Updated for 2026 to reflect current surrogacy cost ranges, planning considerations, and legal context in the United States.
How much does surrogacy cost in the United States in 2026?
Most surrogacy journeys in the United States cost between $150,000 and $220,000+, depending on surrogate experience, medical needs, insurance coverage, and legal structure. Costs are divided into five primary categories: surrogate compensation, IVF and medical care, agency coordination, legal services, and insurance.
Typical Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
| Category | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Surrogate Compensation | $60,000 – $110,000+ |
| IVF & Medical Care | $30,000 – $45,000+ |
| Agency Coordination | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Legal Services | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Insurance & Travel | $17,000 – $35,000 |
These figures help intended parents understand how a full surrogacy budget is structured before diving into the detailed explanations below.
These ranges reflect common 2026 planning benchmarks across established surrogacy states such as California, Texas, and Illinois. Actual totals vary based on pregnancy complexity, insurance structure, and number of embryo transfers.
Is Surrogacy Covered by Insurance?
Insurance coverage varies widely depending on the surrogate’s policy and employer plan. Some policies allow gestational surrogacy with minimal restrictions, while others exclude it entirely. Because insurance compatibility is one of the biggest variables in total cost, families should review coverage early in the planning process.
Insurance is one of the largest variables affecting total surrogacy cost. A detailed explanation of how surrogacy insurance works, including surrogate medical coverage and newborn responsibility, is outlined in our complete surrogacy insurance guide.
Quick Planning Checklist for Intended Parents
• Confirm surrogate compensation range
• Budget for IVF and medications
• Secure maternity insurance coverage
• Allocate legal and escrow costs
• Set aside contingency funds for unexpected expenses
How much does surrogacy cost with Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI)?
The total estimated cost for a surrogacy journey in the United States generally ranges from $150,000 to $220,000+, depending on medical needs, legal requirements, and the surrogate’s experience.
Costs typically fall into five main categories: surrogate compensation, medical and IVF care, agency coordination, legal services, and insurance. California based journeys often sit at the higher end of this range due to experienced surrogates and strong legal protections for parents.
Rather than focusing on line by line budgeting here, this overview is designed to explain why surrogacy costs what it does and how the major cost categories fit together.
If you want a personalized estimate based on your situation, speak with our team here .
Parham Zar’s Note: Transparency matters. All surrogacy journeys at Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) use a bonded third party escrow provider to ensure funds are managed securely, documented clearly, and released only according to legal agreements.
Why Transparency Matters in Surrogacy Costs
Surrogacy in the United States continues to grow as one of the most trusted family building paths for intended parents. At Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), Parham Zar and his team guide families through each financial stage with clarity and careful preparation. Transparent cost explanations help parents understand how compensation, IVF, legal services, insurance, and travel expenses shape the overall investment.
Every journey at EDSI is supported by secure fund management through a third party bonded escrow provider. This ensures that every payment is documented, protected, and released only according to the legal agreements in place. Families always know where their funds are and how they are being used.
Costs vary across the country. California offers strong legal protections and access to experienced surrogacy professionals. Texas often provides more affordable agency and coordination costs. Illinois maintains a balanced structure with reliable medical and legal standards. EDSI helps families understand these regional differences so they can approach their journey with clarity and confidence.
If you want a personalized estimate based on your situation, speak with our team here.
Table of Contents
Average Cost of Surrogacy in the United States
Is Surrogacy Covered by Insurance?
Surrogacy Cost Overview in the United States
This overview explains the major cost categories involved in a full surrogacy journey in the United States, including compensation, IVF care, legal services, insurance, and agency coordination. Actual totals vary based on medical needs, legal structure, and the surrogate’s experience.
Typical Total Cost Range: $150,000 to $220,000+
-
Surrogate Compensation:
Base compensation, experience premiums, and additional allowances such as travel, delivery method, and lost wages. -
Medical and IVF Care:
IVF cycles, embryo transfer, medications, monitoring, and pregnancy related medical care. -
Agency and Coordination:
Screening, matching, case management, and coordination throughout the journey. -
Legal Services:
Gestational carrier agreements, independent counsel, and parentage orders. -
Insurance and Travel:
Maternity coverage when required, deductible gaps, and travel related expenses.
This guide explains each part of the financial journey clearly, from surrogate compensation and agency coordination to legal fees, insurance, and the unexpected expenses that intended parents often overlook, so you can plan with confidence.
