If you’re considering surrogacy, one of your first questions is likely: What does the surrogacy timeline look like, and how long does the journey take? Understanding the surrogacy process timeline helps both intended parents and surrogates prepare for each step with realistic expectations.
While every journey is unique, most surrogacy timelines span 18–24+ months from initial consultation to delivery.
Below, we’ll walk through the steps of surrogacy, explain what affects the timeline, and share resources to help you prepare.
For most intended parents, the surrogacy process takes about 15 to 24 months from start to finish—from the moment you begin the journey to the birth of your baby.
Some journeys move faster, while others take longer, depending on the speed of the surrogate matching process and whether any legal, medical, or IVF-related delays arise.
While it’s possible to complete a surrogacy journey in closer to 12 months under ideal conditions, many families should plan for a year and a half or more.
Below, we break down how that time is typically spent across each stage of the surrogacy journey, and what factors can shorten or extend the overall timeline.
The journey begins with learning about surrogacy, gathering medical records, and deciding whether to move forward.
This initial preparation sets the foundation for a smooth process.
Next, both surrogates and intended parents go through important evaluations:
This step ensures everyone is fully ready, physically and emotionally, for the journey ahead.
The matching phase is one of the most meaningful steps of surrogacy. Surrogates and intended parents are carefully paired based on shared values, lifestyle, and expectations.
At Hatch, our surrogate matching process often takes 2–3 months, once cleared for matching, significantly shorter than many agencies. This reduces uncertainty and helps families move forward sooner.
Once a match is made, both sides work with attorneys to draft and finalize a surrogacy agreement. The contract outlines:
Legal timelines vary depending on state laws and the complexity of the agreement.
Surrogates begin fertility medications to prepare for embryo transfer. IVF specialists then transfer an embryo to the surrogate’s uterus.
If embryos are already frozen, this stage may move more quickly. If multiple IVF attempts are needed, it can extend the surrogacy timeline.
Pregnancy is the longest stage of the journey. Surrogates attend regular checkups, while intended parents prepare for the arrival of their baby. Agencies often provide ongoing support, counseling, and surrogacy readiness resources to help families manage expectations during this time.
At delivery, intended parents are united with their child. In most states, legal parentage is established before or shortly after birth. Surrogates also receive post-partum care and emotional support, which is an important part of the surrogacy process for mothers.
Every surrogacy journey is unique. Factors that may influence the timeline include:
No two surrogacy journeys move at exactly the same pace. While the overall timeline follows the same core stages, specific circumstances can significantly shorten or extend how long the process takes.
Below are common situations that affect total timing:
Intended parents who already have viable embryos often move through the medical phase more efficiently. With fewer preparatory steps required, the process may progress with fewer delays once a surrogate is matched.
When egg donation is part of the journey, additional time is typically needed for donor selection, screening, and embryo creation. This doesn’t complicate the process, but it does add another layer that can extend the overall timeframe.
Matching is one of the most variable parts of surrogacy. Some intended parents connect with a surrogate quickly, while others take more time to find the right fit based on medical criteria, preferences, or availability.
Not every embryo transfer results in a pregnancy. When additional transfers are needed, the medical portion of the journey can take longer, even though the overall process remains the same.
Cross-border surrogacy may require extra coordination around legal processes, travel, and medical logistics. These additional steps can add time, even when everything else progresses smoothly.
Typically 18–24+ months, but it can vary.
In most cases, the process continues with additional embryo transfers, though it may extend the timeline.
While medical and legal steps can’t be rushed, working with an experienced agency like Hatch reduces delays and provides more transparency.
The matching phase is often the most unpredictable part of the journey. Finding the right surrogate based on medical criteria, preferences, and availability can take anywhere from a few months to longer, depending on the situation.
The surrogacy timeline involves several key stages: preparation, screening, matching, contracts, medical transfer, pregnancy, and delivery. While the journey often takes 18–24+ months, the exact timeline depends on individual circumstances.
With over 30 years of experience and a 99%+ agency success rate, Hatch provides guidance, support, and transparency at every step—ensuring your surrogacy journey stays on track and your family’s dream becomes a reality.