Skip to Content (Press Enter)

globe

The Ultimate Guide to Surrogacy in Florida

When you first begin looking into surrogacy—whether you are a woman interested in becoming a surrogate mother or intended parents hoping to grow your family through surrogacy—it can feel a little overwhelming. Circle Surrogacy is here to help you navigate surrogacy in Florida, from the surrogacy process and how to become a surrogate to how to find a surrogate and much more.

Circle Surrogacy – headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices across the US – has been helping straight and LGBTQ+ singles and couples in Florida grow their families through surrogacy and egg donation for more than 27 years.

If you're researching the best surrogacy agencies in Florida, we're ready to help intended parents and surrogates from cities and towns throughout the state – from Miami and Tampa to Orlando and Jacksonville and everywhere in between. Speak with Circle to start your surrogacy journey today!
 Intended Parents Research Surrogacy on Computer

Table of Contents

 An Overview of Surrogacy in Florida

An Overview of Surrogacy in Florida

Florida is a surrogacy-friendly state for both gestational carriers and intended parents. Whether you live in a large city, such as Miami, Tampa, Orlando – or anywhere in between – here's everything you need to know about gestational surrogacy.

Surrogacy is a method of growing a family that allows couples and individuals from various backgrounds, ages, and sexual orientations the opportunity to build their families – people who would not be able to do so on their own.

Intended parents from Florida who use surrogacy include:

• Heterosexual couples who have struggled with infertility
• Intended mothers who are unable to carry a child
• Intended parents who have a genetic defect or health condition they don't want to pass onto the child
Same-sex intended parents who want to have a genetic link to their baby

Every surrogacy story is unique, and we work with surrogates from all over the country and intended parents from the US and worldwide.

 Map of Florida

Why Florida Is a Great State for Surrogacy

Because Florida surrogacy laws are among the most friendly to surrogacy in the US, it’s no wonder it’s become one of the most coveted states for surrogacy arrangements. It is also one of the few states where the laws have kept up with the scientific advances in assisted reproduction, often making it more affordable and less prone to legal conflicts.

Florida’s favorable statute recognizes contracts for gestational and traditional surrogacy arrangements and egg and sperm donations. The state’s comprehensive law protects the rights of the surrogate, the intended parents, the baby, and the egg donor (if needed).

Establishing parentage in Florida is a seamless process for everyone involved. Generally, surrogates in Florida won’t ever appear in court since the statute eliminates the need for post-birth legal proceedings, such as post-birth orders and second-parent adoptions. Even in cases where a post-birth action is warranted (i.e., intended parents' citizenship needs), the surrogates won’t need to appear in court. In surrogacy arrangements that require the use of an egg donor, the donor’s contract requires relinquishing all maternal rights to the child.

Surrogacy in Florida for Intended Parents

Surrogacy and egg donation has been helping straight and LGBTQ+ singles and couples in Florida grow their families for decades. Florida is a surrogacy-friendly state, and intended parents will find many top-rated IVF clinics in the area and on the east coast.

Below you'll find information about surrogacy in Florida, including what the surrogacy process looks like, how much surrogacy costs, how to find a surrogate or egg donor, and so much more. The process can feel overwhelming at first, but the more you read and research, the more familiar it will become to you. Many professionals are involved in a surrogacy journey, and it is a life-changing experience.

We're ready to help intended parents from Florida, up north in Jacksonville and Tallahassee, down to West Palm Beach and Miami – or anywhere in between. Read on to learn everything you need to know about gestational surrogacy.

The Surrogacy Process in Florida

Navigating the surrogacy process can be complicated regardless of where you live. It requires keeping track of multiple milestones that lead to the ultimate destination: the birth of your baby! Understanding and preparing for each step in the surrogacy process is important.

Choosing the Best Surrogacy Agency for You

Choosing to go through the surrogacy process on your own is an option, or you can get the help of a surrogacy agency. Working with one of the best surrogacy agencies in Florida, such as Circle Surrogacy, which has over 27 years of experience, can help you navigate the milestones and events throughout your journey so that you can focus on preparing for your baby's arrival.

Research is essential as you begin your journey. As you evaluate surrogacy agencies, make sure they share your views about the surrogacy process. If you don't sense good chemistry, that agency may not fit you well. It's also essential to choose an agency with lawyers well-versed in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) and surrogacy law, which varies from state to state. Our lawyers will help you understand Florida's surrogacy laws.

