Surrogacy Timeline: How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take for Intended Parents?

Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the earliest and most important decisions intended parents make. The agency may remain involved through surrogate matching, screening coordination, legal timing, insurance review, pregnancy communication, travel planning, and preparation for delivery.

Intended parents researching surrogacy agencies in Los Angeles will find national programs, smaller local agencies, fertility practices with related services, and agencies offering different levels of support. Websites may appear similar, but the experience of working with each agency can be very different.

The right fit is not necessarily the largest agency, the closest office, or the agency promising the shortest wait. Intended parents should understand who will manage their case, how potential surrogates are evaluated, what the fees cover, and how the agency responds when a journey does not follow the expected plan.

Asking specific questions during consultations can help you compare Los Angeles surrogacy agencies based on their actual processes rather than general promises.

What Should Parents Consider Before Comparing Surrogacy Agencies?

Before scheduling consultations, think about what you already have in place and where you may need the most support.

Some intended parents already have embryos in storage and are ready to begin surrogate matching. Others are still choosing a fertility clinic, considering egg donation, or trying to understand the expected cost. International intended parents may need additional help with travel, translation, scheduling, and local coordination. Los Angeles is a major hub for third-party reproduction, so intended parents often find many agency and clinic options in this market, and California is widely seen as one of the best places in the world for this path to family building.

Consider your priorities in areas such as:

• Your current fertility clinic and embryo status
• Egg or sperm donor needs
• Preferred timing
• Surrogate matching preferences
• Communication expectations
• Budget and financial planning
• Travel or translation needs
• LGBTQ+ family-building experience
• International coordination
• Privacy or concierge support
• The amount of guidance you want throughout the process

An agency consultation should begin with your circumstances. It should not assume that every intended parent enters surrogacy at the same stage or needs the same type of support.

1. Who Will Manage Our Surrogacy Journey?

One of the most useful questions intended parents can ask is who will be responsible for their case after the contract is signed, and who will coordinate legal, medical, and emotional support during the surrogacy process for clients.

Some agencies use a team-based structure in which intended parents communicate with different departments for matching, legal coordination, pregnancy support, and financial questions. Others provide one primary case manager who remains involved throughout the journey with personalized coordination.

Neither structure is automatically right or wrong, but intended parents should know what to expect.

Ask:

• Will we have one primary point of contact?
• When will that person become involved?
• Will our contact change after matching or pregnancy?
• How frequently will we receive updates?
• Who responds when our regular case manager is unavailable?
• Who should we contact with an urgent or time-sensitive concern?

Pay attention to whether the agency can clearly explain its communication process. Consistency becomes especially important because comprehensive support throughout the surrogacy journey depends on clear case management when several professionals are involved and intended parents are waiting for medical, legal, or screening updates.

2. How Are Potential Surrogates Reviewed Before We See a Profile?

The word “screened” can mean different things depending on the agency and the stage of the process.

An agency may complete a preliminary review before showing a potential surrogate’s profile. That review could include pregnancy history, previous delivery records, age, general health, lifestyle factors, location, support system, transportation, medical history, background checks, and willingness to complete additional evaluations.

However, an agency’s preliminary review is not the same as final medical clearance from the intended parents’ fertility clinic.

Ask the agency to explain:

• Which qualifications are reviewed before a profile is presented?
• Have pregnancy and delivery records been collected?
• Has a background review been completed?
• Have medical and psychological evaluations been completed as part of the screening process before matching, or are they done later for clearance?
• Has insurance been reviewed?
• Which steps remain after a match?
• Who determines final medical eligibility?

Agencies may also review social factors, and some programs include home visits as part of a thorough screening process.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides professional recommendations concerning the screening, evaluation, and counseling of gestational surrogates and intended parents. Prospective surrogates should meet ASRM and FDA screening standards, and agencies may conduct legal, medical, psychological, and social screenings; this comprehensive review supports safety and preparedness for all parties and can contribute to high success rates.

A transparent agency should distinguish between completed legal, medical, and psychological screening steps, what still needs to happen, and how those stages affect success rates.

3. How Does the Surrogate Matching Process Work?

Surrogate matching should involve more than sending intended parents a profile based on availability; agencies should facilitate matching by considering compatibility factors for intended parents and surrogates.

