We serve families and surrogates across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento and the rest of the state, with offices in Beverly Hills and Irvine. Read the full guide to California surrogacy law in 2026.
California surrogacy law
Gestational surrogacy has been legally recognized in California since the early 1990s, after the landmark Johnson v. Calvert decision in 1993 established the rights of intended parents and the autonomy of gestational carriers. Unlike states where surrogacy sits in a legal gray area, California offers a predictable, court-tested path from embryo transfer to birth certificate.
The law protects:
- The surrogate. Her bodily autonomy, health decisions, compensation, independent legal counsel and insurance are contractually safeguarded.
- The intended parents. Pre-birth parentage orders establish them as legal parents before delivery.
- The child. Legal parentage is clear from birth.
- Egg donors. Donors have no parental rights or obligations when agreements are properly structured.
For surrogates in California
The process follows eight steps: application (20 minutes), consultation (24–48 hours), pre-screening (2–4 weeks), matching (about 2 weeks), medical clearance (4–6 weeks), legal clearance (2–4 weeks), embryo transfer (5–8 weeks) and pregnancy (40 weeks). See the surrogate process.
Pay and benefits. Because California is high-demand and legally secure, compensation is among the highest in the country. Royal surrogates earn $50,000–$60,000 in base pay the first time and $75,000–$110,000 when experienced, plus:
- Base compensation and monthly allowance
- Signing bonus and embryo transfer bonus
- Health and life insurance
- Wellness and housekeeping programs
- Travel expenses
Referral bonus. Refer a friend who becomes a surrogate: $5,000 for California residents, $3,000 for other states. See the referral program.
For intended parents in California
California offers legal reassurance and access to some of the nation’s top fertility clinics, for heterosexual couples, LGBTQ+ couples, single parents and international families alike. The journey typically takes 14 to 20 months. See the parent process.
How we match. Surrogates and intended parents both complete a profile covering relationship status, profession and hobbies, home environment and reasons for choosing surrogacy, plus preferences such as contact level, the surrogate’s location and the number of embryos to transfer.
How much does surrogacy cost in California?
Total costs generally range from $150,000 to $210,000, depending on surrogate compensation, IVF clinic fees, legal expenses, agency fees, insurance and escrow management. California is one of the more expensive states, but its clear legal process reduces unexpected complications. See the full cost breakdown.