For intended parents seeking a surrogate to carry their child, it's a great time to explore third-party reproduction through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Whether you're a same-sex couple, a single parent by choice, or someone who is unable to carry a pregnancy to term, gestational surrogacy paired with modern assisted reproductive technology makes it possible to bring your child into the world.
Navigating the logistical, medical, and legal implications of surrogacy can be overwhelming. Below, we've outlined what to look for in a surrogacy agency and hand-selected the top agencies in the U.S. to help you get started.
Intended parents located outside of the U.S. must often turn to U.S.-based agencies due to legal considerations. For domestic intended parents, your surrogate may reside in California or another surrogate-friendly state due to the state's family-building-friendly laws. If you're located outside of the U.S. and pursuing surrogacy, connect with different agencies to understand the travel requirements — including key appointments like the 16-week ultrasound and the birth of your child.
Surrogacy is a significant financial investment. Look for an agency that provides transparent, comprehensive pricing packages, payment plans, loan financing, and other financial guidance. Your treatment should be sensitive to your financial constraints while being realistic about the scope of care involved.
Most surrogacy agencies maintain a network of fertility clinics and reproductive endocrinologists to streamline the medical and logistical processes involved. Ask agencies about their IVF clinic partnerships and research those clinics' success rates thoroughly.
Not all surrogate screenings are created equal. Look for an agency that conducts rigorous legal, medical, psychological, and social screenings to ensure candidates are well prepared and medically cleared to carry your child. The quality of the screening process directly impacts the success of your journey.
Consider both the quality and size of an agency's surrogate database. Some agencies are highly selective, accepting only the top 1–5% of applicants. Look for an agency whose surrogates meet your standards while keeping budget considerations in mind.
Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions intended parents will make. Rather than ranking agencies based solely on size, popularity or years in business, we focused on the factors that have the greatest impact on the safety, support and overall experience of a surrogacy journey.
Each agency was evaluated using publicly available information, including agency websites, published policies, available educational resources and services. Where possible, we also considered insights from fertility professionals who regularly work alongside surrogacy agencies, including reproductive attorneys, IVF specialists and other industry partners.
Our evaluation was based on the following criteria:
|
Evaluation criteria |
Weight |
Why it matters |
|
Surrogate screening & qualification |
25% |
A thorough medical, psychological, legal and background screening process helps ensure surrogates are well prepared for the journey, reducing risks for everyone involved. |
|
Parent support & journey coordination |
20% |
We assessed the level of guidance provided throughout the process, including dedicated coordinators, communication, education and coordination with fertility clinics and legal professionals. |
|
Legal & ethical standards |
20% |
We looked for agencies that prioritise ethical practices, independent legal representation, transparent agreements and appropriate financial safeguards. |
|
Transparency of pricing & process |
15% |
Intended parents should have a clear understanding of costs, timelines, services included and what to expect throughout their journey. |
|
Experience & expertise |
10% |
We considered agency history, leadership experience and demonstrated expertise within third-party reproduction. |
|
Journey compatibility |
10% |
We recognised agencies that support a wide range of intended parents, including LGBTQ+ couples, single parents, international families and those requiring egg donation alongside surrogacy. |
Important note: Every intended parent's circumstances are different, and there is no single "best" surrogacy agency for everyone. Our evaluation is intended to help readers compare agencies using consistent criteria and identify the providers that may best suit their individual needs and family-building goals.