The agency should learn about the intended parents’ communication preferences, family-building history, location, timing, privacy needs, and hopes for the relationship. It should also understand the potential surrogate’s expectations and preferences before recommending an introduction. Matching timelines vary between surrogacy agencies based on availability and compatibility. Many intended parents want meaningful input throughout this stage.

Ask:

• How do you determine which profiles to share?
• How much input will we have?
• Does the surrogate also choose whether to meet us?
• How are communication and relationship expectations evaluated?
• What happens during the first match conversation?
• How much time does each side have to decide?
• What happens if either side does not feel comfortable continuing?

Both parties should willingly agree to the match. Intended parents and surrogates should not feel pressured to continue because a profile has been presented or an introduction has occurred, especially because this is a deeply personal relationship.

4. What Happens if a Potential Match Does Not Continue?

Not every introduction becomes a final match, and not every match proceeds to embryo transfer.

A potential surrogate may not receive medical clearance. The intended parents or surrogate may decide the fit is not right. Personal circumstances, clinic findings, insurance concerns, or scheduling issues may also affect the process.

Before signing with an agency, ask:

• What happens if we decline a potential match?
• What happens if the surrogate decides not to continue?
• What happens if the fertility clinic does not provide medical clearance?
• Is additional matching included?
• Are there limits on rematching?
• Would we be responsible for additional agency fees?
• Which completed expenses are refundable or nonrefundable?

The goal is not to expect something to go wrong. It is to understand the process before you are making decisions during an emotional or time-sensitive situation.

5. What Is Included in the Agency Fee?

Surrogacy involves several separate cost categories, and agencies vary widely in both cost and support services, so the agency fee is only one part of the overall budget.

Ask for a written explanation of what the agency fee covers. Depending on the agency, it may include recruiting, preliminary application review, surrogate matching, case management, appointment coordination, communication support, travel assistance, and birth planning. Intended parents should also request an itemized budget breakdown and clear, upfront information about all expected costs.

Also ask which services require separate payment. Some agencies may assist with financial timing or payment planning, but they should still be transparent about what is and is not included.

Those expenses may include:

• Surrogate compensation and benefits
• IVF and fertility clinic services
• Egg or sperm donation
• Medical and psychological screening
• Independent attorneys
• Escrow administration
• Insurance review and coverage
• Travel and lodging
• Pregnancy-related expenses
• Additional transfers or rematching

Surrogacy is a major financial commitment, often costing over $100,000 in total. Agency fees usually range from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the services offered. These fees cover important tasks like finding and screening surrogates, matching you with a carrier, managing your case, coordinating communication, and helping with travel and birth planning. However, agency fees are only part of the total cost, which also includes surrogate pay, medical bills, legal fees, and insurance. When choosing an agency, ask for a clear list of what their fees cover and any extra costs you might face. Knowing all the details upfront helps you budget and avoid surprises during your surrogacy journey.

Ask when each fee is due and which expenses may change. If the agency provides an estimated total, find out what assumptions were used and which services are excluded.

Global Surrogacy Services provides additional information about common categories on our Surrogacy Cost and Planning page.

6. How Are Escrow and Surrogacy Funds Handled?

Intended parents should understand where journey funds will be held, who can authorize payments, and how disbursements are documented.

Under California Family Code Sections 7960-7962, a nonattorney surrogacy facilitator must direct client funds to an independent, bonded escrow company or an attorney trust account. The law also limits a facilitator’s financial relationship with an escrow company holding client funds.

Ask:

• Which escrow provider will hold the funds?
• Is the escrow provider independent?
• When must the account be funded?
• Who authorizes payments?
• How will we receive statements?
• What happens if an expense is disputed?
• Which payments are managed outside escrow?

The agency can help coordinate financial timing, but it should be able to clearly explain the role of the independent escrow provider.

7. How Will Insurance Be Reviewed?

Insurance can affect both the expected budget and the planning required before pregnancy.

A surrogate’s existing policy may or may not provide usable maternity coverage for a surrogate pregnancy. Some cases require a separate policy or other coverage planning. Intended parents also need to understand how medical expenses for the newborn and baby after birth will be handled.

