Skip to Content (Press Enter)

globe

The Ultimate Guide to Surrogacy in Oregon

At first, surrogacy can seem like an overwhelming experience–whether you hope to grow your family through surrogacy or are a woman who wants to become a surrogate mother. At Circle, we're here to help you navigate surrogacy in Oregon every step of the way. We will make sure you understand how the process works, help you find or become a surrogate, and much more.

 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 Why Oregon Is a Great State for Surrogacy

Why Oregon Is a Great State for Surrogacy

Whether you live in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, or another city, Oregon is a great state for parenthood through surrogacy and for surrogate mothers! With its Pacific Northwest location, Oregon offers convenient access to Circle Surrogacy's West Coast center.

We work with many intended parents who are patients at West Coast clinics (mainly California and Nevada). Surrogates matched with intended parents at a West Coast clinic have a shorter distance to travel for their medical screening and transfer.

Because of this proximity to IVF clinics, many intended parents desire West Coast surrogates, which means quicker match times for our surrogates.

The Surrogacy Process in Oregon

At Circle Surrogacy, our agency has been helping singles and couples—straight and LGBTQ+—from Oregon grow their families through surrogacy and egg donation for almost 25 years. Here is an overview of the process.
Will You Use an Agency?

The surrogacy process can feel complex and overwhelming as there are many moving parts. Working with an agency can help you navigate the milestones and events throughout your journey so that you can focus on the most important thing: preparing for the arrival of your baby!

You may choose to undergo your surrogacy journey independently or with the help of a surrogacy agency. Because there is so much to navigate, Circle Surrogacy recommends working with an agency. With over 2 decades of experience, we will ensure you have the proper support to make your journey to parenthood as safe and smooth as possible.

Choosing an Agency
If you decide to use a surrogacy agency, it's important to do your research. Finding a surrogacy agency that is qualified, a good fit for you, and shares your views about the surrogacy process are all key to a successful journey. Also, surrogacy laws vary by state, so working with an agency with lawyers knowledgeable in ART and surrogacy law is crucial. They will help you understand the surrogacy laws in Oregon.
Finding a Surrogate and Egg Donor

If you will be using an egg donor, you will need to match with her before finding a surrogate. You can search our egg donor database where you'll find bright, ambitious young women who are excited for the opportunity to help you grow your family.

Your Program Coordination Team will help you find the perfect surrogate match and encourage you to form a strong bond with the woman who will carry your baby(ies). If you'd like to find a surrogate in Oregon, you can share your preference with your PC team.

Pregnancy and Parenthood
During your surrogate's pregnancy, your agency will support you through each milestone, help you get ready for the birth, and ensure you are ready to return home with your baby safely and securely. Pregnancy is a wonderful time to bond with your surrogate. If she lives close to Oregon, you might even visit her for appointments.
 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 with which you'd like to meet, it's time to schedule a consultation.

A surrogacy consultation is an in-depth meeting (about 2 to 2 1/2 hours long) with a parent intake consultant and a lawyer. At Circle, this private meeting gives us time to get to know you and your story and talk about surrogacy and the process as it relates to your situation. We'll help you understand surrogacy programs and surrogacy costs, as well.

Your agency (along with your IVF doctor) can help you determine which surrogacy program is right for you. Some intended parents come to us for gestational surrogacy only, some need a surrogate and an egg donor, others, just an egg donor. Or perhaps you’ve identified a surrogate on your own and would like an agency to manage your journey. Circle Surrogacy has a surrogacy program option that fits your needs.

 Becoming a Parent in Oregon

Becoming a Parent in Oregon

Welcoming a new baby into your family is one of life's greatest joys. Intended parents in Oregon have been growing their families through surrogacy for decades. Surrogacy is a safe way to have the family you've always dreamed of. Having an understanding of surrogacy laws, the surrogacy process, and surrogacy costs will help you make an informed decision.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?

Surrogacy costs in Oregon can vary because each journey is unique. Circle Surrogacy provides simple, straightforward pricing to minimize unexpected expenses. We have fixed costs for Professional Fees, Gestational Carrier and Egg Donor Fees, and Medical and Insurance Expenses.

Circle Surrogacy's programs and pricing are structured to achieve 2 primary goals: success and cost security.

