Surrogacy costs break down into six main parts

Surrogacy is expensive. You deserve to see where every dollar goes before you commit. This guide breaks the cost into its main parts and explains what each one pays for.

The figures here are broad on purpose. Your total depends on your clinic, your insurance, whether you need an egg donor and how many transfers it takes. Matching for intended parents at Poppy opens soon. When it does, we will give you a written, itemized estimate before you sign anything.

The total falls within a wide range

All in, a gestational surrogacy in California typically costs intended parents [[PLACEHOLDER: total cost range]]. That range is wide, and it should be. Two families can have very different needs.

The biggest factors are:

• Whether you already have embryos or need to create them.
• Whether you need an egg donor.
• Your surrogate's health insurance.
• How many embryo transfers it takes.

1. The agency fee pays for matching and coordination

The agency fee covers the work of finding, screening and matching you with a surrogate, then coordinating everything through delivery. At Poppy, that includes your dedicated coordinator, surrogate recruitment and screening, matching, and support for everyone until after the birth.

Our agency fee is [[PLACEHOLDER: Poppy agency fee]]. Ask any agency what its fee includes, what it leaves out and whether any part is refundable if a match ends.

2. Surrogate pay is the largest single item

Surrogate base pay at Poppy starts at $65,000. Experienced surrogates may receive more. Base pay is paid monthly once the pregnancy is confirmed.

On top of base pay, there are allowances and event-based payments. These include a monthly allowance, a payment for each embryo transfer, and payments for things like a C-section or multiples if they happen. Budget [[PLACEHOLDER: typical range for allowances and milestone payments]] for these.

For the full picture from the surrogate's side, read Surrogate pay in California comes in clear, scheduled parts.

3. Legal fees cover two separate lawyers

In California, you and your surrogate each have your own lawyer. You pay for both. Your lawyer drafts and negotiates the surrogacy agreement and files for your parentage order. Your surrogate's lawyer reviews the agreement and advises only her.

Budget [[PLACEHOLDER: legal fee range, intended parent side]] for your lawyer and [[PLACEHOLDER: legal fee range, surrogate side]] for your surrogate's lawyer. If you work with an egg donor, there is a separate donor agreement with its own legal fees.

4. Medical costs come in two groups

IVF and transfer. This covers creating embryos if you do not have them, the surrogate's screening at your clinic, medications and the embryo transfer. Clinic fees vary widely. Budget [[PLACEHOLDER: IVF and transfer cost range]] per cycle. More than one transfer means more cost.

Pregnancy and delivery. This covers prenatal care, delivery and the hospital stay. Most of it is billed to insurance. You pay what insurance does not, such as deductibles and copays.

If you need an egg donor, add donor pay (Poppy donors are paid from $10,000 per cycle), donor screening, and the donor's medical and legal costs. Budget [[PLACEHOLDER: egg donor total cost range]].

5. Insurance is the part people underestimate

• Your surrogate's health insurance. Some plans cover a surrogate pregnancy. Many exclude it. A specialist reviews her policy. If it does not cover surrogacy, you buy a surrogacy-specific plan. Budget [[PLACEHOLDER: surrogacy insurance cost range]].
• Life insurance for your surrogate. A term policy that covers the pregnancy.
• Newborn coverage. Your baby needs coverage from birth. Check with your own plan early.

6. Escrow keeps the money independent

All funds for your surrogate's pay and expenses go into an independent escrow account. The escrow company charges a fee to manage it, usually [[PLACEHOLDER: escrow fee range]].

California Family Code sections 7960 to 7962 require surrogacy facilitators to direct client funds to an independent escrow or attorney trust account. The agency never holds the money meant for your surrogate. You receive regular statements that show every payment in and out.

Smaller costs add up

Plan for these as well:

• Psychological screening and support for your surrogate, and often for you.
• Background checks on your surrogate and her partner.
• Travel for your surrogate to your clinic if it is not local.
• Lost wages, childcare and housekeeping if your surrogate needs them.
• Your own travel to appointments and the birth.

Set aside a contingency for things no one can predict [[PLACEHOLDER: suggested contingency amount or percentage]].

Payments are spread over time

You do not pay everything at once. A typical order looks like this:

1. The agency fee, paid in stages [[PLACEHOLDER: Poppy fee schedule]].
2. Legal fees as the agreement is drafted and signed.
3. The first escrow deposit, before any medical step begins.
4. IVF and transfer costs, paid to your clinic.
5. Escrow top-ups as the pregnancy goes on.

A written estimate is the best protection

Ask every agency for a written, itemized estimate. Ask which items are fixed and which depend on events. Ask what happens to your money if a match ends or a transfer does not succeed. A good agency answers these questions plainly and puts the answers in writing.

We will do the same for you. When matching opens, we will walk through your situation and give you a full estimate before you sign.

This article is general information. It is not legal, medical or financial advice.