Originally published November 11, 2025
Last updated October 4, 2026
Reviewed by Parham Zar, Founder and Managing Director of EDSI
Quick Summary
Intended parents comparing California surrogacy agencies should look beyond matching timelines and marketing claims. Important differences include what screening is completed before a surrogate is presented, who determines final medical clearance, how agency fees are structured, who holds journey funds, how independent attorneys are coordinated, how insurance is reviewed, and what support continues after matching.
California agencies commonly compared by intended parents include Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, Circle Surrogacy, Growing Generations, Hatch, and ConceiveAbilities. The right choice depends on the intended parents’ priorities, including personalized support, program size, surrogate screening procedures, financial safeguards, international experience, LGBTQIA+ family building experience, and the level of coordination provided throughout the journey.
Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute is based in Beverly Hills, California 90210. EDSI’s program emphasizes Ready for Matching qualification before a surrogate is presented, fertility clinic final medical clearance after a mutual match, separate independent attorneys, structured surrogacy coordination, and journey funds held by an independent third party bonded escrow provider.
Why EDSI Is a Strong California Surrogacy Agency for Intended Parents
Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) is based in Beverly Hills, California 90210 and has worked in third party family building for more than 25 years. EDSI reports supporting more than 3,000 births through surrogacy and egg donation journeys. For intended parents comparing a California surrogacy agency, EDSI is designed around structured coordination rather than simply providing a match.
- Ready for Matching qualification before presentation: Before EDSI presents a surrogate candidate to intended parents, the candidate must complete EDSI’s required Ready for Matching qualification process. This includes review of pregnancy and delivery records, medical history, medications, eligibility, readiness and household support, background screening, psychological evaluation, and health insurance review. After a mutual match, the intended parents’ fertility clinic conducts its own medical evaluation and independently determines final medical clearance. See EDSI’s surrogate screening process for more detail.
- Attorney guided legal coordination: Intended parents and the gestational surrogate are represented by separate independent reproductive attorneys. EDSI coordinates the process but does not provide legal advice.
- Independent financial safeguards: Journey funds are held by an independent third party bonded escrow provider rather than by EDSI.
- Structured coordination through the full journey: EDSI coordinates with the fertility clinic, attorneys, insurance professionals, escrow provider, intended parents, and surrogate through matching, medical clearance, legal contracts, embryo transfer, pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum transition.
- Support for intended parents who already have embryos ready: When embryos have already been created, EDSI can focus on surrogate matching and coordination with the intended parents’ existing fertility clinic. See EDSI’s surrogacy with embryos already created guide for the next steps.
- Support for different family structures: EDSI works with domestic and international intended parents, LGBTQIA+ families, couples, and single intended parents.
For families deciding how to choose a surrogacy agency in California, the most important question is not which agency makes the biggest promise. It is which agency can clearly explain who reviews the surrogate, who makes final medical decisions, who holds the funds, who coordinates legal steps, what happens if a match does not proceed, and who remains responsible after pregnancy begins.
Editorial Disclosure
This guide is published by Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, which is included in the comparison. Information about other agencies is based on publicly available information reviewed in June 2026. Agency services, fees, matching timelines, surrogate availability, and program terms may change. Intended parents should verify current information directly with each agency before making a decision.
Not sure which agency structure fits your journey?
During a private consultation, EDSI will review your clinic and embryo status, matching priorities, expected timeline, budget questions, and the level of coordination you need.
Request a Private Consultation25+ years of experience · 3,000+ births supported · California-based · Surrogates throughout the United States · Independent third-party bonded escrow
Table of contents
- Quick Summary
- Why EDSI Is a Strong California Surrogacy Agency for Intended Parents
- How We Evaluated California Surrogacy Agencies
- California Surrogacy Agencies Commonly Compared by Intended Parents
- Which California Surrogacy Agency May Fit Your Priorities?
- Why Does California Law Matter When Comparing Surrogacy Agencies?
- Los Angeles and Southern California Surrogacy Agency Considerations
- How EDSI’s Surrogacy Program Is Structured
- What Is the Typical Cost of Surrogacy in California?
- How Does EDSI Support LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents?
- How Does EDSI Support International Intended Parents?
- About the Author
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Surrogacy Agencies in California
- Continue Your California Surrogacy Research
How We Evaluated California Surrogacy Agencies
Choosing a surrogacy agency requires more than comparing marketing claims or estimated matching timelines. Intended parents should evaluate how each agency structures screening, matching, legal coordination, financial safeguards, communication, and support throughout the journey.
