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How much do surrogates make? Surrogate mother compensation & benefits.

How much a surrogate makes can vary. We understand that each surrogate is different, and our surrogate pay and benefits are flexible and customized to you. Typically, surrogates earn a base compensation of $35,000 - $50,000, plus additional benefits that can equal $55,000-$65,000 or more for total compensation.

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You can receive up to $46,850

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First-time surrogates in high-demand states with insurance recieve a base pay of $40,000, plus the additional benefits below.

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 how much does a surrogate make?

How does surrogate pay work?

Your surrogate compensation is paid to you throughout the duration of your surrogacy journey with Circle. You do not have to wait until the end of their surrogacy to receive money for being a surrogate mother. In fact, you will receive payments even before you are pregnant!

Surrogate pay with Circle includes the following:

• Base compensation. Calculate your base compensation with the calculator to see how much you could earn as a surrogate in your state.
Payments before and during your pregnancy. You will be compensated early in your journey for completing tasks and milestones, and you'll receive financial support for necessities during the pregnancy, such as maternity clothing, and housekeeping, and after the pregnancy for pumping and shipping breast milk.
4th Trimester Care Package. We know the journey doesn't end with the baby's birth. You'll continue to receive compensation and support for months after your delivery.
Additional benefits. Surrogates will also receive benefits that while are not in the form of monetary payments, are priceless in ensuring you're protected and you have a smooth journey. These benefits include: social work support, legal counsel, life insurance and more.

Are my medical and legal bills paid for?

Yes! You will never pay any money out of pocket to be a surrogate. All of your medical bills will be paid for by your intended parents, and any legal costs will also be paid for. This is all paid for in addition to your surrogate compensation, meaning it does not come out of those payments to you.

How much does a surrogate make?

Base compensation for a first-time surrogate can be different depending on where a woman lives, whether or not she has insurance, or even which agency she is working with. Surrogate mothers can earn a base compensation of $35,000-$50,000+ as first-time gestational carriers. Some women who live in certain states may earn a higher base compensation.

Your base compensation is not the only surrogate pay you will receive from Circle Surrogacy. Surrogates will also be paid monthly spending money during their pregnancies, and receive additional benefits and payments, including lost wages, housekeeping and more. In additional to those guaranteed payments, women can earn additional compensation for things that come up specific to their journeys. In general, surrogates who earn a base compensation of $35,000-$50,000+ can earn a total compensation of $55,000-$70,000+ with the added benefits and payments.

Ready to apply? Fill out our application to see if you qualify!

What does surrogacy pay include?

Surrogate compensation goes beyond having a baby for someone else and getting paid. A surrogate is paid for many aspects of the surrogacy and pregnancy journey. At Circle, our comprehensive surrogate pay package includes:

Surrogate Base Compensation

  • $35,000-$50,000 ($45,000-$50,000 for California)
    • Return carriers earn $5,000+ with each surrogacy
    • Your base compensation is paid monthly in nine installments beginning with the confirmation of heartbeat, which occurs around six weeks gestation

Additional Guaranteed Surrogate Payments

  • Pre-pregnancy payments (includes a signing advance, medical screening and clearance, and social work clearance)
  • Surrogate spending allowance
  • Maternity clothing
  • Housekeeping
  • Childcare, travel & lost wages
    • Travel and meals for screening & transfer for surrogate and primary support person
    • Mileage related to the surrogacy journey
    • Childcare or lost wages for surrogate
    • Travel companion's lost wages (work missed for screening and transfer)
  • 4th trimester self-care to allow you to take the time needed to recover, reconnect with your family, and have funds for whatever you need post pregnancy; plus we'll compensate your partner for lost wages during your recovery.
    • Post pregnancy flex spending
    • Post birth recovery lost wages or childcare
    • Partner post birth recovery wages
    • Family meals
    • Pumping supplies reimbursement
    • Pumping payment
    • Life insurance, complications insurance, and maternity insurance

Total Surrogate Base Compensation & Benefits Package: $55,000-$70,000

Surrogate Pay Additional Benefits

(Varies by Journey)

  • Mock cycle
  • Cancelled cycle
  • Invasive procedure, including amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
  • Pregnancy termination or selective reduction
  • Lost wages or childcare due to bed rest
  • Multiples
  • C-section
  • Loss of Reproductive Organs - In the very rare instance that you suffer a loss of reproductive organs as a surrogate, you will be compensated.

