What Is Surrogacy? Your Guide to IVF Surrogacy in California

At Pacific Reproductive Center, we encourage our patients to explore every option for family building, including surrogacy.

We are passionate about providing potential parents with the resources and information to welcome healthy babies into their hearts and homes. Though certain reproductive obstacles might seem too large to overcome, we are confident that we can help you reach your goal.

If you are experiencing fertility challenges, one of the reproductive possibilities you might be considering is California surrogacy services.

Surrogacy involves the participation of a third party who carries a pregnancy to term. While potential parents who are medically incapable of achieving pregnancy might opt for surrogacy, it is also a choice often made by same-sex couples or single parents.

There are two general categories of surrogacy: traditional and IVF surrogacy. Here, we delve deeper into IVF surrogacy and discuss the entire process, giving you a clearer picture of the full journey.

To learn more about IVF surrogacy, contact us for a consultation to explore your options or continue reading below.

What Is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a baby for a person or couple who can’t carry a pregnancy on their own. Families arrive at surrogacy for many reasons: repeated pregnancy loss, a medical condition that makes pregnancy unsafe, or building a family as a same-sex couple or single parent. Whatever the reason, the goal is the same: to bring a healthy baby into the world for a family that’s ready for one.

There are two broad forms of surrogacy. In gestational surrogacy, by far the most common today, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child; the embryo is created through IVF using the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm and then transferred to the surrogate. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is used, so she is genetically related to the child. Because gestational surrogacy keeps genetics and gestation separate, it tends to be simpler both medically and legally.

Wherever you are on your journey, you don’t have to sort it out alone. You can meet our fertility specialists to talk through what surrogacy could look like for your family.

How Does Surrogacy Work?

Once you’ve decided to explore surrogacy, it helps to understand how the arrangement actually works and the forms it can take. At its core, surrogacy pairs intended parents with a surrogate who carries the pregnancy, supported by a medical team, legal counsel, and often an agency. For couples weighing every path to parenthood, including options like reciprocal IVF, understanding these distinctions early makes the decision clearer.

Gestational Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries a child who is not biologically related to her. The embryo is created through IVF using the intended parents’ eggs and sperm, or with the help of an egg donor or sperm donor, and is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. Because the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby, gestational surrogacy is the most widely used form today and generally offers the cleanest legal path for everyone involved.

Compensated Surrogacy

In a compensated arrangement, the surrogate receives payment beyond her direct expenses. Compensation typically covers medical costs, legal fees, and pregnancy-related expenses, along with an additional amount recognizing the surrogate’s time, effort, and commitment throughout the pregnancy. Most surrogacy journeys in the United States are compensated.

Compassionate Surrogacy

Compassionate surrogacy, sometimes called altruistic surrogacy, involves no financial compensation beyond reimbursement of medical and other reasonable pregnancy-related expenses. These arrangements often involve a close friend or family member who wants to help intended parents grow their family.

Surrogacy vs. IVF: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse surrogacy with IVF, but they describe different things. IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a laboratory procedure in which eggs are fertilized with sperm outside the body to create embryos. Surrogacy is a family-building arrangement in which a third party, the surrogate, or gestational carrier, carries the pregnancy for the intended parents. The two overlap in gestational surrogacy, where IVF is used to create the embryo that is then transferred to the surrogate. In other words, IVF is a step within the surrogacy process, not a substitute for it. If you’re still weighing which path fits your situation, exploring our full range of fertility treatment options can help you compare.

The IVF Surrogacy Process, Step by Step

Because gestational surrogacy relies on in-vitro fertilization, the medical process follows the familiar arc of an IVF cycle, with the embryo transferred to the surrogate rather than the intended mother. Here’s how each stage works.

Egg Retrieval

The process begins with ovarian stimulation. Fertility medications encourage the ovaries, the intended mother’s or an egg donor’s, to produce multiple mature eggs, which are then collected during a short, minimally invasive retrieval procedure.