The agencies included in this guide were selected because they serve California intended parents or coordinate surrogacy journeys involving California. Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute published this comparison and is included among the agencies reviewed.
We evaluated publicly available information using the following criteria:
- Agency history and leadership experience
- Surrogate qualification and screening coordination
- Matching process and intended parent involvement
- Agency fees and cost transparency
- Use of an independent escrow provider
- Coordination with independent reproductive attorneys
- Insurance review and financial planning
- Communication and case management during pregnancy
- Experience supporting LGBTQIA+ intended parents
- Experience supporting international intended parents
- Support through delivery and the postpartum transition
- Availability of current and verifiable program information
Agency services, fees, surrogate availability, and matching timelines can change. Intended parents should confirm current program details directly with each agency before signing an agreement or paying a fee.
What Should Intended Parents Compare Between California Surrogacy Agencies?
Intended parents should compare how each agency performs the work behind the promises. Two agencies may offer similar services, but the timing and scope of surrogate qualification, the handling of journey funds, the level of intended parent involvement, and the support provided after matching can be very different.
| Evaluation Area | What Intended Parents Should Confirm |
|---|---|
| Surrogate qualification before presentation | What eligibility review, medical record review, psychological evaluation, background screening, insurance review, and other qualification steps are complete before a surrogate is presented |
| Final medical clearance | Which fertility clinic performs the final medical evaluation and independently determines final medical clearance |
| Psychological evaluation | When the evaluation occurs and which independent professional performs it |
| Matching process | How intended parents review candidates, communicate before matching, and approve a match |
| Match protection | What happens if a proposed match does not proceed or the surrogate is not medically cleared |
| Agency fees | What services are included, which payments are refundable, and what additional fees may apply |
| Escrow structure | Whether journey funds are held by an independent third party bonded escrow provider |
| Legal coordination | How independent reproductive attorneys are selected and when contracts and parentage planning begin |
| Insurance review | Who reviews the surrogate’s insurance and identifies exclusions, premiums, deductibles, and backup coverage needs |
| Communication | Who provides updates and coordinates communication among the intended parents, surrogate, clinic, attorneys, and escrow provider |
| Pregnancy support | Whether agency coordination continues through pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum transition |
| LGBTQIA+ experience | Whether the agency has experience with inclusive matching and parentage coordination for different family structures |
| International experience | Whether the agency coordinates remote communication, travel planning, delivery preparation, and referrals for citizenship or documentation advice |
| Timeline expectations | How the agency explains surrogate availability, medical review, legal clearance, and embryo transfer timing |
Intended parents should ask each agency for specific answers rather than relying only on estimated matching times or general assurances. A clear agency agreement should explain responsibilities, fees, financial protections, communication expectations, and what happens when a journey does not proceed as expected.
California Surrogacy Agencies Commonly Compared by Intended Parents
Intended parents researching surrogacy in California often compare both California based agencies and national agencies that coordinate California journeys. The agencies below differ in size, program structure, matching approach, geographic reach, and level of personalized support.
This list is not a ranking. It is intended to help intended parents identify agencies they may want to research further and the questions they should ask before making a decision.
| Agency | California Connection | Publicly Stated Program Focus | Why Intended Parents May Compare It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) | California-based surrogacy and egg donation agency serving intended parents worldwide and working with gestational surrogates throughout the United States. | Personalized surrogacy and egg donation coordination, Ready for Matching qualification completed before a surrogate is presented, attorney guided legal coordination, and funds held by an independent third party bonded escrow provider | Intended parents seeking experienced leadership, direct communication, financial separation, and structured support for domestic, international, single-parent, and LGBTQIA+ journeys |
| Circle Surrogacy | Has a California office and serves intended parents throughout the United States and internationally | Full service surrogacy with interdisciplinary teams, matching support, legal coordination, and international programs | Intended parents comparing a large national agency with extensive resources and a California presence |
| Growing Generations | Serves intended parents in California and has a long history in assisted reproduction | Surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, screening, matching, and personalized case support | Intended parents comparing a large established program with significant LGBTQIA+ family building experience |
| Hatch | Based in Los Angeles and supports intended parents and surrogates throughout California | Surrogacy and egg donation matching, candidate screening, intended parent coordination, and California focused services | Intended parents comparing a long established California program that offers both surrogacy and egg donation |
| ConceiveAbilities | Serves intended parents in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and other California communities | National surrogacy and egg donation programs with matching, legal coordination, and local resources | Intended parents comparing a larger national program with services across multiple California regions |
Which California Surrogacy Agency May Fit Your Priorities?
