Most intended parents choose a reputable surrogacy agency that already has screened candidates and a proven matching process. This shortens search time and reduces risk compared with private matching on social media or forums.
Look for transparent fees, legal support from start to finish, strong screening of surrogates, and clear communication milestones. Reviews and guidance from clinics and agencies confirm these criteria.
Self matching can lower agency fees but adds legal and administrative risk and more time. Families often underestimate the workload and compliance steps involved.
Timelines vary by criteria and embryo readiness. Agency programs with active surrogate pools usually match faster because screening is already complete.
Choosing the right surrogacy agency for intended parents is one of the most important steps in your family-building journey. The right agency provides trusted screening, a smooth surrogacy matching process, clear financial planning, and full legal support. This guide explains what to expect, how to evaluate agencies, and why intended parents who want to find a surrogate near me often turn to professional guidance rather than navigating alone.
How Intended Parents Search for a Surrogacy Agency
Most intended parents begin their search online with questions like best surrogacy agency for intended parents or how to choose a surrogacy agency. Others rely on fertility clinic referrals, legal recommendations, or word of mouth. While there are multiple paths, working with an established agency often saves time, reduces risk, and creates a clear roadmap.
The Agency Route
An agency handles screening, matching, and coordination. This includes:
- Access to a vetted gestational carrier pool
- A structured surrogate screening process (medical, psychological, lifestyle)
- Legal contracts and pre-birth order or post-birth order filings
- Escrow management with trusted partners
The Private Route
Some parents attempt to match privately. While this can reduce agency fees, you take on:
- Screening and background checks
- Legal paperwork in your state
- Escrow fund setup
- Greater uncertainty in timelines
What to Evaluate in a Surrogacy Agency
Screening and Match Quality
A reliable agency ensures each gestational carrier meets medical, emotional, and lifestyle requirements. This is essential for safety and a successful outcome.
Transparent Costs and Fees
A surrogacy agency for intended parents should provide a full breakdown of surrogacy costs and fees, including base compensation, benefits, incidentals, and insurance. Clear financial planning avoids surprises.
Legal Process in California and Beyond
Each state has different laws. California remains a leader in surrogacy with strong support for intended parents, LGBTQ families, and single parents. Ask how the agency manages pre-birth orders and post-birth orders in your state.
Communication and Support
From embryo transfer to delivery day, communication is key. Choose an agency that provides updates at every milestone, including screening, transfer, and third-trimester planning.
Surrogacy Costs and Fees
The cost of surrogacy includes agency fees, surrogate compensation, medical expenses, legal services, and escrow. While prices vary, agencies with transparent accounting ensure you understand where every dollar goes.
At EDSI, funds are placed in a trusted, third party escrow company, providing security for both intended parents and surrogates. This transparency helps you budget and avoid unexpected expenses.
Surrogacy Matching Process: How It Works
The surrogacy matching process connects intended parents with a surrogate whose values and circumstances align with yours. Agencies like EDSI use structured tools, such as the EDSI Matching Compass™, to make sure both sides share expectations around:
- Termination or reduction preferences
- Comfort with intended parents in the delivery room
- Breast milk after delivery
- Willingness to carry twins
- Support for LGBTQ surrogacy and single parent surrogacy journeys
This alignment reduces mismatches and ensures smoother journeys.
Timeline to Match and Embryo Transfer
The surrogacy timeline to match depends on embryo readiness and surrogate availability. With an agency, matches often happen within a few months. After legal clearance, the clinic prepares for embryo transfer preparation, which typically occurs within 1–2 cycles.
Pros and Cons of Your Options
| Path | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Agency | Access to screened surrogates, clear fees, legal guidance, escrow management | Higher upfront program fees |
| Private | Lower cost | You carry risk, handle contracts, and manage screening |
| Clinic Referral | Clinical alignment, trusted medical link | May not include full case management |
Checklist for Your First Agency Consult
- How large is your current surrogate pool?
- What does your surrogate screening process include?
- How long is the average surrogacy timeline to match?
- Which escrow partner do you use?
- How do you support LGBTQ surrogacy and single parent surrogacy?
- What percentage of matches reach live birth?
- What happens if a match falls through?
Why Intended Parents Choose EDSI
The Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) combines expertise with compassion. Intended parents choose us because:
- We provide full support from first consult to delivery
- Our surrogacy agency for intended parents offers transparent fees, escrow protection, and clear legal guidance
- Our Matching Compass™ improves the surrogacy matching process for faster, safer matches
- We support diverse families, including LGBTQ and single parents
