See why surrogates & parents choose West Coast Surrogacy Agency.

Let’s be honest, you probably have a few questions

And we’re here to answer them, no matter how big or small.

• What is gestational surrogacy?

  Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman agrees to become pregnant and give birth to a child or children for others (intended parents) to raise. This special woman is called the surrogate (also known as the surrogate mother). WCS conducts gestational surrogacy arrangements, whereby embryos produced by the intended parents, with eggs from the intended mother or with the assistance of an egg donor and sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor, are implanted in the surrogate. The embryo is produced by a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF). This process ensures the baby has no genetic relationship to the surrogate.

• From what states do you accept surrogates?

  We accept surrogates from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

  If you are uncertain about the laws in your state regarding surrogacy, please call our office to speak with a representative. The intended parents that you are matched with will pay any traveling expenses related to your surrogacy.

• How much do surrogates earn? Does it matter?

  Every surrogacy case is unique and involves many factors that can impact the overall compensation. The average amount of compensation, including expenses, can range from $77,000 to $102,000 depending on experience and the individual arrangements. In states like California, where surrogates are in high demand, surrogates may be paid slightly higher. Legal requirements and the costs of other services can also vary from state to state. However, the amount surrogate mothers get paid doesn't vary greatly between cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston.

• Is there a difference between a gestational carrier and a traditional surrogate mother?

  These two terms are often used interchangeably, however, traditional surrogacy is a more outdated. The most common type is gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate mother carries a child conceived using the intended parents' or donors' genetic material, making her genetically unrelated to the child. Gestational surrogacy is the primary focus of modern surrogacy practices due to its clear legal and genetic distinctions. Traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is used, is less common and not practiced by the vast majority of fertility clinics and surrogacy agencies, including WCS.

• How long does the process take (aside from the pregnancy)?

  The surrogacy process typically takes around 12 to 18 months from the time the intended parents and surrogate are matched to the birth of the child. This timeframe can vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the time it takes to find a suitable match, legal proceedings, and the success of the fertility treatments.

• Is it difficult for surrogates to give up the baby?

  This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions of gestational surrogacy. The gestational carrier enters in to the arrangement of surrogacy knowing that the baby she will carry is that of the intended parents, and will have no biological connection to her. Surrogates already have a family and children of their own. Generally it is the result of the surrogate’s love for her children that compels her to become a surrogate, allowing her to provide another couple with the same opportunity to experience parenthood.

• What are the requirements to become a surrogate?

  To become a surrogate with WCS, candidates need to be between 21 and 40 years old, have given birth to and raised at least one child, be in good physical and mental health, not smoke or use drugs, have a healthy BMI, and live in a surrogacy-friendly state. They must also be willing to undergo extensive medical, psychological, and background screenings. Review the full surrogate requirements here.

FAQ for SurrogatesFAQ for Intended Parents