|
Agency |
Surrogate Screening & Qualification (25%) |
Parent Support & Journey Coordination (20%) |
Legal & Ethical Standards (20%) |
Transparency of Pricing & Process (15%) |
Experience & Expertise (10%) |
Journey Compatibility (10%) |
|
Hatch Fertility |
Highly selective screening (top 5% accepted) |
Dedicated end-to-end case management |
Comprehensive third-party legal and financial coordination |
Clear, structured journey guidance |
30+ years' experience |
LGBTQ+, egg donation, surrogacy, domestic & international |
|
The Fertility Agency |
Comprehensive screening |
Highly personalised support |
Works closely with legal professionals |
Personalised guidance throughout the process |
20+ years' experience |
Egg donation and surrogacy |
|
Circle Surrogacy |
Rigorous screening |
Comprehensive case management |
Established legal and clinical partnerships |
Structured programmes and education |
Nearly 30 years' experience |
Strong international programmes |
|
Same Love Surrogacy |
Comprehensive screening |
Personalised support from founders with lived experience |
Coordinated legal and clinical support |
Personalised guidance throughout |
25+ years combined experience |
LGBTQ+, diverse family building |
|
ConceiveAbilities |
Highly selective surrogate network |
Matching Matters® programme |
Full-service coordination |
Guided matching and journey support |
Nearly 30 years' experience |
Egg donation and surrogacy |
|
Growing Generations |
Top 1% of surrogate applicants |
Dedicated coordinators |
Comprehensive legal coordination |
Structured programme management |
Nearly 30 years' experience |
LGBTQ+ family-building specialists |
|
IARC Surrogacy |
Comprehensive screening |
Personalised case management |
Attorney-led legal expertise |
Financial and insurance guidance |
35+ years' experience |
Surrogacy-only journeys |
|
Roots Surrogacy |
Comprehensive screening |
Boutique, personalised support |
Founded by reproductive attorney |
Hands-on guidance throughout |
Experienced leadership |
LGBTQ+, international & boutique care |
|
American Surrogacy |
Comprehensive screening |
Nationwide case management |
Full legal and financial coordination |
Structured process and communication |
National agency |
Nationwide surrogacy support |
|
Elevate Baby |
Rigorous screening of surrogates and donors with global recruitment |
Concierge-level personalised case management |
SEEDS and ASRM member with strong ethical focus |
Clear, concierge-led process with transparent guidance |
Founded by intended parents with a team including former surrogates, donors and intended parents |
International families, egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy |
|
Ivy Surrogacy |
Comprehensive medical, psychological and background screening |
Dedicated case management with personalised matching |
SEEDS member with coordinated legal and medical support |
Transparent fee structure and guided process |
Founded in 2016 with leadership from IVF, nursing and fertility professionals |
LGBTQ+, international and multilingual support, egg donation and surrogacy |
|
Northwest Surrogacy Center |
Comprehensive medical, psychological and legal screening |
Dedicated journey coordinators throughout the process |
Attorney-founded agency with strong ethical framework |
Clear, structured surrogacy process |
30+ years' experience (est. 1994) |
Supports a diverse range of intended parents through gestational surrogacy |
Founded in 1991 (formerly the Egg Donation & Surrogacy Program), Hatch Fertility was the first egg donor agency established in the United States and has connected intended parents, egg donors, and surrogates for over 30 years.
Hatch stood out in our evaluation for its exceptionally selective surrogate screening process, accepting only around 5% of applicants. Every surrogate undergoes comprehensive medical, psychological, legal and background screening before being matched, helping intended parents begin their journey with confidence.
The agency also scored highly for parent support, with every intended parent paired with a dedicated case manager who manages each stage of the process—from matching and IVF coordination to legal milestones, financial management and birth planning. The Hatch team is made up of Intended Parents, former Surrogates and egg donors members of the Hatch team are former surrogates or egg donors themselves, providing first-hand insight and support throughout the journey.
With more than 30 years of experience, Hatch has developed strong relationships with leading fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and mental health professionals across the United States. Unlike any other agency, we have some of the most unique and curated matching processes, with a dedicated match team. With many intended parents returning for sibling journeys with the same surrogate—a reflection of the relationships and trust built throughout the process.
Website | hatch.us
Location | Los Angeles, California
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | First-time, LGBTQ+ or international intended parents seeking a highly personalised, all encompassing journey with end to end support from experienced case managers.
Founded in 2004, The Fertility Agency (TFA) is one of the longest-established family-building agencies in the United States, helping intended parents navigate both surrogacy and egg donation journeys with a personalised approach. Founded by individuals with first-hand experience of infertility, the agency has helped create more than 1,100 families over the past two decades.