Intended parents may value different qualities when comparing surrogacy agencies. Some prefer a large national program, while others want more personalized communication, California based coordination, international experience, or support with both surrogacy and egg donation.
The agencies below may be worth comparing based on the priorities they publicly emphasize.
| Intended Parent Priority | Agencies to Compare | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Personalized senior level involvement | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) | Who will manage the journey, how often intended parents receive updates, and whether senior leadership remains involved |
| Large national infrastructure | Circle Surrogacy, Growing Generations, ConceiveAbilities | Team structure, case volume, response times, and who remains responsible after matching |
| California based coordination | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), Hatch | Local support, California legal coordination, hospital planning, and surrogate availability |
| Combined surrogacy and egg donation services | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), Hatch, Growing Generations, ConceiveAbilities | Whether both programs are coordinated by the same team and which fees are separate |
| LGBTQIA+ family building experience | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, Growing Generations, Circle Surrogacy | Experience with inclusive matching, egg donor coordination, and independent parentage counsel |
| International intended parent support | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), Circle Surrogacy, Growing Generations | Travel planning, remote coordination, delivery preparation, and referrals for citizenship and documentation advice |
| Independent financial safeguards | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute and any agency using an independent licensed or bonded escrow provider | Who holds journey funds, whether the agency can access those funds, and what financial reporting is provided |
| Ready for Matching qualification before clinic clearance | Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute and other agencies that clearly explain their qualification process | What qualification steps are completed before presentation and when the fertility clinic independently determines final medical clearance occurs |
These categories are not rankings. Intended parents should confirm current services and program details directly with each agency before choosing a program.
Families comparing California agencies may also want to review our guide to the U.S. surrogacy agency comparison for intended parents.
Why Does California Law Matter When Comparing Surrogacy Agencies?
California is one of the most established states for gestational surrogacy because its laws provide a detailed framework for surrogacy agreements, independent legal representation, financial safeguards, and parentage proceedings.
California law requires the surrogate and intended parents to be represented by separate independent attorneys before they sign the gestational carrier agreement. The agreement must be fully executed before injectable medications begin in preparation for an embryo transfer or before the embryo transfer takes place.
California law also requires a nonattorney surrogacy facilitator to direct intended parent funds to an independent bonded escrow company or an attorney trust account. The agency may not have a financial interest in the escrow company holding those funds.
A parentage action may be filed before the child is born when the legal requirements are satisfied. The court can then issue an order establishing the intended parents as the child’s legal parents and confirming that the gestational carrier is not a legal parent.
These protections are one reason intended parents frequently consider California agencies. However, an agency’s location alone does not determine the quality of its program. Intended parents should still compare surrogate review, communication, fees, escrow arrangements, insurance coordination, attorney involvement, and support through pregnancy and delivery.
Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute coordinates with independent reproductive attorneys but does not provide legal advice. Intended parents and surrogates should obtain advice from their own licensed attorneys about their individual circumstances.
For a broader overview of the California surrogacy process, costs, timelines, and planning considerations, see EDSI’s California surrogacy cost guide
Los Angeles and Southern California Surrogacy Agency Considerations
EDSI is based in Beverly Hills, California 90210 and supports intended parents in Los Angeles and throughout California. Intended parents comparing a Los Angeles surrogacy agency should look beyond office location and ask how the agency qualifies surrogate candidates before presentation, coordinates matching, communicates with fertility clinics, manages insurance and escrow, and supports the journey after a match. See EDSI’s Los Angeles surrogacy guide for intended parents for local planning considerations.
EDSI works with gestational surrogate candidates throughout the United States, so intended parents can consider qualified candidates beyond Southern California while keeping California based coordination. If embryos are already ready, EDSI can coordinate matching with the intended parents’ existing fertility clinic.
How EDSI’s Surrogacy Program Is Structured
Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, also known as EDSI, is a surrogacy and egg donation agency based in Beverly Hills, California that coordinates United States surrogacy journeys. EDSI is led by Founder and Managing Director Parham Zar, who has worked in third party reproduction for more than 25 years. EDSI reports supporting the birth of more than 3,000 babies through surrogacy and egg donation journeys.