Ask:

• Who reviews the surrogate’s insurance policy?
• When does the review occur?
• Will an insurance specialist provide written findings?
• What happens if the existing policy cannot be used?
• How are additional premiums or coverage costs estimated?
• Who helps monitor enrollment deadlines or policy changes?
• How are newborn expenses addressed?

An agency should coordinate with an experienced insurance professional rather than make coverage guarantees.

8. How Does the Agency Coordinate With Attorneys?

The intended parents and gestational surrogate should receive independent legal representation, and California surrogacy requires separate counsel for both intended parents and surrogates. The agency may provide referrals and help manage timing, but it should not replace either party’s attorney.

California law requires intended parents and the gestational surrogate to be represented by separate independent attorneys before executing the gestational surrogacy agreement. Independent legal representation is required in California surrogacy agreements, and legal contracts must be completed before scheduling a surrogacy cycle so parentage and any issues involving the child are addressed before injectable medication begins in preparation for an embryo transfer or the transfer occurs.

California offers clear parental rights for intended parents, but agencies still must adhere to state and federal laws for legal compliance.

Ask:

• When will attorneys become involved?
• May we choose our own attorney?
• Will the surrogate select independent counsel?
• Who tracks contract progress?
• How is parentage planning coordinated?
• What legal support may be needed before delivery?
• Does the agency have experience coordinating cases involving another state or country?

The agency should know when legal work needs to happen while leaving legal advice and representation to the attorneys.

9. How Will the Agency Work With Our Fertility Clinic?

If you already have a fertility clinic, ask whether the agency can work with that team. Most agencies coordinate with a network of fertility clinics, but you should still be free to compare options and choose the right IVF clinic for your situation.

The fertility clinic is responsible for medical treatment, including embryo creation using intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm, medical screening, medication protocols, and embryo transfer. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is transferred to the surrogate’s uterus so she can carry the pregnancy. The agency helps coordinate information and timing around that care.

Ask:

• Can we continue working with our current clinic?
• Who sends records and match information to the clinic?
• Who tracks the surrogate’s medical screening?
• How are clinic updates communicated?
• Who confirms that medical and legal clearances are complete?
• What happens if the clinic requests additional records or testing?
• Can the agency also help coordinate egg donation if needed?

An agency should be able to explain the boundaries between agency coordination and medical care.

10. What Support Does the Surrogate Receive?

The way an agency supports surrogates directly affects the overall relationship and experience.

A gestational surrogate makes a significant physical, emotional, medical, and scheduling commitment. Support should begin during the application and matching process and continue throughout pregnancy and recovery. A committed agency may also help the surrogate manage scheduling and communication during early medication phases, including first-trimester hormonal medications when applicable.

Ask whether the agency helps with:

• Appointment coordination
• Travel arrangements
• Reimbursement questions
• Escrow communication
• Pregnancy updates
• Communication with intended parents
• Access to appropriate emotional support
• Birth planning
• Postpartum follow-up
• Final reimbursements and administrative needs

Intended parents should also ask who the surrogate contacts when she has a question or concern. A well-supported surrogate should have her own clear line of communication with the agency to support her health and well-being.

11. What Communication Can We Expect During the Journey?

Waiting without information can be one of the most difficult parts of surrogacy for intended parents and other parties involved in the journey. Even when there is no major update, intended parents should know when they can expect communication.

Ask:

• How often will our case manager contact us?
• Will updates be provided by phone, email, text, or a portal?
• How quickly does the team answer questions?
• Who communicates appointment results?
• How are concerns between the surrogate and intended parents addressed?
• What support is available outside normal business hours?
• Will the communication process change after pregnancy is established?

Specific answers provide more useful information than general promises about excellent communication.

12. Does the Agency Understand Our Specific Support Needs?

Intended parents come to surrogacy from different locations, medical histories, family structures, and life circumstances, including sexual orientation.

An LGBTQ+ couple may need support connecting egg donation, embryo creation, matching, and parentage planning for their future family. International intended parents may need additional coordination around travel, translation, time zones, documentation, and delivery. Intended parents with demanding schedules or privacy concerns may need more hands-on logistical support as they plan for the future.