The Fertility Agency scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support and journey coordination. Every intended parent receives personalised guidance throughout the process, from selecting a surrogate and coordinating with fertility clinics to navigating legal milestones and preparing for birth. The agency places a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships, ensuring intended parents feel supported throughout every stage of their journey.
TFA also stood out for its experienced team and commitment to personalised matching. Every member of staff has personally experienced, supported or expects to experience fertility challenges, bringing a unique level of empathy and understanding to the family-building process. Combined with its long-standing relationships with fertility professionals and reproductive attorneys, this collaborative approach helps create well-supported matches for intended parents and surrogates alike.
Website | thefertilityagency.com
Location | Los Angeles, California
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | Intended parents looking for a highly personalised matching experience and compassionate, hands-on support.
Founded in 1995, Circle Surrogacy is one of the most established surrogacy agencies in the United States, helping intended parents from across the U.S. and around the world grow their families through gestational surrogacy. Founded by attorney John Weltman, a father through surrogacy himself, the agency has decades of experience supporting families with a wide range of backgrounds and family-building goals.
Circle Surrogacy scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support and journey coordination. Intended parents are supported by dedicated coordinators throughout every stage of the process, from matching and fertility treatment to legal coordination, pregnancy milestones and birth. The agency also maintains long-standing relationships with fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and mental health professionals, helping provide a seamless experience throughout the journey.
Circle also stood out for its experience supporting international intended parents and its commitment to rigorous surrogate screening. Combined with one of the nation's largest egg donor databases and comprehensive educational resources, the agency offers intended parents a well-established pathway through both surrogacy and egg donation.
Website | circlesurrogacy.com
Location | Boston, Massachusetts
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | International intended parents seeking an experienced agency with comprehensive, end-to-end support.
Founded by three gay fathers who each built their own families through surrogacy and egg donation, Same Love Surrogacy was created to provide a more inclusive and supportive family-building experience for LGBTQ+ intended parents. Drawing on more than 25 years of combined industry experience, the agency offers personalised guidance while supporting a wide range of intended parents throughout the surrogacy journey.
Same Love Surrogacy scored highly in our evaluation for its journey compatibility and personalised parent support. Intended parents receive dedicated guidance from a team that understands the emotional, legal and practical aspects of surrogacy through both professional expertise and personal experience. The agency works closely with fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and other specialists to help coordinate every stage of the journey.
The agency also stood out for its commitment to surrogate wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive screening, Same Love offers a unique wellness programme that includes services such as acupuncture, nutritional counselling and birth coaching to support surrogates throughout pregnancy. This holistic approach reflects the agency's focus on creating positive experiences for both intended parents and surrogates.
Website | samelovesurrogacy.com
Location | Los Angeles, California
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | LGBTQ+ intended parents seeking personalised guidance from a team with lived experience.
Founded in 1996, ConceiveAbilities is one of the longest-established surrogacy and egg donation agencies in the United States. Over the past three decades, the agency has helped thousands of intended parents grow their families through gestational surrogacy, combining extensive experience with a personalised approach to matching and journey coordination.
ConceiveAbilities scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support and surrogate matching process. Its proprietary Matching Matters® programme is designed to create compatible, long-term matches between intended parents and surrogates, with 97% of intended parents matched with the first surrogate they are introduced to. Throughout the journey, dedicated coordinators work closely with intended parents, fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and other professionals to help ensure every stage of the process runs smoothly.
The agency also stood out for its commitment to surrogate screening and ongoing support. ConceiveAbilities maintains a highly selective surrogate network and provides comprehensive guidance before, during and after pregnancy, creating a supportive experience for both intended parents and surrogates. Combined with nearly 30 years of experience, this focus on quality matching and personalised care has established ConceiveAbilities as one of the leading names in third-party reproduction.
Website | conceiveabilities.com
Location | Chicago, Illinois
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | Intended parents seeking a matching process.
Founded in 1996, Growing Generations was established to help gay men achieve parenthood through surrogacy and has since become one of the most recognised family-building agencies in the United States. Today, the agency supports a diverse range of intended parents while remaining a leader in LGBTQ+ family building and assisted reproduction.
