5 Best Surrogacy Agencies for Intended Parents & Surrogates 2024

Are you considering becoming a surrogate or starting a family through surrogacy? If so, it's important to begin by finding the right surrogacy agency to guide you through the process and provide the best family-building experience. 

Surrogacy is a complex journey that requires careful consideration and understanding from all parties involved. To help you get started, we've put together a comprehensive review of the top factors to consider when deciding on a surrogacy agency and rankings of the best five surrogacy agencies. 

A Brief Overview of the Best Surrogacy Agencies

Here’s a quick breakdown of the top surrogacy agencies and what they’re most known for. Click on the links to see a more detailed description of each agency:

1. Best overall: Hatch.
2. Best for parents with embryos already: The Fertility Agency.
3. Best for parents who don’t need a clinic: Circle.
4. Best if you mainly need an egg donor: ConceiveAbilities.
5. Best if you are not heterosexual: Same Love Surrogacy.

Best Surrogacy Agency Selection Criteria

Choosing the right surrogacy agency can make all the difference in your journey. While there's no shortage of options across the country, not all agencies offer the same level of service, expertise, or support. 

We've identified several key factors that truly separate the exceptional agencies from the mediocre ones:

• Reputation and experience: An established track record speaks volumes. The best agencies have guided hundreds of families through successful surrogate pregnancies and have the testimonials to prove it. Dig into independent reviews, ask to speak with former clients, and investigate how long they've been operating in the field.
• Comprehensive services: Top-tier surrogacy agencies don't just make matches and disappear. They stand by you through every milestone, from initial matching to post-birth support. The process should include coordinating medical appointments, navigating insurance, providing counseling resources, and handling the intricate financial arrangements that surrogacy requires.
• Rigorous screening protocols: The most reputable agencies invest in their screening process for both surrogates and intended parents. This isn't just about medical history. It includes psychological evaluations, background checks, and in-depth interviews to make sure everyone's expectations align.
• Clear communication: Surrogacy involves intimate, life-changing decisions. The best agencies maintain open lines of communication, respond promptly to concerns, and never leave you wondering about next steps or unexpected costs. You should feel comfortable asking any question, no matter how sensitive.
• Ethical standards: Beyond legal compliance (which is non-negotiable), exceptional agencies maintain strict ethical guidelines that protect all parties. This includes fair compensation for surrogates, clear boundaries, and protocols that respect everyone's emotional well-being throughout the process.

5 Best Surrogacy Agencies

Considering all of these crucial and complex factors, our top recommendations for the best surrogacy agencies include: 

1. Hatch Fertility, Egg Donation & Surrogacy: Best Overall

Established in 1991, Hatch Fertility helps intended parents get the perfect match. It is the most established surrogacy and egg donor agency in the U.S. and has done over 8,000 successful journeys, thus making it top of our list for 2024. Intended parents get access to the highly unique Peace of Mind Program, which is a fixed fee to cover every expense needed on both the medical and agency side until live birth. Hatch is a favorite with surrogates who get personalized assistance and competitive compensation throughout the entire process. 

With Hatch Egg Donation & Surrogacy, you get a wide range of services. This includes IVF medical services, counseling & support, legal counsel, loan financing, screening & matching, escrow management, and case management. Hatch also offers a 99.5% success rate (the highest in the industry) and partners with the world’s top reproductive specialists —all to give intended parents the best chance of going home with their bundle of joy.

website | hatch.us

2. The Fertility Agency: Best for Parents With Embryos

Since 2004, The Fertility Agency has served over 1100 families (and counting). Each and every employee has personal experience, or has assisted in, fertility struggles, ensuring a supportive and understanding environment. The Fertility Agency's unique TrueMatch™ system is an intimate process that matches only the most qualified surrogate candidates to intended parents.

With 40% of surrogates being returning and referrals, you can feel confident that you are working with a surrogacy agency that focuses on the well-being of their intended parents and surrogates. The Fertility Agency also provides transparent pricing information for intended parents, breaking down the costs of surrogacy. 

website | thefertilityagency.com

 

3. Circle Surrogacy: Best for Parents Who Don't Need a Clinic

With a 99.3% success rate, Circle Surrogacy is another excellent choice for both intended parents and surrogates. In addition to assisting a diverse range of parents within the U.S., the agency supports international parents from over 70 countries. Circle Surrogacy has been helping members of the LGBTQ+ community build their families for over 25 years. 