Ask whether the agency has experience supporting intended parents with needs similar to yours. The conversation should feel respectful and practical as you move on your path to parenthood, without requiring you to repeatedly explain or defend your family structure.

Does a Los Angeles Surrogacy Agency Need to Be Local?

A Beverly Hills or Los Angeles office can provide convenient access to in-person consultations and familiarity with local fertility, legal, and birth-planning resources. However, an agency’s address does not tell you everything about its services.

Potential surrogates may live elsewhere in California or another state. Intended parents may also work with a fertility clinic outside Los Angeles. The agency should be able to explain how it coordinates across locations and how geography may affect travel, medical care, legal planning, and delivery.

When comparing local and national agencies, consider:

• Who will manage your case
• How accessible that person will be
• The agency’s experience with California journeys
• Where potential surrogates are located
• How travel is coordinated
• Whether local appointments or meetings are available
• How birth planning is handled when the surrogate lives elsewhere

The right choice depends more on the quality and consistency of the support than the size of the agency.

Are There Warning Signs Intended Parents Should Notice?

Surrogacy includes medical outcomes, legal requirements, financial obligations, and personal relationships that no agency can fully control, so intended parents should still look for an experienced team with a solid track record.

Be cautious if an agency:

• Guarantees a pregnancy, birth, medical clearance, or exact timeline
• Cannot clearly explain what screening has been completed, including whether only a small percentage of applicants are approved after review, as some top agencies select just the top 3-5% of surrogate candidates
• Pressures you to accept a potential match
• Provides unclear or incomplete fee information
• Cannot explain what happens if a match does not continue
• Discourages independent legal representation
• Makes medical or insurance promises outside its role
• Cannot identify who will manage your case
• Avoids questions about surrogate support
• Promises that the journey will be easy or free of unexpected changes

A credible agency should be comfortable explaining both its services and the limits of what it can promise, and agencies with solid track records provide consistent support.

Choosing a Beverly Hills Surrogacy Agency

Global Surrogacy Services is a smaller California surrogacy agency based in Beverly Hills. Our size allows us to remain closely involved because surrogacy is deeply personal, clients often value continuity, and we provide intended parents with one dedicated case manager from the first conversation through delivery and beyond.

We help intended parents understand surrogate matching, screening coordination, cost planning, donor needs, legal timing, insurance, pregnancy communication, travel, and preparation for delivery. We also support the broader fertility journey, including coordination when intended parents are using donor eggs or working through IVF steps such as egg retrieval, and we work with fertility clinics, attorneys, escrow providers, and other independent professionals responsible for their respective parts of the process. Our agency is committed to helping intended parents, their partner when applicable, and other involved parties prepare for a healthy pregnancy and the birth of their child.

Our team supports clients in Los Angeles, California, throughout the state, across the United States, and international clients.

You do not need to have embryos created or every decision made before contacting us. Schedule a consultation with Global Surrogacy Services to discuss where you are in the process, the support you need, and the questions you still want answered.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Surrogacy Agency

Should intended parents speak with more than one surrogacy agency?

Comparing more than one agency can help intended parents understand differences in communication, fees, screening, matching, and case support. Use the same core questions during each consultation so you can compare the answers more accurately.

Do intended parents need embryos before choosing an agency?

Not always. Some intended parents begin agency research before choosing a fertility clinic or creating embryos. Others wait until embryos are in storage. The appropriate timing depends on your medical circumstances, donor needs, and family-building plan.

Is a local surrogacy agency better than a national agency?

Not automatically. A local agency may provide easier access to in-person support and California-specific coordination, while a larger national agency may offer a different team structure or broader reach. Intended parents should compare who will manage their case, how support is delivered, and whether the agency’s process fits their needs.

Can a surrogacy agency provide legal or medical advice?

A surrogacy agency can help coordinate the process, but medical advice should come from qualified healthcare professionals and legal advice should come from each party’s independent attorney.

What should intended parents bring to an agency consultation?

You may want to bring information about your fertility clinic, embryo status, donor needs, preferred timing, budget questions, location, communication preferences, and the type of relationship you hope to have with a surrogate. You do not need to have every answer before the consultation.