What Is the Average Cost of Surrogacy in the U.S.?
The average cost of surrogacy in the United States generally falls within the $150,000 to $220,000 range, though final expenses vary widely based on where the journey takes place and how the pregnancy unfolds. States with long established surrogacy frameworks such as California, New York, and Illinois tend to sit at the higher end due to stronger legal protections, higher surrogate compensation, and more comprehensive insurance requirements.
More affordable surrogacy journeys are often found in states such as Texas or Florida, where compensation expectations and legal costs may be lower. However, total cost is influenced less by geography alone and more by factors such as surrogate experience, medical complexity, insurance coverage, number of embryo transfers, and whether additional legal steps are required. For this reason, the average cost should be viewed as a planning benchmark rather than a guaranteed total.
Short Answer: Surrogacy costs are divided into compensation, medical, agency, legal, and insurance categories.
Breakdown of Surrogacy Costs
1. Surrogate Compensation
- First-time surrogate: $60,000 to $85,000
- Experienced surrogate: $85,000 to $110,000+
- Additional allowances for C-section, twins, maternity clothing, wellness, travel, and lost wages
2. Medical and IVF Expenses
- IVF cycle: $15,000 to $25,000
- Embryo transfer and medications: $5,000 to $10,000
- Monitoring, labs, and prenatal care: $10,000+
3. Agency and Coordination Fees
- Agency coordination: $30,000 to $60,000
- Includes psychological screening, surrogate matching, coordination, and legal referrals
4. Legal Fees
- Gestational carrier agreement: $3,000 to $6,000
- Independent counsel for surrogate: $1,500+
- Pre-birth or post-birth order: $2,500 to $6,000
5. Insurance and Travel
- Maternity policy (if required): $12,000 to $30,000
- Travel and accommodations: $5,000+
All financial transactions are managed through a third party bonded escrow provider to ensure transparency, accountability, and full legal compliance throughout the process.
Short Answer: Surrogacy in California usually ranges from $150,000 to $220,000 because compensation, insurance costs, medical and IVF expenses and legal expertise are higher in this state.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in California?
Based on current cost data and recent planning ranges, California remains one of the most supportive and experienced states for surrogacy but also one of the costliest. Total journey costs in California typically range from $150,000 to $220,000, reflecting higher surrogate compensation, more comprehensive insurance needs, medical and IVF expenses and an elevated cost of living.
Families often choose California for its strong legal protections, reliable access to pre-birth orders, and well established surrogacy framework. These elements provide intended parents and surrogates with a level of confidence and security that is unmatched in many other states.
For a complete overview of the process, families can also review the surrogacy process guide.
Short Answer: Surrogacy costs differ by state because compensation levels, legal requirements, and insurance options vary widely across the United States.
How Costs Differ by State
Surrogacy costs can change significantly based on where the surrogate lives and where the journey is legally based. States such as California, New York, and Illinois tend to be on the higher end because of stronger legal protections, experienced professionals, and higher compensation levels. Texas and Florida are often more affordable for intended parents while still offering reliable medical care and positive legal environments. Other states such as Colorado and Nevada fall in the middle range, offering balanced cost structures with growing surrogacy programs.
Families who want legal certainty often choose states with well established surrogacy frameworks and predictable court processes. At Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), Parham Zar and the team help families compare state options based on both cost and legal protections to ensure a secure journey.
Surrogacy Cost Comparison by State
| State | Typical Total Range | Legal Stability | Surrogate Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $150,000 to $220,000+ | Very strong | High |
| Texas | $120,000 to $180,000 | Strong | Moderate |
| Illinois | $140,000 to $200,000 | Strong | Moderate |
Short Answer: Yes, intended parents should expect possible additional costs such as extra embryo transfers, insurance gaps, lost wages, and travel for delivery.
Are There Hidden Surrogacy Expenses?
Most surrogacy costs are predictable when planned early, but intended parents should be aware of potential add-ons that may arise during the journey. These include additional embryo transfers, insurance deductible gaps, lost wage reimbursements if the surrogate requires bed rest, postpartum support, and travel for delivery if the birth occurs in a different state.
Working with an experienced agency like Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI) helps ensure that every possible scenario is discussed up front and fully included in the contract, so families understand their budget and avoid unexpected expenses. Public conversations about celebrity surrogacy often oversimplify what real families go through. Our expert response to the Lily Collins surrogacy debate explains why these journeys are far more complex than headlines suggest.