Finding a Surrogate and Egg Donor
Finding the ideal surrogate match is one of the roles played by your Matching Team. The team encourages you to bond strongly with the woman who will carry your baby or babies. Share your preferences with our team if you are looking for a surrogate in Florida.

Before matching with your surrogate, you'll need an egg donor match. Our database of egg donors includes bright and ambitious young women who are excited about the opportunity to help you grow your family.
Pregnancy and Parenthood
We encourage you to develop a strong relationship with your surrogate during the pregnancy. You may even visit her for appointments if she lives close to Florida. Surrogacy agencies provide support through each milestone, helping you prepare to travel for the birth and ensuring you have everything you need to return home safely and securely.
 Starting the Surrogacy Process

Starting the Surrogacy Process

Once you've identified surrogacy as the way you'd like to grow your family and you've selected an agency you'd like to meet with, the first step is to schedule a consultation.

A surrogacy consultation is an in-depth meeting (about 2-2 1/2 hours long) where you share your story with a parent intake consultant and a lawyer. During this private meeting, we can also get to know you, and together we'll talk about surrogacy, the process, and your unique situation. It's also a time when we can answer questions and help you understand our surrogacy programs, surrogacy costs, and how to find and match with a surrogate mother.

Even though meeting in person with intended parents for consultations is preferred, our primary concern is the health and safety of everyone. We are now offering free consultations using either Skype or Zoom video platforms.

If you're not ready for a full consultation but would like more information, you can schedule a pre-consultation with our intake team by contacting [email protected], and someone will contact us to coordinate a time.

 Becoming a Parent in Florida

Becoming a Parent in Florida

One of life's great joys is bringing a baby into your family. Florida is home to parents who, for decades, have used surrogacy and egg donation as a way to grow their families through the state's safe and simple surrogacy process. It's important to make an informed decision based on an understanding of the surrogacy process and surrogacy costs, in addition to Florida's surrogacy laws.

How Much Is a Surrogate in Florida?

The cost of surrogacy is one of the first questions asked by intended parents interested in growing their family through surrogacy. Navigating the complex surrogacy process includes help from several egg donation and surrogacy professionals, including lawyers and social workers with the expertise to stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving field.

If you're thinking about having a baby through surrogacy, we can help you understand the surrogacy programs available, the cost of surrogacy, and how much you can expect to pay for egg donation. Circle Surrogacy is transparent in its surrogacy options, costs, and what you can expect along your journey.

In Florida, surrogacy costs typically fall into the following categories:

  • Professional fees
  • Gestational carrier and egg donor fees
  • Medical and insurance expenses
  • IVF expenses

Most agencies do not offer fixed costs for any of these cost categories, which can result in surprise fees and financial uncertainty throughout the surrogacy journey. Circle Surrogacy fixes the costs for professional fees, gestational carrier and egg donor fees, and medical and insurance expenses.


Circle is proud to offer the all-inclusive Journey Protection Guarantee Program, which is designed to help as many Intended Parents in Florida as possible bring home a baby while reducing variable costs.

Journey Protection Guarantee Program

Surrogacy only: $157,750
Surrogacy plus egg donation: $184,750
(both prices exclude IVF)

Our Journey Protection Guarantee offers Intended Parents:

  • An all-inclusive program that covers all Surrogate fees and expenses for unlimited transfers and any complications that may arise during your journey
  • No surprise costs or invoices, even in scenarios that require a rematch with a new Surrogate

The costs outlined above are for our Surrogacy Only and Surrogacy Plus Egg Donation Programs. For more information about the costs of our other programs, please email us or call us at 617.439.9900.

Financing Surrogacy Costs

Some intended parents may have the opportunity to qualify for financing for their journey. Please speak with our Parent Intake Team or Consultation Team or by filling out this form.

 How To Find a Surrogate in Florida

How To Find a Surrogate in Florida

Finding your surrogate match is an exciting time in your journey to parenthood. Circle works with many surrogate mothers from Florida, as well as most of the surrounding states. Additionally, Circle's main office is in Boston, and we have a strong representation on the East Coast, making it even easier for surrogates and intended parents to connect.

Get Started

Determining what you're looking for in a gestational carrier and the relationship you prefer with your surrogate, in addition to honestly assessing your expectations for your journey, are all important as you begin your search for a surrogate match. Thinking about these factors in advance will make finding a surrogate easier on your own (if you are making an independent journey) or help you decide if your surrogacy agency has recommended a good match.

