Become a Parent

Starting Your Journey

Working With Us

We understand that beginning the surrogacy process is both exciting and daunting. We are here to help you navigate the complexities. Our number-one goal is to help you build your family and to make the process as clear and seamless as possible.


We understand that the decision to use a gestational carrier is deeply personal. We are here to provide all the support you need on your path to parenthood, whether you have decided to build your family via surrogacy after a long history of infertility treatment, as two dads, or as a single parent.

Our team understands that every surrogacy arrangement is unique. We are happy to talk to you about your needs, goals and plans for your journey. For more information on our gestational carrier recruitment, screening and matching processes, estimated timelines, legal considerations and please get in touch.

Expertise & Experience

Choosing an Agency

Our team has the necessary experience in the infertility field to make your dreams of becoming a parent a reality. We understand the complex details and moving parts of a gestational carrier arrangement. If you choose to work with San Diego Surrogacy Center, we will provide unparalleled support while guiding you through the matching, legal and medical processes on your path to parenthood.

Building your family via surrogacy is a significant emotional and financial commitment. Choosing an agency to be your partner on this journey is a big decision. We take this responsibility very seriously.

At some agencies, your initial contact may not be with your coordinator. At San Diego Surrogacy Center, you will always talk to your coordinator- from the first contact through delivery. We guarantee your coordinator will have extensive infertility industry expertise, close affiliations with the top reproductive endocrinology practices in the country and personal relationships with attorneys who specialize in reproductive technologies, both nationally and internationally. While many agencies can make these claims about their agency as a whole, not all agencies can make these promises about your specific coordinator. We can.

What is your surrogate screening process?

Our gestational carriers undergo a rigorous screening process before they are offered as a potential match. First, they complete an initial questionnaire. If they appear to be a good candidate, they complete an extensive questionnaire. Then, we conduct an extensive interview to review the questionnaire and to ensure we have a clear understanding of her vision for the surrogacy experience. Getting to know our gestational carriers through the eligibility review process allows us to propose the best possible matches. Collecting her relevant medical records helps avoid foreseeable issues and allows for an efficient post-match process with your clinic. Finally, our gestational carriers and their partners (if they have one) undergo thorough background screenings and insurance review, so we can tell you up front whether her policy would cover a surrogate pregnancy or if a policy needs to be purchased. We are more than happy to coordinate a home study if you so choose.

What is you mutual matching process?

We see the relationship between you and your gestational carrier as the key to a successful surrogacy journey. We communicate extensively with our intended parents and our gestational carriers, focusing on goals and expectations throughout the process. We propose matches only when we believe there is a good fit between you and a potential gestational carrier.

What is your agency fee?

Our agency fee is $30,000. Included in that fee is: recruitment of your gestational carrier, background checks for all parties, insurance review for the gestational carrier, initial medical record review, escrow agent fee for management of the escrow account and round-the-clock support and coordination for you and your gestational carrier throughout the process. We understand that surrogacy arrangements are costly and while budgetary concerns exist, we encourage you to inquire about exactly what services are covered in an agency’s fee and to consider the quality of the gestational carriers available.

How are surrogates compensated and reimbursed?

We contract with an escrow agent to manage all payments (both compensation and reimbursement of expenses) to be paid to your gestational carrier. We want our relationship with you and with your gestational carrier to be exclusively focused on providing the support and assistance needed on your surrogacy journey. The escrow agent’s fees are included in our agency fee.

What kind of communication and support do you provide?

Both intended parents and surrogates can reach us 24/7. We understand and appreciate the unpredictable nature of infertility treatment and pregnancy. We are here for you and your gestational carrier whenever you need us. We also understand that sometimes additional support is needed and we will facilitate getting our intended parents and gestational carrier that support. We do not require anyone to attend regular counseling or support group sessions. AThere is no “standard” gestational carrier or intended parent. We customize our approach to fit your needs and the needs of your gestational carrier throughout the process.

What insurance will my surrogate use?

San Diego Surrogacy Center obtains an insurance review on all potential gestational carriers so we will be able to tell you when we provide you with a profile whether her existing policy will cover a surrogate pregnancy. If her policy will cover the surrogate pregnancy, we will ensure that all pre-authorizations and/or pre-determinations are in place. If her policy will not cover the surrogate pregnancy, we will coordinate obtaining maternity coverage policy for options for your consideration.