Growing Generations scored highly in our evaluation for its experience, journey compatibility and parent support. With nearly three decades of experience, the agency provides comprehensive guidance throughout every stage of the surrogacy journey, including matching, fertility treatment coordination, legal processes and ongoing communication. Intended parents are supported by experienced coordinators working alongside fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and other specialists to help ensure a well-managed journey.
The agency also stood out for its rigorous surrogate screening process, accepting only around 1% of applicants into its programme. Growing Generations has consistently been at the forefront of innovation in third-party reproduction, including helping pioneer family-building opportunities for HIV-positive intended fathers. This commitment to inclusivity, combined with its highly selective surrogate programme and extensive experience, makes it a leading choice for intended parents seeking expert guidance.
Website | growinggenerations.com
Location | Wheeling, West Virginia
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | LGBTQ+ intended parents looking for decades of experience and specialist family-building expertise.
Established in the 1980s, IARC Surrogacy is one of the most experienced surrogacy agencies in the United States, having supported intended parents through gestational surrogacy for more than 35 years. Unlike many agencies that also specialise in egg donation, IARC focuses exclusively on surrogacy, providing tailored support for intended parents who have already secured an egg donor or have embryos ready for transfer.
IARC scored highly in our evaluation for its legal expertise, parent support and journey coordination. Led by reproductive attorney Steven Snyder since 2003, the agency combines decades of legal knowledge with personalised case management, helping intended parents navigate matching, contracts, financial management, insurance and medical coordination. This integrated approach helps simplify what can often be a complex legal and logistical process.
The agency also stood out for its experienced multidisciplinary team, bringing together specialists across legal, medical, financial and emotional support to guide intended parents throughout every stage of their journey. Combined with its long-standing reputation and surrogacy-only focus, IARC offers a highly specialised service for intended parents looking for expert guidance from an experienced team.
Website | iarcsurrogacy.com
Location | Maple Grove, Minnesota
Database | Surrogates only
Best For | Intended parents seeking an experienced, surrogacy-focused agency with comprehensive legal and case management support.
Founded by reproductive attorney Cassie Wright, Roots Surrogacy is a boutique gestational surrogacy agency committed to providing personalised guidance for intended parents and surrogates throughout every stage of the family-building journey. Rather than focusing on high volumes, the agency prioritises building meaningful relationships and delivering tailored support from initial matching through to birth.
Roots Surrogacy scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support, legal expertise and journey coordination. Drawing on founder Cassie Wright's background in reproductive law, the agency provides intended parents with experienced guidance through matching, legal agreements, financial management and communication with fertility clinics and other professionals. This hands-on approach helps create a well-supported and transparent experience throughout the surrogacy process.
The agency also stood out for its commitment to inclusivity and personalised matching. Roots supports intended parents from a wide range of backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ couples, single parents and international families, while maintaining a boutique model that allows for individual attention and close relationships between intended parents, surrogates and the agency team.
Website | rootssurrogacy.com
Location | Lincoln, California
Database | Surrogates only
Best For | Intended parents seeking a boutique, highly personalised surrogacy experience.
Founded in 2016, American Surrogacy is a nationwide gestational surrogacy agency that supports intended parents and surrogates throughout every stage of the family-building journey. The agency combines a national network of surrogates with a full-service approach, helping intended parents navigate the medical, legal and financial aspects of surrogacy from beginning to end.
American Surrogacy scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support and journey coordination. Every intended parent works with dedicated specialists who guide them through matching, fertility clinic coordination, legal milestones, financial management and ongoing communication throughout the pregnancy. The agency also works closely with a nationwide network of fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and mental health professionals to help provide a seamless experience.
The agency also stood out for its commitment to surrogate screening and transparent guidance throughout the surrogacy process. By combining comprehensive screening with structured support for both intended parents and surrogates, American Surrogacy aims to create positive, well-supported matches while helping families navigate what can often be a complex journey with confidence.