If you are using an agency, expressing your views honestly about these issues is important because your Matching Team uses these answers, your geographic location, and your views on termination to find you the best match.

We ask intended parents to fill out a profile that helps us get to know them better and find appropriate surrogate matches.

The information we ask for in the profile includes your:

  • Relationship (if you have a partner)
  • Family
  • Hobbies and activities
  • Plans for parenthood
  • Reasons for pursuing surrogacy

We also ask for photos of yourself and your loved ones, in addition to photos that provide a sense of who you are as people.

In addition to your profile, there are certain criteria on which you will be matched with your gestational carrier.

Intended parent matching criteria include preferences on:

  • Level of communication with your surrogate during the journey
  • Location of the surrogate mother
  • Number of embryos to transfer
  • Views on selective reduction and termination

You can also use these guidelines if you plan on pursuing your surrogacy journey independently.

 Intended Parents Meeting Their New Baby

3 Criteria for Finding Surrogate Mothers

Keep these 3 criteria in mind as you search for a surrogate mother in Florida:

Appropriate legal fit: Our legal department always ensures potential matches meet the requirements of Florida's surrogacy laws before presenting surrogate profiles to intended parents.

Personality fit and surrogacy expectations: We want both surrogates and intended parents to have a comfortable relationship throughout their shared journey, so your Matching Team carefully reviews the list of safe matches provided by the legal team to ensure good personality fits.

Expectations surrounding termination and selective reduction: It's important that surrogates and intended parents share similar views about the termination of a pregnancy if a situation develops in which a reduction or termination is considered. In our experience, many intended parents prefer the option to make the choice regarding termination.

 Search egg donor database

Finding an Egg Donor in Florida

The choice of an egg donor is a significant decision for intended parents who require one. You are selecting a young woman who will provide half of your child's biology. The egg donor you choose doesn't necessarily have to live in Florida.

Egg donation involves a fertile woman donating her eggs for the creation of embryos for intended parents. That could be an intended parent herself or a surrogate for couples or individuals. If you or your significant other has infertility concerns, then building your family through egg donation may be the best option for you.

Circle Surrogacy can help find an egg donor for you in Florida, guide you through the entire egg donation process, and help you coordinate with an IVF clinic of your choice. Most intended parents start their egg donor search using an egg donor database. Most egg donor databases are set up so that you can search for an egg donor by certain criteria. Circle's egg donor database is easy to use and easy to navigate.

 Surrogate Laws in Florida

Surrogate Laws in Florida

If you're considering surrogacy and live in Florida, Circle Surrogacy is an ideal match for you. We've worked with more Florida women than any other agency, and the Sunshine State is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the nation.

Florida’s favorable surrogacy laws recognize contracts for gestational and traditional surrogacy arrangements as well as egg and sperm donations. The rights of the surrogate, the intended parents, the baby, and the egg donor (if needed) are protected by the state’s comprehensive law.

The process of establishing parentage in Florida is seamless for everyone involved. Surrogates in Florida typically never appear in court since the statute eliminates the need for post-birth legal proceedings, such as post-birth orders and second-parent adoptions. Even in cases where a post-birth action is warranted (i.e. intended parents' citizenship needs), the surrogates won’t need to appear in court. In surrogacy arrangements that require the use of an egg donor, the donor’s contract requires the relinquishment of all maternal rights to the child.

Surrogacy in Florida for Surrogates

There is so much to learn about becoming a surrogate in Florida. Being a surrogate means having an understanding what a surrogate is, what to expect, how being a surrogate can affect your life, to how to apply become a surrogate mother.

Florida is a surrogacy-friendly state, and is close to top-rated east coast IVF clinics. We work with many surrogates from Florida, up north in Jacksonville and Tallahassee all the way down to West Palm Beach and Miami – and anywhere in between.

Read on to see how rewarding being a surrogate can be when you help those who aren't able to have a baby on their own experience the joys of parenthood.

What Is a Surrogate

Surrogates carry babies for those who are unable to have a baby on their own (they are often referred to as "Intended Parents" or "IPs").

Other terms for a surrogate include:
• Surrogate Mother
• Gestational Carrier
• Gestational Surrogate

Most surrogate mothers are gestational surrogates, meaning the surrogate mother does not use her own eggs and doesn't share any genetics with the baby. Surrogates are compensated and protected legally by a contract signed by all parties.

Circle Surrogacy only works with gestational carriers – women who do not share biology with the baby they are carrying.