EDSI works with intended parents throughout the United States and internationally. Its program is structured around personalized coordination, Ready for Matching qualification before a surrogate is presented, collaboration with fertility clinics, attorney guided legal coordination, and financial separation through an independent third party bonded escrow provider.
How Does the EDSI California Surrogacy Process Work?
Consultation and readiness review: EDSI reviews the intended parents’ goals, fertility clinic status, embryo status, timeline, budget questions and matching priorities.
Ready for Matching qualification: Before a surrogate candidate is presented to intended parents, EDSI completes its required qualification process, including review of pregnancy and delivery records, medical history, medications, eligibility, readiness and household support, background screening, psychological evaluation and health insurance coverage.
Compatibility based matching: Intended parents review compatible Ready for Matching candidates and have an opportunity to communicate before both sides agree to move forward together.
Fertility clinic medical clearance: After a mutual match, the intended parents’ fertility clinic conducts its own medical evaluation and independently determines final medical clearance.
Legal and escrow coordination: After clinic clearance, the intended parents and surrogate are represented by separate independent reproductive attorneys, and required journey funds are placed with an independent third party bonded escrow provider.
Embryo transfer, pregnancy and delivery coordination: Once the required medical, legal and financial milestones are complete, EDSI continues coordinating with the intended parents, surrogate, fertility clinic and other professionals through embryo transfer, pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum transition.
Who Is EDSI a Strong Fit For?
EDSI is one of the agencies compared in this guide, not the right answer for every family. The points below describe the situations where the way EDSI runs its program lines up with what an intended parent is looking for.
| Intended Parent Priority | Why EDSI May Be a Strong Fit |
|---|---|
| A long track record in third party reproduction | Parham Zar has worked in third party reproduction for more than 25 years, and EDSI reports supporting more than 3,000 births through surrogacy and egg donation journeys. |
| Personalized coordination rather than being passed between departments | EDSI provides personalized and structured surrogacy coordination, with the same team coordinating the fertility clinic, attorneys, insurance professionals, and escrow provider. |
| A clearly defined legal process | EDSI runs an attorney guided legal process in which the intended parents and the gestational surrogate are each represented by their own independent reproductive attorney. EDSI does not provide legal advice. |
| Separation between agency funds and journey funds | Journey funds are held by an independent third party bonded escrow provider rather than by EDSI. |
| Support that continues after the match | EDSI supports intended parents throughout the matching and coordination process, including clinic scheduling, legal coordination, pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum transition. |
| Surrogacy and egg donation coordinated by one agency | EDSI runs both surrogacy and egg donation programs, which matters for intended parents who need an egg donor as well as a gestational surrogate. |
| Domestic and international journeys | EDSI works with intended parents in the United States and internationally, with gestational surrogates throughout the United States, and with LGBTQIA+ and single intended parents. |
Intended parents who prefer a large national organization with regional offices and larger case teams may want to compare the other agencies listed above. The useful test is not agency size. It is whether an agency will explain its surrogate qualification process, fee structure, escrow arrangement, legal coordination, and communication plan in writing before you sign.
Learn more about Parham Zar’s experience and read verified EDSI reviews and family stories.
What Is the Typical Cost of Surrogacy in California?
Surrogacy in California often costs approximately $150,000 to $220,000 or more. The final cost depends on surrogate compensation, agency services, fertility treatment, legal fees, insurance, escrow administration, travel, additional embryo transfers, and medical needs.
A California surrogacy budget may include:
- Surrogate compensation and benefits
- Agency coordination fees
- Fertility clinic treatment and embryo transfer costs
- Independent legal representation for the intended parents and surrogate
- Insurance review, premiums, deductibles, and uncovered medical expenses
- Independent escrow administration
- Psychological evaluations and medical screening
- Travel, delivery, and postpartum expenses
The lowest advertised estimate may not represent the full cost of the journey. Intended parents should request a written budget showing which expenses are included, which expenses are estimated, and which costs may change.
For a detailed breakdown, review EDSI’s 2026 surrogacy cost guide.
How Does EDSI Support LGBTQIA+ Intended Parents?
California has an established legal framework for gestational surrogacy involving intended parents with different family structures. Each family should receive independent legal advice based on its circumstances.
EDSI supports LGBTQIA+ intended parents through inclusive matching, egg donor coordination when needed, communication with fertility clinics, and coordination with independent reproductive attorneys for parentage planning. See EDSI’s LGBTQIA+ surrogacy options guide for a more detailed pathway.
