Complete Surrogacy Process Guide
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How Much Can You Earn as a Surrogate?
At Physician’s Surrogacy, we believe that your time, commitment, and compassion should be recognized in a meaningful way.
Surrogacy is life-changing — for the family you help and for you.
As a first-time surrogate, you can earn between $55,000 and $75,000 in base pay depending on your state. With bonuses and benefits, your total compensation can reach $95,000+.
You’ll even receive a $1,200 pre-screening bonus just for getting started.
Ready to Start Your Surrogacy Journey?
When Do Surrogates Get Paid?
Surrogates at Physicians Surrogacy receive compensation throughout the journey — not just at the end.
Here’s how it works:
Pre-Screening Bonus:
You’ll receive a $1,200 bonus early in the process, after completing the initial pre-screening steps.
Monthly Payments:
Once legal contracts are signed, you’ll begin receiving monthly compensation to support you throughout your pregnancy.
Final Payment:
After the baby is delivered, you’ll receive the remaining balance of your base compensation and any applicable bonuses.
Two- Time Surrogate with Physician's Surrogacy
Listen to our 2-time Surrogate, Devon, who loves helping other families experience the joy of parenthood. Devon explains how she found out about us, what her journey was like and why she decided to become a Surrogate for a second time.
See If You Qualify — It Only Takes 2 Minutes
What’s Included When You Become a Surrogate With Physicians Surrogacy
Surrogacy isn’t just about compensation — it’s about being supported, respected, and cared for throughout your entire journey. Here’s what you’ll receive as a surrogate with us:
Top Compensation Package
Earn up to $95,000+ as a surrogate — one of the highest- paying programs in the U.S.
$1,200 Pre-Screening Bonus
Get rewarded early in the process — just for getting started.
Monthly Allowances During Pregnancy
Receive consistent support throughout your pregnancy, including a maternity clothing allowance and other benefits.
All Medical, Legal & Travel Expenses Covered
You’ll never pay out of pocket for anything related to the surrogacy process.
Professional Support from Start to Finish
We’re physician-managed — so your care is coordinated by real medical experts, not just a matching agency.
A Chance to Change Lives
Help grow families and keep making an impact by referring others or sharing your story.
Not Ready to Become a Surrogate? Become an Advocate
Whether you’ve been a surrogate or simply believe in the power of surrogacy, you can still help create families by referring someone who would make a great f it.
Through the Physician’s Surrogacy Referral Program, you can help another woman begin her journey — and receive a reward when she completes hers.
Be an Advocate
Support our mission to change lives and create families. Every referral helps someone take the first step.
Earn Up to $1,000 Per Referral
Get rewarded for every successful referral — our way of saying thank you for making an impact.
Need more information?
General Information About Surrogacy | Physician Surrogacy
Yes. We believe single mothers are just as capable of being Surrogates as a married woman. If you are single, it is very important that you have some type of support system in place. You should assure it prior to committing to any Surrogate program.
Whether you have insurance or not, the Intended Parents will purchase Surrogate-specific insurance for you. The plan lasts for the duration of your pregnancy. Our accounting department will be handling all medical bills.
If you are uncertain about the laws in your state regarding surrogacy, please fill out an application. Then, you will see for yourself whether you would qualify based on the state you live in. You will get a response instantly after submitting your application.
- Surrogacy is a medical process, which is why we believe that you should have full medical support during your pregnancy. While other agencies are managed by previous Surrogates or past Intended Parents, we are an OB managed agency. Former Surrogates and past Intended Parents may understand the emotional aspects of surrogacy. However, they often lack the clinical background and business skills to manage the complexities of a pregnancy process.
- We pay the highest compensation for first-time Surrogates in the industry. Many other agencies advertise high compensation amounts. However, you will find out after going through their application process that the advertised amount is not what you will be getting in hand. We are very transparent about the compensation structure. We make sure that you understand from the beginning what your financial situation will be during this journey with us. Transparency is crucial when it comes to money, and our approach gives you financial clarity from the start.
Your name and your husband/spouse’s name will NOT be on the birth certificate. The Intended Parents will be the ones who will have full parental rights to the baby. Thus, it will be their names that appear on the birth certificate.
Your name and your husband/spouse’s name will NOT be on the birth certificate. The Intended Parents will be the ones who will have full parental rights to the baby. Thus, it will be their names that appear on the birth certificate.
Process of Surrogate’s Pregnancy | Physician Surrogacy
In most cases, long-distance travel will only be required for medical screening and embryo transfer, during the initial stages of the fertility treatment. Once you are near the end of your first trimester, you will be released to your local OB doctor who will continue your medical care throughout the rest of your pregnancy. The location you will be required to travel to will be determined by the clinic location your intended parents have selected to store their embryos.
The intended parents that you are matched with will pay any traveling expenses related to your surrogacy.
Our Surrogate mothers need to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of the life that is growing inside of them. During this process, we ask you to stay in regular communication with us and inform us of any appointments or pregnancy-related questions.
- Initially, we will arrange for a preliminary blood work screening at a facility near your home.
- Once you have successfully passed the initial blood work screening, the next step will be a comprehensive medical screening which will include a pelvic exam, ultrasound, additional blood work, and cultures for sexually transmitted diseases and toxic substances. If applicable, you will be given lab orders for your partner to also have blood work screening for STDs and toxic substances.
- Once medically, psychologically and legally cleared, an IVF cycle calendar will then be created with important dates and prescription medications. Our physician’s office will go over in detail the names of the medications, instructions on use, and side effects. It is important to note that once injections begin, the surrogate must abstain from sexual intercourse. During the cycle, but prior to the actual embryo transfer, you will be required to go to the doctor’s office for vaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork at least one to two times per week. It is vital that you attend these appointments and take the medications as instructed by your physician.