Surrogates are kind, giving and selfless. They love being parents and would like to help others experience the same joy.
 5 Things To Know About Being a Surrogate

5 Things To Know About Being a Surrogate

There is a lot of information out there about becoming a surrogate in Florida, but here are 5 quick things for you to know before you begin!

  1. Surrogates do NOT use their own DNA (eggs) for the babies they carry
  2. Surrogates are paid throughout the entirety of their journey (not at the end) and start before pregnancy
  3. Surrogates have a say in with whom they match; all matches are mutual
  4. Surrogates DO need to give themselves injections as part of the IVF process; most surrogates say these needles are no big deal
  5. Surrogates will have to say goodbye to the baby; they look forward to "giving the baby back" to their intended parents; because they are not genetically related to the baby, surrogates do not feel an "attachment" to the babies they carry

Ready to learn more? Read on!

The Process for Surrogates in Florida

At Circle, our Florida surrogates receive the support and guidance of our experienced social workers and program coordinators, many who have been surrogates themselves. We support women wherever they are in the process whether they are ready to apply now or are interested but want to talk with experienced surrogates or Surrogate Advisors. Here is an overview of the process:

  • Pre-screening
  • Consultation
  • Matching with intended parents
  • Medical screening and legal contracts
  • Monitoring appointments and embryo transfer
  • Pregnancy
  • Delivery

Learn more about the surrogacy process at Circle.

Getting Started as a Surrogate

Wherever you are in your journey, we suggest completing our online surrogacy application. It takes only about 10 minutes to complete and there is no obligation to proceed if you aren’t ready.

 Surrogate Carrier Being Supported by Fellow Surrogate Carrier

How To Become a Surrogate Mother in Florida

Many reasons can motivate a young woman to become a surrogate mother in Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, or other Florida communities. Some of these women may be teachers or nurses; others are stay-at-home moms. All share a spirit of generosity, adventure, and kindness that leads them to make a caring and selfless commitment to helping intended parents grow their families.

If you're considering becoming a surrogate mother in Florida, our surrogacy agency is your perfect match. And Florida is one of the country’s most surrogacy-friendly states.

Requirements for Becoming a Surrogate in Florida

In order to qualify as a gestational carrier for surrogacy, you must meet several requirements. A qualified surrogate mother:

  • Has delivered a child of their own and is currently parenting at least one child.
  • Has had uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, as documented by medical records.
  • Is between ages 21 and 44.
  • Has a body mass index (BMI) no higher than 32. Calculate My BMI.
  • Is a United States citizen or legal resident, or is a legal immigrant. If a surrogate is a legal resident or legal immigrant of the United States, the surrogate must be able to provide documentation that is valid for at least 2 years.
  • Does not participate in the following government aid programs: cash assistance, welfare, public housing, or section 8. All other forms of government assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis

Benefits of Being a Surrogate in Florida

Besides the gratifying sense of fulfillment that accompanies providing the greatest gift possible to another family, the benefits of being a surrogate in Florida include:

  • Compensation: You can earn up to $60,000. See our full customized benefits package.
  • Lasting relationships: Surrogates often enjoy a life-long relationship with forever-grateful intended parents.
  • Support: You'll work with a personal Program Coordination team and licensed social worker.

Surrogate mothers in Florida also have the opportunity to work with intended parents who live in Florida or who reside in another country.

 how much does surrogacy cost

How Much Do Surrogate Mothers Get Paid in Florida?

Gestational surrogates are paid for carrying a baby for someone. "Surrogate base compensation" or "surrogate pay," as it is often called, can range from $35,000-$35,000 in Florida, depending on whether the surrogate has insurance. In addition to base compensation, surrogates receive additional payments for milestones along their journeys.

The total compensation package for a surrogate in Florida can be up to $60,000.

How does surrogate pay work?

You are paid throughout the duration of your surrogacy journey, including receiving payments even before you become pregnant.

Surrogate pay includes the following:

  • Base compensation. This depends on whether you have health insurance, if you're a first-time surrogate, and the state where you will be a surrogate.
  • Payments before you are pregnant. You will be compensated early in your journey for completing tasks and milestones. These payments are in addition to your base compensation.
  • Payments during and after pregnancy. Surrogate mothers also receive financial support for necessities during the pregnancy, such as maternity clothing, housekeeping, pumping and shipping breast milk, and more.
  • Additional benefits. Surrogates also receive benefits that, while not monetary payments, are priceless in ensuring you are protected and have a smooth journey. These benefits include social work support, legal counsel, life insurance, and more.