To simplify the process, Circle Surrogacy offers several fixed-fee options covering agency services only. These options cater to various journeys, such as sibling journeys, using a personal or independent surrogate, or egg donation only, ensuring that there is an option to suit individual preferences.  

website | circlesurrogacy.com

4. ConceiveAbilities: Best if You Need an Egg Donor

ConceiveAbilities secures the third spot on our list, thanks to its outstanding reputation within the industry and extensive track record. The agency's well-structured system guides intended parents through the entire surrogacy journey, handling all aspects, including legal work. 

In addition to a strong surrogate matching process, ConceiveAbilities offers comprehensive support for egg donors. While the agency provides a comprehensive service, the qualification process to become a surrogate can be quite tedious. 

website | conceiveabilities.com

5. Same Love Surrogacy: Best for LGBTQ+

Same Love Surrogacy is an excellent agency for surrogates, offering robust support group functions and a strong commitment to the well-being of its surrogates. 

Similar to Hatch Egg Donation & Surrogacy, Same Love Surrogacy ensures that their surrogates are not pressured to participate in the service solely for financial reasons. They have a comprehensive list of surrogate expenses covered within all surrogate contracts, and their compensation and benefits plan is exemplary. 

website | samelovesurrogacy.com

Consider the Matching and Screening Process 

Elite surrogacy agencies invest significant resources into ensuring intended parents and surrogates are a good match.

The best agencies partner with reproductive endocrinologists who specialize in surrogacy to review the surrogate's complete health history, conduct physical examinations, and perform testing for everything from infectious diseases to genetic conditions.

Equally important is the psychological assessment. The emotional dimensions of surrogacy can't be overstated, and the agency should employ mental health professionals who specialize in reproductive psychology. They look beyond surface-level enthusiasm to identify any potential concerns like unresolved grief, relationship instability, or anxiety patterns that could emerge during pregnancy.

The home and lifestyle evaluation offers another important perspective. Through personal visits and detailed interviews, agency representatives analyze the surrogate's living environment, family dynamics, and daily routines.

Financial screening, while sometimes overlooked, provides important insights as well. 

The agency needs to verify that potential surrogates are financially stable and not motivated solely by compensation. Many agencies require surrogates to be financially self-sufficient apart from the surrogacy compensation.

Legal Guidance

When selecting a surrogacy agency, intended parents should consider several legal considerations: 

• State laws: Surrogacy laws vary significantly from state to state. Some states are considered surrogacy-friendly with established legal frameworks, while others may have restrictive or even prohibitive laws. Choose an agency familiar with the laws in both the intended parents' and the surrogate's state of residence.
• Contractual agreements: A surrogacy contract protects the rights and interests of all parties. It should address financial responsibilities, parental rights, decision-making authority, and contingencies for unforeseen circumstances.
• Parental establishment: The legal process for establishing parentage can vary depending on the circumstances of the surrogacy arrangement (e.g., traditional vs. gestational surrogacy, use of donor gametes). You need to understand the legal steps required to secure parental rights and create a smooth transition for the child.
• Insurance coverage: Surrogacy-related medical expenses can be substantial. Discuss insurance coverage for both the surrogate and yourself to avoid unexpected financial burdens.
• Legal counsel: Intended parents and surrogates should seek independent legal counsel to review contracts and ensure their rights are protected.

Considerations for LGBTQ+ Intended Parents

For LGBTQ+ intended parents, finding a surrogate agency that truly understands your unique journey requires looking beyond rainbow logos and inclusive language. 

The best agencies have attorneys who know how to navigate second-parent adoptions and cross-state recognition issues. They make sure that both partners establish secure legal parentage regardless of biological connection.

Seek agencies where at least 25-30% of completed journeys involved LGBTQ+ families. This depth of experience means they've already solved the unique challenges that might arise during your process. Ask for specific numbers.

Your agency should also maintain relationships with surrogates who are specifically motivated to help LGBTQ+ families. As a result, your surrogate will be genuinely enthusiastic about helping your family.

For gay men especially, journeys often require additional services like egg donation coordination and specialized legal work. The best surrogacy agencies provide detailed cost breakdowns that account for these differences upfront rather than surprising you later.

Take the Next Step

Finding the right surrogacy agency can feel overwhelming with so many factors to consider. 

While this guide provides a framework for evaluation, there's no substitute for connecting with an agency whose values and approach align with yours. 

Hatch is dedicated to prioritizing the well-being and support of our surrogates. We work hard to create a positive and fulfilling experience for all involved in the surrogacy journey. 

Our agency upholds ethical surrogacy practices, avoiding any form of financial coercion and placing utmost importance on informed consent. We understand the complexities of surrogacy, which is why we offer extensive support services for both intended parents and surrogates throughout the entire process. With a proven track record of success and a team of seasoned professionals, Hatch is ready to guide you through your journey with expertise and care.