Website | americansurrogacy.com
Location | Leawood, Kansas
Database | Surrogates only
Best for | Intended parents seeking a fully managed, nationwide surrogacy journey with dedicated case management.
Founded in 2017, Elevate Baby is a full-service reproductive agency specialising in surrogacy, egg donation and sperm donation. Founded by intended parents who built their own family through egg donation and surrogacy, the agency was created to provide the personalised experience they wished they had received themselves. Today, Elevate Baby supports intended parents from across the United States and internationally through a concierge-style approach to family building.
Elevate Baby scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support and journey coordination. Every intended parent is guided by a dedicated team throughout the surrogacy process, from matching and fertility treatment to legal coordination, pregnancy and birth. The agency places a strong emphasis on personalised service, maintaining a boutique, concierge-level model designed to create a seamless and well-supported experience while working closely with fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys and other reproductive specialists.
The agency also stood out for its journey compatibility and founder-led perspective. Because the founders have personally experienced the challenges of building a family through third-party reproduction, Elevate Baby places a strong focus on empathy, communication and creating meaningful matches between intended parents, surrogates and donors. Combined with its comprehensive surrogacy and donor programmes, this personalised approach makes Elevate Baby a strong option for intended parents seeking a premium, highly tailored experience.
Website | elevatebaby.com
Location | Beverly Hills, California
Database | Egg Donors, Sperm Donors and Surrogates
Best for | Intended parents seeking a boutique, concierge-level surrogacy journey with highly personalised support.
Founded in 2016, Ivy Surrogacy is a full-service surrogacy and egg donation agency that supports intended parents from the United States and around the world. Built by professionals with extensive backgrounds in IVF clinics, nursing, reproductive counselling and fertility case management, the agency combines clinical expertise with highly personalised support throughout the family-building journey.
Ivy Surrogacy scored highly in our evaluation for its parent support, journey coordination and personalised matching process. Every intended parent is paired with a dedicated case manager who provides guidance throughout matching, legal coordination, IVF treatment, pregnancy and delivery. The agency also offers multilingual support, helping families from countries including the UK, Canada, Australia, China and Hong Kong navigate the surrogacy process with confidence.
The agency also stood out for its transparent approach and ethical standards. Rather than charging agency fees upfront, Ivy only collects its agency fee after a surrogate has successfully completed medical and psychological screening. Combined with experienced medical and legal advisors, New York State licensing and membership of the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation & Surrogacy (SEEDS), Ivy provides intended parents with a well-supported and transparent surrogacy experience.
Website | ivysurrogacy.com
Location | Diamond Bar, California
Database | Egg Donors and Surrogates
Best For | International intended parents seeking multilingual support and a personalised, full-service surrogacy journey.
Founded in 1994, Northwest Surrogacy Center is one of the longest-established surrogacy agencies in the United States. Originally founded by attorneys working in adoption and reproductive law, the agency has spent more than three decades helping intended parents grow their families through ethical gestational surrogacy while building long-standing relationships with fertility professionals across the country.
Northwest Surrogacy Center scored highly in our evaluation for its experience, ethical standards and journey coordination. Intended parents receive support throughout matching, medical coordination and the legal process, with the agency focusing on creating collaborative relationships between intended parents and surrogates while helping ensure each journey is carefully managed from beginning to end.
The agency also stood out for its long history within third-party reproduction and its attorney-founded approach to surrogacy. With more than 30 years of experience and a strong emphasis on ethical practices, Northwest Surrogacy Center has established itself as a trusted option for intended parents seeking experienced guidance throughout the surrogacy journey.
Website | nwsurrogacycenter.com
Location | Portland, Oregon
Database | Surrogates only
Best For | Intended parents seeking an experienced, ethics-led surrogacy agency with more than three decades of expertise.
Every intended parent's path is different, and there's no single "best" surrogacy agency — the right fit depends on your unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. The agencies above represent some of the highest-quality options available in the U.S. today.
At PFCLA, we help intended parents considering gestational surrogacy and IVF find the right support along their journey. If you'd like a personalized recommendation tailored to your situation, please contact us.