Your base compensation is paid monthly in 9 installments beginning with the confirmation of heartbeat, which occurs around 6 weeks gestation. However, you will receive compensation in the time leading up to that for transfers as well as the medical screening and signing of your contract.

How Circle Supports Surrogates

Circle Surrogacy's more than 27 years of experience as the world leader in this field makes it the ideal agency for your surrogacy journey. Our team supports you at every step—from your initial exploration of surrogacy to meeting with prospective parents and throughout your pregnancy and childbirth. This support includes helping you navigate the screening process, ensuring you match with the perfect intended parents or parent, and guiding you through the legal and social work associated with surrogacy.

This is much more than just a job for our team. Many of the people at Circle supporting your journey are experienced surrogates, with some having completed 3 journeys! Their passion for helping other surrogates is authentic, and it means you're getting hands-on guidance that's informed by their experience and their expertise in the various legal, social, and medical aspects of your process. Our team is ready to answer any question you can dream of (and then some).

Circle's support doesn't end with our dedicated team. We'll connect you with skilled, trustworthy experts, including an attorney near you who has a strong working knowledge of Assisted Reproduction Technology law. These additional experts ensure your surrogacy journey runs as smoothly and seamlessly as possible.

The Circle Surrogate Promise

We created the Circle Surrogate Promise because we truly care about our carriers, and we want each of them to have the most successful and rewarding journey possible.

The program is based on the suggestions of carriers who shared their thoughts and improvements with their social workers or during their exit interviews. We took all of those conversations and suggestions to heart and improved our offerings to our gestational carriers.

Guaranteed Pay, Security and Support

The Circle Surrogate Promise is a program exclusive to Circle Surrogates; no other agency can offer the same level of security and support.

Circle Surrogacy promises:

  1. Guaranteed Compensation. Circle Surrogacy financially backs their intended parents, so a surrogate’s escrow account is always funded to ensure she is paid in full and on time, every time.
  2. No medical bill liability. Circle Surrogacy takes on the liability of medical bills. We listened to our past surrogates and their frustrations with medical bills, and we’ve made big changes. While we can never stop having you receive medical bills (since you are the “patient”), our new Fixed Cost programs for intended parents allow us to protect both the surrogates and the intended parents and ensure all medical bills will be paid in a timely manner.
  3. $5,000 compensation, even if you leave the program. If you are accepted into our surrogate program and you are medically cleared and matched with intended parents – but you don’t achieve a pregnancy – we will compensate you for your time, energy, and dedication thus far in your journey (up to $5,000 total).
  4. Empowerment in birth choices. Not every gestational carrier has the same desires when it comes to the birth of their surrogate baby. At Circle, our surrogates have choices for her preferred birth options, such as doula care, a hospital birth, or using a birth center with a midwife.
  5. Personalized, small agency feel, with the resources of a large agency. The first person you speak with at Circle will likely be an experienced carrier who guides you through the process until you are matched with intended parents. They’ll personally introduce you to your dedicated social worker and journey support team, all of whom are in-house at Circle. You’ll always be supported by a Circle employee, who knows all the details about you and your journey. (You’ll never have to worry about working with a third party who doesn’t even know your name!) Plus, with our expanded team, we are able to offer support groups, virtual events, one-on-one surrogate mentorship, and more.
 Intended Parents with their hands on their surrogate's belly

Finding a Perfect Intended Parent Match

There is probably no journey more personal and awesome than the one surrogates take with intended parents. Our Florida surrogacy candidates rely on Circle to help them connect with intended parents who they can fully trust and share in their joy. We do that using an extensive and thorough matching process that's unique to Circle.

It begins with your Surrogate Support team reviewing profiles to find a perfect match based on personality fit and legal circumstances. Surrogates and intended parents review each other's profiles, ask questions, and get a sense of each other's demeanor. We also set up an initial Skype call and, in some cases, an in-person meeting.

Making sure all involved are completely comfortable with the match is the overriding goal, and surrogacy agreements only move forward if they are. Circle works with single parents, LGBTQ+ and heterosexual couples, domestic and international couples, and more. We're absolutely confident that you'll be able to find a great match.

Getting Started

Whether you are intended parents or interested in becoming a surrogate or egg donor, the surrogacy process can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Learning more about surrogacy is the first step of your journey.