Surrogacy, our process, pre-screening, and financial structure are designed to minimize surprises. We also offer our Journey Protection™​ Program, which comes at a set rate with built-in safeguards to provide you with cost security and the utmost care. 

How Do People Afford Surrogacy?

We understand—and many of us know firsthand—that surrogacy is a major financial commitment. Many intended parents build their budget using a combination of resources. Learn more about the most common options below.

Agency-Specific Protections

At Circle, we are dedicated to helping families grow by offering cost security through our all-inclusive Journey Protection™​ Program with a fixed price of $189,500. This allows intended parents to build their families without financial stress and uncertainty. Our  all-inclusive program ensures a predictable and secure surrogacy journey and includes:

• Fixed Costs: There are no unexpected fees or cost increases during the process, and what you pay covers agency fees, medical and legal costs, and surrogate compensation.

• Unlimited Transfers: You will not have to pay additional costs to cover multiple embryo transfers until a successful pregnancy is achieved. 

• Comprehensive Support: You will receive expert guidance from our team throughout the surrogacy journey. 

• No Questions Asked Refund: Provides financial protection in the case of unforeseen circumstances. Available if you do not bring home a baby. 

There are no surprise costs or invoices, even in scenarios that require a rematch with a new surrogate. 

In addition to our Journey Protection™​ Program, which provides the most security and protection for intended parents compared to any other agency or program, we also recommend some flexible financing options to our intended parents.  

Financing Options

Bank loans can help cover surrogacy costs. Intended parents often look into borrowing against their home's equity or taking out a second mortgage. If you have a 401k, a withdrawal is another option. Medical financing companies are also potential sources for paying off your IVF medical fees.

There are also specialized fertility lenders that offer low-interest loans, extended payment plans, and financing that bundles IVF and surrogacy services. For example, here at Circle, we have partnered with Sunfish, an organization that specializes in assisting with exploring financial feasibility for third-party family building purposes. Sunfish offers guidance and resources, including affordable loan options. You can speak with our Parent Intake or Consultation teams if you’d like to learn more about Sunfish!

Employer Family-Building Benefits

Fortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of companies now providing their employees with family-building coverage in their insurance plans. Some companies now offer surrogacy reimbursement, fertility benefits, medical stipends, and inclusive family-building programs. We recommend that each of our intended parents look into this option through their employer. 

Grants & Scholarships

Another option that sometimes offers financial aid and relief for intended parents is non-profit and family-building organizations that offer grants for fertility treatments, IVF cycles, or surrogacy-related expenses. While competitive, they can meaningfully reduce costs.

Insurance Coverage

We advise all intended parents to check with their employer's HR department to see if their insurance plan covers infertility or third-party reproduction costs. Evaluate other insurance options to see what's right for you. Insurance coverage varies depending on the intended parents' plan, the surrogate's policy, and state regulations. We can help you evaluate available coverage and identify opportunities to reduce out-of-pocket medical costs

Surrogacy Costs at Circle Surrogacy

It is important to understand the costs before embarking on your surrogacy journey. For a more detailed breakdown of the specific costs of surrogacy with our full-service agency, you can visit our Programs and Costs page. 

You can also email us at info@circlesurrogacy.com or call our office at 617.439.9900. We're happy to walk you through all of the costs intended parents can expect when becoming a parent with the help of Circle Surrogacy.