EDSI also works with single intended parents and couples pursuing surrogacy in California and elsewhere in the United States. EDSI does not provide legal advice, and each party should be represented by an independent reproductive attorney.
How Does EDSI Support International Intended Parents?
EDSI supports international intended parents through remote coordination, communication with fertility clinics and reproductive attorneys, travel planning, insurance coordination, and preparation for delivery in the United States.
The EDSI team helps intended parents understand the practical steps of a United States surrogacy journey, including appointments, legal coordination, hospital planning, birth documentation, and communication across different time zones.
International intended parents should also work with qualified independent attorneys in the United States and their home country. Citizenship, passports, immigration, and recognition of parentage depend on the laws and requirements that apply to each family.
Learn more about international surrogacy for intended parents and the additional planning involved for intended parents living outside the United States.
About the Author
Parham Zar is the Founder and Managing Director of Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, also known as EDSI, in Beverly Hills, California. He has worked in surrogacy, egg donation, and third party reproduction for more than 25 years. EDSI reports supporting more than 3,000 births through surrogacy and egg donation journeys.
His experience includes intended parent guidance, surrogate coordination, egg donor programs, LGBTQIA+ family building, and international surrogacy. Parham works with EDSI’s coordination team and independent medical, legal, insurance, and escrow professionals to help intended parents understand each stage of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Surrogacy Agencies in California
California agencies commonly compared by intended parents include Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, Circle Surrogacy, Growing Generations, Hatch, ConceiveAbilities.
There is no single best agency for every family. Intended parents should compare surrogate qualification procedures, agency fees, matching support, communication, insurance coordination, attorney involvement, escrow arrangements, and support through pregnancy and delivery.
Yes. Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute, also known as EDSI, is a surrogacy and egg donation agency based in Beverly Hills, California. EDSI works with gestational surrogate candidates across the United States. Availability and suitability can vary based on the individual candidate, fertility clinic requirements, legal considerations, insurance review, and the specifics of the intended parents’ journey. EDSI supports intended parents throughout the United States and internationally, including LGBTQIA+ families and single parents.
EDSI provides personalized surrogacy coordination led by an experienced team under Founder and Managing Director Parham Zar. Its program includes Ready for Matching qualification completed before a surrogate is presented, coordination with fertility clinics and independent reproductive attorneys, communication through pregnancy and delivery, and journey funds held by an independent third party bonded escrow provider.
International intended parents should compare each agency’s experience with remote communication, fertility clinic coordination, travel planning, hospital preparation, birth documentation, insurance, escrow, and referrals to independent reproductive attorneys.
EDSI supports international intended parents throughout the United States surrogacy process. International families should also obtain independent legal advice concerning citizenship, passports, immigration, and recognition of parentage in their home country.
LGBTQIA+ intended parents should look for experience with inclusive matching, egg donor coordination when needed, independent reproductive attorneys, parentage planning, and communication that respects each family structure.
EDSI supports LGBTQIA+ intended parents pursuing surrogacy in California and throughout the United States.
Intended parents should ask what services are included in the agency fee, what surrogate qualification and screening are complete before presentation, who performs final medical clearance, who holds journey funds, how communication is managed, and what happens if a proposed match does not proceed.
They should also request a written explanation of estimated costs, refund terms, insurance coordination, legal coordination, and support provided during pregnancy and delivery.
Journey funds should be held separately from the surrogacy agency’s operating funds. California law generally requires a nonattorney surrogacy facilitator to direct client funds to an independent bonded escrow company or an attorney trust account.
EDSI uses an independent third party bonded escrow provider and does not hold intended parent journey funds.
Matching time depends on surrogate availability, intended parent preferences, medical requirements, location, embryo plans, and compatibility between the intended parents and surrogate.
Agencies should explain their current availability and qualification process, but intended parents should be cautious about guaranteed matching timelines.
A surrogacy agency may coordinate communication with reproductive attorneys, but the agency should not provide legal advice. The intended parents and surrogate should each have separate independent legal representation.
EDSI coordinates with independent reproductive attorneys but does not provide legal advice.
Continue Your California Surrogacy Research
Many intended parents compare agency structure, surrogate qualification, legal coordination, escrow safeguards, costs, and communication before choosing a California surrogacy agency.
Continue your research with these EDSI resources:
- Intended Parent Readiness Checklist
- California Surrogacy Law Guide
- Surrogacy Cost Guide
- Questions to Ask a Surrogacy Agency
CALL: 310-209-1898
EMAIL: edsi@eggdonorandsurrogacy.com