Circle is the only agency that offers 1 truly fixed price option for intended parents in Oregon, tailored to specific circumstances. Our Journey Protection Guarantee program is designed to help as many Intended Parents 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

 Finding a Surrogate Mother in Oregon

Finding a Surrogate Mother in Oregon

Searching for your surrogate match is an exciting step in your journey to parenthood. Circle has worked with many surrogate mothers from Portland and throughout Oregon, as well as most of the surrounding states.

How to Start

It's hard to imagine what it will be like to find the right woman to carry your baby(ies). In many cases, intended parents aren't quite sure what they should look for in a gestational carrier. You can begin by thinking about what you're looking for in a surrogate, what sort of your relationship you want with your surrogate, and what your expectations for your journey are. Being clear about these goals will make it easier to find a surrogate on your own (if you're doing an independent journey) or determine if your surrogacy agency has presented you with a good match.

How Circle Can Help

You'll be asked to fill out an intended parent profile that not only allows us to get to know you better, but also helps our Matching Team find your surrogate match.

This profile is filled with information about you, your relationship (if you have partner), your family, your hobbies, your plans for parenthood, and what brought you to surrogacy. We'll ask that you also share photos of yourself, your loved ones, and anything else that gives a good sense of who you are as people.

In addition to your profile, you will be matched with your gestational carrier based on certain criteria. Intended Parent matching criteria include preferences on:

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

If you are doing an independent surrogacy journey, you can use the points above as guidelines when looking for a suitable match.

 3 Criteria for Finding Surrogate Mothers

3 Criteria for Finding Surrogate Mothers

We recommend intended parents keep the following 3 criteria in mind when searching for a surrogate mother in Oregon:

1. Is she an appropriate legal fit? In the United States, each state has its own laws regarding surrogacy. In addition, each country we assist has different requirements and laws regarding surrogacy. Therefore, our legal team ensures that the laws of the surrogate's home state (where the delivery will take place) complement the laws of intended parents' home state/country (including laws around same sex parenting). The legal department will always approve a match from a legal standpoint before a surrogate profile is presented to intended parents. We will never knowingly present matches that are not a safe legal fit.

2. Do her personality and surrogacy expectations match yours? Your Program Coordination team (including your lawyer) will work together to find you the best surrogate match. Surrogates and intended parents undergo phone calls or in-person meetings with the Circle team early in the process; these meetings help determine your personality as it relates to surrogacy. We also look at IPs' and surrogates' expectations and hopes for the journey including number of embryos to transfer and communication styles.

3. Do you agree on expectations surrounding termination and selective reduction? We ask IPs and surrogates their views on termination of a pregnancy as we want to create a match of IPs and surrogates who share similar views. We want to ensure that the views of the surrogate and the views of the intended parents align in the event a situation arises where a reduction or termination is considered. In our experience, many intended parents prefer the option to make the choice of termination.

At Circle Surrogacy, we screen each surrogate carefully to match intended parents with surrogates who are strong, healthy, and the most likely to become pregnant and deliver a healthy baby.

 Finding an Egg Donor in Oregon

Finding an Egg Donor in Oregon

It's extremely important to find the right egg donor; she will provide half of your child's biology. Here are some questions to think about when you start looking for your best egg donor match:

  • Are you looking for a young woman who has similar qualities to you as intended parents or someone who complements your personality or appearance?
  • Are there any qualities that your egg donor absolutely must have? That's a good place to start.
  • What are you looking for in education, appearance, ethnicity, and personality?

The first place most intended parents start their egg donor search is in an egg donor database. Circle's egg donor database is easy to use and allows you to search by specific criteria, including:

  • Physical attributes (hair/eye color)
  • Race/ethnicity
  • Education
  • Previous fertility
  • Geography

It's understandable if you're not completely sure of what you're looking for in a donor. Circle is ready to help you make a great match.

Women who would like to become an egg donor in Oregon can learn more here.

 Surrogacy Laws in Oregon

Surrogacy Laws in Oregon

In Oregon, surrogacy agreements do not have laws that directly address them, but courts have treated surrogacy favorably. Establishing parentage for surrogacy in Oregon is a seamless process for everyone involved and is typically done by way of a pre-birth order, which allows the surrogate and intended parents to complete all necessary paperwork with their respective independent counsel and obtain the parentage order before the birth occurs. In general, the parties do not ever need to appear in court.