Sperm Collection and Preparation

A sperm sample is provided by the intended father or a donor. In the lab, the sample is washed and concentrated to isolate the healthiest, most motile sperm and prepare it for fertilization.

Creation of the Embryo in the Lab

The retrieved eggs and prepared sperm are combined in our on-site laboratory to facilitate fertilization. The resulting embryos are closely monitored as they develop over several days, so our embryologists can identify the strongest candidates for transfer.

Embryo Transfer to the Surrogate

Once an embryo has developed, it is selected and gently placed into the surrogate’s uterus, where it will hopefully implant and begin to grow. The transfer itself is a relatively simple, quick procedure performed by a fertility specialist and typically requires no anesthesia.

Fertility Drugs and Medications

Medications support both sides of the process. The egg provider takes hormones to stimulate egg production, while the surrogate takes medications — including treatments to thicken the uterine lining and progesterone support — to prepare her body for implantation and help sustain an early pregnancy.

Monitoring the Pregnancy

After the transfer, the surrogate has regular visits with the fertility specialist and, later, her obstetrician. Ultrasound scans track the embryo’s progress, confirm the heartbeat, and assess overall health. Throughout, the surrogate’s well-being is a top priority, and our team stays in close contact with everyone involved.

The Role of Surrogacy Agencies and Professionals

Most surrogacy journeys involve a team of professionals working alongside your medical providers. Surrogacy agencies act as liaisons, helping match intended parents with a suitable surrogate, coordinating schedules, and guiding both sides through the logistics. Reproductive attorneys draft and review the agreements that spell out everyone’s rights and responsibilities, while mental health professionals handle screening and support. At PRC, this coordination happens in close partnership with our clinical team, so the medical, legal, and emotional pieces stay aligned instead of operating in silos.

Emotional and Psychological Support

Surrogacy is a deeply personal experience, and it affects everyone involved differently, intended parents and surrogates alike. Feelings of excitement, anxiety, and vulnerability are all normal, and support should never be an afterthought. Counseling services, support groups, and online communities can all help, and a psychological evaluation is a standard, supportive part of preparing every surrogate. We stay in close contact with you and your surrogate throughout because the relationship between intended parents and their surrogate is one of the most meaningful parts of the journey. When hard moments come up, and sometimes they do, we’re right there with you.

How to Become a Surrogate Mother

Becoming a surrogate is a significant commitment, and it begins with a thorough screening process. Prospective surrogates typically connect with a surrogacy agency or directly with intended parents, then complete medical evaluations, background checks, and psychological assessments before moving forward.

Most programs look for a similar set of qualifications:

• Being within a certain age range, typically 21–40
• Having previously carried and delivered a healthy pregnancy
• Maintaining a healthy, stable lifestyle
• Passing medical evaluations, background checks, and psychological screening

These standards exist to protect the surrogate, the intended parents, and the baby alike. If you’re an intended parent wondering where to start, our guide on how to find a surrogate mother walks through what to look for and what to expect.

Legal Considerations and Regulations in California

California is widely regarded as one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the country, and its laws are a significant reason why families travel here from across the U.S. and around the world.

Rather than leaving surrogacy to vary county by county, California has a clear statutory framework that protects intended parents, surrogates, and children from the very beginning.

Gestational surrogacy is governed by the California Family Code, specifically sections 7960 through 7962, which took effect in 2013. In practice, that framework provides California families with several protections many other states do not:

• Statutory recognition — gestational carrier agreements are expressly authorized and enforceable under California Family Code §§7960–7962.
• Independent legal counsel — the agreement must be signed before any medications begin, with the intended parents and the surrogate each represented by their own attorney.
• Pre-birth parentage orders — under §7962, a court can name the intended parents as the legal parents before the baby is born, so their names go directly on the birth certificate with no post-birth adoption required.
• Equal protection for every family — same-sex couples and single parents have the same legal standing as any other intended parent.