Common questions from surrogates.

As you consider surrogacy, you may have questions along the way. With many experienced surrogates on staff, Circle has helped women navigate their surrogacy journeys successfully, and has answered almost every question out there!

How do surrogates get paid?

Surrogate pay and reimbursements are divided up into equal monthly installments following the confirmation of heartbeat (around the 6-8 week mark) and paid on the first of every month. However, you will receive compensation in the time leading up to that for transfers as well as the medical screening and signing your contract. If you are carrying multiple children, a multiples fee is paid to you over the last five months. After 34 weeks, the pregnancy is considered viable (32 weeks for multiples). If you deliver before 40 weeks, you are given a lump sum for the remaining balance. The remainder of the miscellaneous fees are distributed at various times throughout the pregnancy and will be discussed in your screening.

BECOME A SURROGATE

Do I have to pay for anything related to being a surrogate mother?

The surrogacy process should never become an out of pocket expense for you. The family you match with will pay the fees outlined for you in your screening and agreed upon in the contract, while health insurance (which we’ll ensure works correctly) should cover the majority of healthcare throughout your surrogate pregnancy and birth.

Surrogacy arrangements are built to deliver both financial and emotional rewards for you, the surrogate. The Circle team is here to make sure that’s exactly happens.

Who pays for all the medical bills?

Your insurance company (or the surrogate maternity insurance coverage we obtain for you and your intended parents) will pay most of the bills related to your pregnancy and delivery. If there are any additional unexpected costs, your intended parents will cover those costs. The family you choose to work with will pay for all IVF medical procedures, expenses, co-payments, and deductibles related to your surrogate pregnancy.

Who pays my travel expenses?

Your intended parents cover any necessary travel expenses to your IVF clinic for the screening and transfer, including lost wages or childcare coverage for both the surrogate and her travel companion.

SEE SURROGATE REQUIREMENTS

Do I need to have insurance to cover surrogacy?
No. If you do have medical insurance coverage, we'll take a look at the plan to see if it is likely to cover surrogacy. If so, you may be entitled to a higher base fee. But if you don't have insurance, it's not a problem. We'll find a plan that will cover you and your intended parents will pay any associated costs.
How much life insurance does the potential family pay for?

Our coordinator works to find you a $250,000 life insurance policy. The intended parents pay the premiums; however, you choose the beneficiaries.

Do surrogates get paid if they miscarry?

Surrogates are paid as they achieve specific milestones during the surrogacy journey. If you experience an unforeseen event like a miscarriage during your surrogacy journey, you will be compensated up to that point. Your contract will determine whether or not you and your intended parents will choose to proceed with another embryo transfer in the event of a loss of pregnancy.

Does my spouse/partner get paid for missing work?

Yes! Your spouse/partner will be paid for lost wages when traveling with you for your medical screening and embryo transfer, as well as being compensated for lost wages after your delivery.

How many times can I be a surrogate?
Many women do multiple surrogacy journeys. If you are cleared by your doctor you may do two or three journeys.

Medical professionals may have requirements around the number of total pregnancies a woman should have, so it’s important to always speak with your doctor.
What kind of women become surrogates? Why do people become surrogates?

There’s a very easy answer to this question: All kinds of women embark on the surrogacy journey. The high-powered executive; the stay-at-home mom; the woman who loves how pregnancy changes her body; the woman who wants to help a gay couple build a loving family… this list goes on and on.

For many people, monetary compensation makes surrogate pregnancy possible - but it’s just one of many rewarding aspects of the surrogacy process. You’d probably be surprised at the wide-range and diverse reasons people become surrogates.

Of course, certain women are better equipped for the surrogacy journey. The happiest and most successful surrogates tend to be healthy, organized, informed - and have a lot of support from the people they love.

How do I become a surrogate mother?

The first step in becoming a surrogate mother is to review our list of surrogate requirements to see if you qualify to be a surrogate. If you do, you can fill out our surrogate application to start the process. If your application is accepted, an experienced surrogate from our team will reach out to you!

Ready to help a family and earn surrogate pay?

One of the best things about being a surrogate is that you are helping two families: yours and someone else's! You are giving them the gift of parenthood and you are earning surrogate pay that can help your own family. Surrogates have used their compensation for a variety of things, such as schooling, house remodels, their kids' education and more!