Short Answer: Most standard insurance plans do not cover gestational surrogacy, and intended parents usually need to purchase a specialized maternity policy for the surrogate.
Is Surrogacy Covered by Insurance?
As of recent insurance guidelines, most intended parents must secure a specialized maternity policy for their surrogate. While a small number of employer based plans may cover fertility services for the intended parents themselves, these policies rarely include gestational carrier coverage. Many standard insurance plans have clear surrogacy exclusions, which means a separate surrogacy specific maternity policy is needed to cover prenatal care, labor, and delivery.
Surrogacy insurance plans in 2025 typically range from $12,000 to $30,000, depending on the surrogate’s health history, coverage tier, and delivery location. Families should also budget for possible deductible gaps and out of pocket costs, which vary by policy.
Short Answer: The best way to budget for surrogacy is to plan for every major category in advance, including compensation, legal fees, IVF, insurance, and unexpected expenses.
Final Thoughts: Budgeting for the True Cost of Surrogacy
Understanding how much surrogacy costs helps intended parents create a realistic plan and feel fully prepared for each stage of the journey. Although the total investment may seem high at first, each cost supports a vital part of the process, from medical care to legal protection to the surrogate’s well-being.
A thoughtful budget should include base compensation, agency coordination, IVF needs, legal representation for both parties, maternity insurance, and possible unexpected items such as lost wages or additional transfers. Many families also set aside a small contingency amount to stay flexible as the journey progresses.
At Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), Parham Zar and the team guide intended parents through each financial step with clarity, careful planning, and a commitment to transparency. By using a third party bonded escrow provider, families can trust that every payment is managed securely and documented clearly from start to finish.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
https://www.asrm.org/topics/topics-index/surrogacy/CDC ART Success Rates
https://www.cdc.gov/art/Resolve: National Infertility Association
https://resolve.org/- Learn more about how to become a surrogate.
- Start your journey with a free consultation for intended parents.
- Discover the full surrogacy process step-by-step guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surrogacy Costs in 2025
Short Answer: Most surrogacy journeys in the United States cost between $150,000 and $220,000 depending on medical needs, legal requirements, and the surrogate’s location.
Full Answer:
The total cost of surrogacy in 2025 typically falls between $150,000 and $220,000. States such as California, New York, and Illinois tend to be on the higher end due to compensation, insurance, and legal standards, while Texas and Florida often offer more affordable options. Intended parents should plan for compensation, IVF and medical care, legal fees, and maternity insurance.
Short Answer: California surrogacy costs more because compensation, insurance, and legal protections are stronger and more comprehensive.
Full Answer:
California offers unmatched legal protections for intended parents, including reliable pre-birth orders and surrogacy friendly courts. Compensation levels are higher, insurance policies are more complex, and the cost of living directly affects travel and related expenses. Total journey costs in California normally range from $150,000 to $220,000.
The largest costs include surrogate compensation, IVF Short Answer: The major surrogacy expenses include surrogate compensation, IVF medical care, legal fees, and insurance.
Full Answer:
Surrogate compensation is often the largest category. IVF and medical care can include medications, embryo transfer, monitoring, and prenatal care. Legal fees cover agreements for both the intended parents and the surrogate, along with court orders. Insurance may include a surrogacy specific maternity policy plus deductible gaps and newborn coverage.
Short Answer: Yes, additional costs can occur such as extra embryo transfers, insurance gaps, lost wages, and postpartum support.
Full Answer:
Intended parents may need to prepare for additional embryo transfers, bed rest reimbursements, postpartum care, travel expenses for delivery, and insurance deductible gaps. Working with Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute EDSI helps ensure these items are included in the overall plan and contract so families avoid unexpected charges.
Short Answer: Most standard insurance policies do not cover gestational surrogacy, so intended parents often need a separate maternity plan.
Full Answer:
A majority of employer or marketplace insurance plans have surrogacy exclusions. A dedicated surrogacy specific maternity policy is often required and ranges from $12,000 to $30,000 depending on the surrogate’s health and the state where the delivery occurs. Newborn insurance is separate and should be arranged before the birth.
Short Answer: All funds are managed through a third party bonded escrow provider for full security and documentation.
Full Answer:
Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute EDSI protects intended parents by requiring that every financial transaction be handled through a third party bonded escrow provider. This ensures clear documentation, secure fund separation, and complete financial oversight from the first payment to the final disbursement.
