A Guide for Evaluating Surrogate Companies

Photo of a pregnant woman having a teleconference with a surrogate agency

Surrogacy is an arrangement between an individual or couple looking to contract with a surrogate to have a child. Learning how to choose a surrogacy agency is very important as the organization will facilitate the entire surrogacy process, from finding a surrogate through pregnancy and delivery. Couples or individuals may choose surrogacy for various reasons, such as infertility (including male infertility, age-related infertility, or medical infertility), genetic issues that could compromise the mother or child’s health, or because the individual or couple are males. When you’re thinking of creating your family through surrogacy, it is important to understand how to evaluate the many available surrogate companies. This article will discuss how to choose a surrogacy agency by establishing an agency’s credentials and criteria to consider when selecting an agency.

Establishing Surrogacy Agency Credentials

Understanding how to choose a surrogacy agency starts with researching businesses in your area. First, check online reviews and talk to people who have utilized the agency in the past. This will give you a better understanding of the agency’s reputation and services. Second, ensure that the agency offers all the services you need, such as pre-screening and matching, legal advice and support, and medical referrals. Finally, confirm that the agency is licensed and accredited in your state or country, and ask how long they have been in business.

Narrowing Your List of Surrogate Companies

Once you have established the credentials of potential agencies, it is time to compare their services and select one that meets your needs and budget. In learning how to choose a surrogacy agency, this comparison of services and costs is most important. First, understand the costs associated with using each agency, such as fees for services, medical expenses, and legal fees. Then, once you have identified a few potential agencies, meet with their representatives, and ask questions specific to your needs and wants to ensure they are a good fit for you and your family. During this time, it’s important to understand how the agency matches potential surrogates to intended parents and how its database of surrogates is maintained.

A Must-Ask Question: An Agency’s Surrogate Requirements

When narrowing your list of surrogate companies, it is vital to consider the requirements for becoming a gestational surrogate. These can vary from one agency to another but typically include being between the ages of 21 and 45, having at least one successful pregnancy in the past, and being medically healthy with no history of complications or genetic diseases. In addition to these physical requirements, gestational surrogates must also be willing to follow through with all legal agreements necessary for a successful process. This includes abiding by any decisions made by the intended parents throughout their journey together. As you navigate through the process of how to choose a surrogacy agency, be sure to keep a careful accounting of the surrogate requirements and screening processes used by each.

Photo of a surrogate walking down the street holding flowers

Understanding Surrogacy and the Law

When considering gestational surrogacy, it is essential to understand the legal implications for both parties involved. A good surrogacy agency will help you navigate potential issues that may arise and provide advice on how to handle any legal concerns properly. Before beginning the process, you’ll want to understand all contracts, parental rights, medical expenses, and insurance coverage. In addition, it is wise to consider having a lawyer review the agreement between the surrogate mother and the intended parents to protect everyone’s best interests. When deciding how to choose a surrogacy agency, consider their legal referral system and if they can confidently provide proper planning and guidance.

A Must-Ask Question: Surrogacy and the LGBTQ Community

Gestational surrogacy is a very popular option for same-sex male couples who are looking to create their family. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo created through IVF is implanted into the surrogate mother’s uterus. Same-sex male couples may utilize eggs from a family member or friend or choose donor eggs to create their children.

For LGBTQ couples learning how to choose a surrogacy agency, it is important to ask questions about the agency’s experience working with the LGBTQ community. Additionally, there may be different legal requirements based on where the couple resides. The best surrogate companies will be able to provide information on any local laws regarding gay adoption or parenting rights and advise about any additional screening processes that may need to take place before beginning the journey towards parenthood.

How to Choose the Right Surrogacy Agency? Take Your Time and Ask Questions

When sorting through the dozens of surrogate companies in your area, it is important to do your research and compare services and requirements to select an agency that is right for you and your needs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and speak at length with the agency’s representative about what you are hoping for with a gestational surrogate. Surrogacy is a serious endeavor, and it’s important for the intended parents to feel 100% comfortable with their agency and the surrogacy process.

Family Creations: Providing Options for All Kinds of Families

Family Creations is an egg donation and surrogacy agency based in California with satellite offices in San Francisco, Austin, Seattle, Atlanta, and Des Moines. Our client options are designed to help as many people as possible achieve their dreams of starting a family and we take pride in our comprehensive, up-to-date database of qualified surrogates and egg donors. Contact us today to learn more.

by Julia McConnell | Posted on : June 26, 2023