Starting a family through surrogacy is exciting and can also feel overwhelming. Choosing the right agency is one of the most important steps toward a smooth, supported path to parenthood.
What is a surrogacy agency?
A surrogacy agency supports both surrogates and intended parents through gestational surrogacy. It matches intended parents with qualified surrogates and manages legal, financial and emotional factors: screening surrogates, coordinating medical appointments, facilitating communication and providing counseling.
Agency vs. fertility clinic
Fertility clinics focus on medical procedures such as IVF, embryo transfer and early pregnancy monitoring. Agencies handle the broader journey: surrogate recruitment, screening, matching, legal contracts and financial management. Most intended parents work with both.
What to look for
Services. Some agencies only match; others offer counseling, medical coordination, legal oversight, escrow management and post-birth support.
Experience and success. Ask for success rates, the number of completed surrogacies and client experiences. Agencies with larger networks can often match faster.
Reputation. Read reviews and testimonials, and talk to past clients if you can.
Screening. A good agency evaluates medical history, psychological readiness, lifestyle and overall suitability.
Transparent fees. Ask for the fees, payment schedule and escrow practices, and what is included versus extra. See what surrogacy costs.
Legal expertise. The agency should work closely with reproductive attorneys so all agreements comply with state and federal law.
Questions to ask
Screening and matching
- How do you screen surrogates?
- What is your matching process?
- What happens if a match doesn’t work out?
- Do you provide support after matching?
Costs and timelines
- What is the total estimated cost, including agency, medical and legal fees?
- What could increase costs?
- What is the average time to match?
- Are payment plans or financial assistance available?
Legal and medical coordination
- Who handles legal contracts?
- Do you coordinate with my fertility clinic?
- How do you handle medical or emotional complications?
- Is counseling offered to surrogates and intended parents?
Red flags
- No transparency on pricing
- Few details about screening or matching
- Poor communication or slow responses
- Unrealistic promises about timelines or success rates
How to compare agencies
- Build a checklist of services, fees, experience and reputation.
- Book consultations to ask questions and gauge communication.
- Read the contracts carefully.
Why a full-service agency can help
One point of contact for legal, financial and medical coordination takes a great deal of stress off your plate. Royal Surrogacy is a full-service agency founded by medical professionals and former surrogates, with 500+ matches. Book a free consultation.