Because these rules are set out in statute rather than left to case-by-case interpretation, outcomes in California are unusually predictable. It is worth noting that this streamlined path applies to gestational surrogacy; traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate is genetically related to the child, is treated differently under California parentage law and carries more complexity.

(Please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation, as the information provided on the webpage is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.)

Financial Aspects and Costs

Surrogacy involves several types of expenses, and while the actual figures can vary widely based on location, surrogacy mother cost, and specific arrangements, these are the key areas where costs typically occur, including:

• Agency Fees: Surrogacy agencies charge fees for services like matching intended parents with surrogates, coordinating the process, and providing support throughout the journey.

• Legal Fees:Legal help is essential to draft, review, and finalize surrogacy agreements, ensuring legal clarity and protection for all parties involved.

• Cost of Required Medical Procedures: The costs associated with fertility treatments, IVF procedures, embryo transfer, and prenatal care are significant components to consider when considering the total procedure amount. These expenses cover the medical aspects of the surrogacy process, including screenings, medications, and medical consultations.

• Medical Insurance: Intended parents may need to provide health insurance coverage for the surrogate, covering prenatal care, delivery, and potential complications.

• Surrogate Compensation:This fee includes compensation for the surrogate’s time, effort, and commitment throughout the pregnancy. Compensation may cover the surrogate’s base fee, monthly allowances, lost wages (if applicable), and other related expenses. Intended parents often provide financial support for the surrogate’s expenses, such as maternity clothing, travel costs (if needed), and additional medical or pregnancy-related expenses not covered by insurance.

While the costs associated with surrogacy can be substantial, they are an investment toward fulfilling the dream of parenthood. Understanding these cost breakdowns and working closely with reputable agencies, legal experts, and fertility experts helps in managing and planning for the financial aspects of your surrogacy journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most families come to us with a long list of questions before taking any next steps — that’s completely normal. Here are the ones we hear most often about surrogacy in California.

How much does surrogacy cost?

In the United States, surrogacy generally costs between $80,000 and $150,000 on average. The range is wide because the total depends on factors like surrogate compensation, agency and legal fees, the specifics of the IVF cycle, insurance, and screening. We provide a clear, itemized breakdown up front so you can plan with confidence.

Does a surrogate mother share blood with the baby?

No. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate and baby do not share blood. Their circulatory systems remain separate, with the placenta managing the exchange of oxygen and nutrients, and the baby is not genetically related to the surrogate.

Can same-sex couples or single individuals pursue surrogacy?

Yes. In California, single parents and same-sex couples have the same legal standing as any other intended parent, because state family law protects all family structures equally. There’s no particular household profile you need to meet — we work with families of all kinds.

What’s the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy?

The difference comes down to genetics. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is created through IVF from the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm and then transferred to the surrogate, so the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s own egg is used, which means she is the child’s biological mother. Because gestational surrogacy separates genetics from gestation, it is the more common choice today and typically involves a more straightforward legal process.

Is surrogacy legal in California?

Yes — California is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the country. Gestational surrogacy agreements are explicitly recognized under California Family Code §§7960–7962, and the state allows pre-birth orders that establish intended parents’ rights before the baby is born. These protections apply regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, which is a major reason families from around the world choose California for surrogacy.

Explore Family Planning Options With Surrogacy in Los Angeles

Every family we’ve worked with started right where you are now — with questions, hope, and not quite a full picture of what comes next. The path to feeling confident about your options doesn’t happen overnight, but it usually starts with a single conversation. A consultation with our Los Angeles–based team costs you nothing and gives you real answers about where you stand and what a surrogacy journey could look like for you.

At Pacific Reproductive Center, we don’t believe fertility care should look the same for everyone. From personalized protocols and advanced on-site laboratory services to compassionate, coordinated support, every step is built around your situation and your goals. Take a few minutes to review our IVF success rates, then contact us to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward building your family.