Becoming a Surrogate Mother in Oregon

Women who become surrogates are generous, adventurous, and kind. They are businesspeople, nurses, and stay-at-home moms. They are passionate about their families. They are spirited, caring, and selfless. Surrogate mothers are special people just like you.
 Surrogate mother sharing her surrogacy journey

Becoming a Surrogate Mother in Oregon

Women who become surrogates are generous, adventurous, and kind. They are businesspeople, nurses, and stay-at-home moms. They are passionate about their families. They are spirited, caring, and selfless. Surrogate mothers are special people just like you.

Requirements for Becoming a Surrogate in Oregon

You must meet the following requirements to qualify as a surrogate mother in Oregon:

  • Have delivered a child of your own and are currently parenting at least one child.
  • Have had uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, as documented by medical records.
  • Are age 21 to 44.
  • Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of no higher than 33. Calculate my BMI.
  • Are a citizen, legal resident, or legal immigrant of the United States. If you are a legal resident or legal immigrant of the United States, you must be able to provide documentation that is valid for at least 2 years.
  • Do not participate in the following government aid programs: cash assistance, welfare, public housing, and section 8. All other forms of government assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Review all surrogate requirements

 how much does a surrogate make?

Surrogate Pay and Benefits in Oregon

Becoming a surrogate mother in Oregon is one of the most rewarding experiences a woman can have. As a surrogate mother, pay and benefits include:

  • Getting paid up to $55,000, inclusive of all compensation and benefits (see all compensation and benefits)
  • Gaining an incredible sense of fulfillment from giving the greatest gift humanly possible to another family
  • Building a life-long relationship with forever-grateful intended parents
  • Working with a personal journey coordination team and licensed social worker every step of the way
  • Connecting with other surrogates across the country, and being part of an active surrogate community

Calculate your surrogate pay in Oregon with our surrogate compensation calculator.

How Circle Supports Surrogates

Circle provides exceptional support for surrogates because many of our staff have been surrogates themselves. Our surrogates receive top-notch prescreening, social work, legal, and journey support from the moment they fill out their application until months after they deliver. Our team is ready to answer any question you can dream of (and then some).

Circle will connect you with other surrogate mothers through private social groups, and you'll have the opportunity to attend exclusive events with the Circle team.

We can also connect you with skilled, trustworthy experts. For example, when it's time for you to review legal contracts, we'll recommend an attorney in your area with whom we've worked previously and who has a strong working knowledge of Assisted Reproduction Technology law. It's just one more way we help make the entire surrogacy program as seamless as possible. To learn more, read our blog post about the 10 steps to becoming a surrogate.

The Circle Surrogate Promise

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

Carriers have shared their thoughts and improvements with our 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 its 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 your intended parents. They'll also 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.

Guaranteed Match With Parents in 30 Days

We'll match you in 30 days, or we'll give you $1,000!

Circle Surrogacy has the fastest matching times for surrogates with intended parents of any agency.

When you apply with Circle Surrogacy as a gestational carrier and are ready to match, we guarantee that you will be matched with intended parents in 30 days or less.

The sooner you match, the sooner you can start your journey together!

Restrictions may apply. Speak with your Surrogate Advisor.

 Intended Parents with their hands on their surrogate's belly

Finding a Perfect Intended Parent Match

As an Oregon gestational carrier, the question of who you help is almost as important as your decision to help. After all, you and the prospective parents will embark on a monumental journey together. You want to be sure that you connect with and trust them fully. That's why Circle Surrogacy built an extensive and thorough matching process.

As a first step, your Surrogate Support Team will try to find the perfect intended parent(s) for you, based on personality fit and legal circumstances. You'll get to review each other's profiles, ask questions, and see if you feel comfortable with each other. There will also be an initial Skype or Zoom call, and possibly an in-person meeting. It's important to make sure both you and the intended parent(s) feel completely comfortable with the match. Only then will the surrogacy agreement only move forward.

Circle works with a wide variety of intended parents including LGBTQ+ and heterosexual couples, domestic and international couples, single individuals, and more. We're confident you'll find the right 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.