- The embryo transfer happens approximately four weeks after the start of injectable medications. The transfer itself is about a ten-minute procedure. The embryos are placed in fluid in a syringe with a small catheter tube. The catheter is put through the cervix and into the uterus where the embryo is transferred. You will be required to be on bed rest for 24-72 hours depending on the physician’s protocol. While on bed rest, it is important to remain calm and still to give the embryos the best possible chance for taking. Follow up appointments for blood work between the transfer and the pregnancy test will occur to monitor hormone levels.
- A pregnancy blood test will be done twelve to fourteen days after the transfer depending on how the calendar falls. There will be two blood tests and a heartbeat ultrasound to verify a positive pregnancy. Once you are pregnant you will continue your medications to ensure that the pregnancy will continue to grow. Once the pregnancy is stable (around 10-12 weeks) you will be instructed to stop the medications and begin to see your personal OB doctor for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Our agency makes sure that the power of attorneys is in place, well before the birth of the baby. This power of attorney gives a Newborn Care Nanny the legal guardianship rights and care for the baby until the Intended Parents are able to pick up the child. With the power of attorneys in place, Physician’s Surrogacy ensures that the Surrogates will never have to care for the baby after giving birth under any circumstances.
During the initial screening process, we will require a background check of anyone over the age of 18 that lives in your household. If you are married, both you and your spouse will need to sign the acceptance agreement. Also, we will be including it in your legal contract. During the medical screening process, your partner/spouse will have to provide a blood and urine sample. Your partner will play a significant role as part of your support team during your surrogacy journey.
The amount of contact varies case by case. Contact is determined by the Surrogate Mother and the Intended Parent(s)’s preferences identified during the matching process. Some cultures are a little more closed off than others; however, the relationship and communication develops as the journey progresses.
Medical Care During My Pregnancy | Physician Surrogacy
Yes, provided that your OB accepts the health insurance utilized for the pregnancy. Together, you and the Intended Parents will decide upon the physician that cares for you during pregnancy. Many Surrogates use the physician that delivered their own children.
Yes! You can still fulfill the qualifications for gestational surrogacy. The process does not use fallopian tubes. Instead, the embryo(s) are placed directly into the Surrogate’s uterus during the embryo transfer phase.
After the first trimester, your physician will release you to your local OB doctor. Your local OB will oversee your medical care for the remainder of your pregnancy. If you need a new OB doctor, then we can provide you with recommendations. You will be able to deliver at a hospital that is local to you.
Surrogacy has the same risks as a regular pregnancy. There are no additional risks with a Surrogate pregnancy. Given that, please consult with your OB to talk about normal pregnancy risks.
Our BMI requirement is 32 but if you are close to it, we are happy to assist with weight loss support. The Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has established guidelines on Surrogate BMI (below 34) to reduce the risk of complications or Gestational Diabetes. Most IVF centers also have their own BMI requirements, which typically range from 28 – 34.
Gestational Surrogates need to prepare their bodies for the embryo transfer. You will require injections in order to help your uterus accept the embryo. The medical team will help you throughout your injectable period by providing a calendar with a clear timetable and dosages. Generally, you will have to take the injections through the first trimester.
Type of Compensation Structure | Physician Surrogacy
No, the Surrogate Mother does not bear any cost of this process. The Intended Parents will pay for and handle all the medical expenses, Surrogate Mother benefits, legal fees, and travel expenses.
Employed Surrogates may be entitled to lost wages through the state. We realize this may be a factor. So, we have decided to include a stipend for lost wages at the outset. We believe whether you need it or not, the money should be there. Also, we leave it up to you how to best allocate those funds. Should you need to file with the EDD, we leave that to your discretion. Although your compensation package includes lost wages, this does not preclude you from filing directly with EDD for lost wage benefits.
All funds related to your surrogacy will be held in a trust account that is managed by or an experienced escrow company, so that all monies due for your Surrogate fees and reimbursement of related expenses are paid in a timely manner. All financial matters will be handled by the surrogacy agency, removing this component from your relationship with the Intended Parents.
- What are the advantages of this type of compensation structure?
This compensation structure fosters a groundbreaking concept in which all parties mutually benefit.
- For Surrogates:
Our Surrogates receive more payment with a fixed compensation package than with a line item package.
Surrogates are paid more upfront during the beginning of their journey. In most cases, our Surrogates can earn $4-5k+ even before confirmation of pregnancy (COP).
Less tedious paperwork: we eliminate the need for submitting miscellaneous expenses such as childcare, mileage, pay stubs and instead entrust you with the reimbursement of your expenses.
- For Intended Parents:
Straightforward compensation – they know upfront what they will have to pay and can plan accordingly. Takes into consideration the additional expenses incurred such as travel and monitoring expenses in different regions.
To be considered employed, you must have a gross annual income of $15,000. Employment is verified by pay stubs and/or a tax return.
- Once you complete your online application, a Surrogate coordinator will contact you to discuss the surrogacy journey in more detail. He/She will provide you with a more detailed explanation of our compensation package. You will find the general compensation information on this page.
- Our compensation structure ensures our Surrogates receive an absolute, fixed amount as their payment. We want prospective Surrogates to learn all facets of the journey. They should also know that their unique situation will translate to a clear, financial end result.
For local Surrogates, travel and other expenses are much less for the Intended Parents. It is because of the proximity of the local Surrogates to our Southern California location. Additionally, as does the cost of living, average surrogacy compensation also varies greatly from state to state.