What is your agency's expertise?

Your coordinator is guaranteed to have extensive, direct experience in the infertility industry. We understand that the surrogacy experience is not always predictable, but we have the expertise to address any issues that arise and the compassion to provide ongoing support to you and your gestational carrier. Additionally, our center has established relationships with many of the top infertility specialists in the country as well as with attorneys that practice in this area of law, both in the US and internationally.

What Parents & Surrogates Say About Us

Journey to Parenthood

Becoming a Parent

Whether you have already done significant research and are ready to start your surrogacy journey or you are just getting started and the process still feels a bit daunting, we are here to answer your questions, provide support and to ensure that your journey to parenthood is as smooth as possible.

The first step is to schedule a free consultation with our . You can reach us at (619) 738-6652 or by contacting us here. We are happy to complete your consultation by phone, videochat or in person – whatever is easiest and most comfortable for you. During your consultation, we will review the surrogacy process, discuss your plans and expectations, and review the next steps. We will also answer whatever questions you have. This initial consultation usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

Once you decide to work with San Diego Surrogacy Center, the next step is to complete the Intended Parent Questionnaire. We will begin looking for your gestational carrier right away!

Matching

We place enormous emphasis on the “fit” between you and your gestational carrier. We understand how significant this relationship is for you both and only propose matches that we believe will result in a fulfilling surrogacy experience.

All of our gestational carriers are extensively pre-screened before they are offered as a potential match. When you receive a profile, the potential gestational carrier has already completed an extensive questionnaire, participated in a comprehensive telephone interview, provided relevant medical records for initial review, provided her insurance information to check for benefits and has had a criminal background check completed.

Below is an overview of the matching process:

  • We provide you with the profile of a pre-screened, potential gestational carrier.
  • You review the potential surrogate’s profile and the potential gestational carrier reviews your intended parent profile.
  • If everyone agrees it is a good match, we will facilitate a meeting usually via phone or videochat.
  • We will coordinate with your clinic to provide records and necessary information about the match. We will also coordinate scheduling your gestational carrier’s visit to your clinic to meet with your doctor and complete final medical and psychological screenings.
Legal

Once the final medical and psychological screenings are complete, you are ready to work with a lawyer to prepare the surrogacy contract, which will finalize the terms of the arrangement.

  • Your lawyer will prepare the first draft of the contract.
  • We will help your gestational carrier locate a local lawyer who can assist her with contract review and negotiation.
  • Included in your agency fee is the retainer of an independent escrow agent. San Diego Surrogacy Center will engage that escrow agent who will coordinate with you regarding funding of the surrogacy escrow account.
Transfer

We encourage you to talk to your doctor about options for preparing for either a fresh or frozen embryo transfer during the matching phase.

  • We will help your gestational carrier locate a local monitoring clinic and help you set up a billing account.
  • We will facilitate scheduling embryo transfer to your gestational carrier and help her with any travel arrangements necessary.
  • Your gestational carrier will start medications in preparation for transfer.
  • Your gestational carrier will travel to your clinic a couple of days before the planned transfer.
  • After transfer, she may stay a couple of days depending on the recommendations of your doctor.
  • Your gestational carrier will complete her pregnancy test and early pregnancy monitoring at her local monitoring clinic.
  • When your gestational carrier is about 8-9 weeks pregnant, she will start seeing her regular obstetrician.
Support

Our team will continue to provide ongoing support, guidance and whatever else you and your gestational carrier may need throughout the pregnancy. We will stay in close contact with the escrow agent to ensure that disbursements are being properly managed in accordance with the contract. We will check in with you and your gestational carrier regularly to make sure things are progressing well and offer any support or assistance as needed. We will also follow up with the attorneys as the pregnancy progresses to confirm that the necessary paperwork for a pre-birth order is obtained. As your baby’s due date nears, we will contact the hospital to let them know of the impending surrogate birth and request a private room for you to stay in with your baby.

Contact us today to get started.

By appointment only:

1455 Frazee Rd #510

San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 738-6652

info@sdsurrogacycenter.com