The Surrogacy Process for Surrogates

New York Surrogacy Center will be there every step of the way to guide you through the surrogacy process!

The process typically consists of the following 9 stages:

Intake

Reach out via our website, phone, or email and we will set up a time to talk about the process and answer any questions you have about the agency or about surrogacy in general
We will provide written materials about the surrogacy process, surrogate compensation, and more
If you are interested in moving forward, we will send you our application to complete and return to us
We will then send you instructions for completing the pre-screening process

In order to make sure you meet our eligibility criteria to become a surrogate, you will undergo the following pre-screening steps:
- Child abuse/neglect disclosure
- Background check, including criminal history, sex offender registry, credit history and driving record
- HIPAA releases for your OBGYN and delivery records
- OBGYN Letter of Recommendation
- STD screening
- Drug test
- Virtual home visit
We will provide you with detailed instructions on how to accomplish each of these steps and we will reimburse you for the costs associated with all of these pre-screening steps, once they are all completed
We will also conduct an independent review of your health insurance policy to make sure it covers a surrogate pregnancy
Once your pre-screening is complete and you are approved to move forward, we will create a profile for you. You will also sign an agreement regarding your relationship with the agency
Once that is completed, you will be ready for the matching phase!

Based on the information provided in your application, we will show you profiles of intended parents who may be a good match for you
The intended parents’ fertility clinic will review your OB and delivery records to make sure you meet all of the fertility clinic’s medical criteria
We will then arrange a match meeting over Zoom between you and the intended parents
If both you and the intended parents agree it’s a good match, we will officially match you and you will move on to the screening process!

You will undergo a medical screening at the intended parents’ fertility clinic. This typically involves bloodwork, a physical exam, and a uterine ultrasound
If the fertility clinic is not close to you, the agency will make travel arrangements for you and cover the costs
You and the intended parents will also undergo a psychological screening to make sure you all understand the process of surrogacy and the potential emotional impacts of surrogacy. This typically involves completing a questionnaire and meeting with a mental health professional (virtually) to discuss the surrogacy process, both individually and with your intended parents
Once medical and psychological clearances are obtained, you will be compensated $1,500 and you will be ready to move on to the contract phase

We will provide you with referrals to competent surrogacy attorneys to choose from to represent you in the negotiation of the Surrogacy Agreement, which will set forth the terms of your surrogacy arrangement
It will include information about your compensation and your conduct during the pregnancy
Once the Surrogacy Agreement is signed and all legal requirements met, we will send a legal clearance letter to the fertility center and you will be ready to schedule the embryo transfer!
You will be compensated $1,500 for reaching this exciting milestone in the process!

The fertility center will schedule the embryo transfer with you and the intended parents
If the fertility center is not close to you, the agency will make your travel arrangements and cover all costs
You will have frequent bloodwork and ultrasound appointments completed before and after the embryo transfer to monitor how everything is going. These appointments will take place at a monitoring clinic local to you and typically occur early in the morning
We will locate a local monitoring clinic for you and coordinate all of these appointments on your behalf
You will take fertility medications to prepare your body for the embryo transfer cycle, and you will be compensated $500 once you start taking medications
If all goes well, you will become pregnant and the agency will check in with you after each medical appointment to see how you and the baby are doing
The agency will also make sure that you receive all payments you are entitled to pursuant to the Surrogacy Agreement. You can also contact the agency at any time with questions or concerns
Once you reach the second trimester of pregnancy, the intended parents will have their attorney file a parentage proceeding!

When it’s time to file the parentage proceeding, your attorney will send you a consent form to review and sign
The consent form will then be filed with the court, along with the intended parents’ petition
The court will issue a pre-birth order declaring the intended parents to be the parents of the baby and directing Vital Records to list them as the parents on the baby’s birth certificate. You will not typically be required to go to court for this

As we get close to your due date, we will help you and your intended parents come up with a birth plan that you are all comfortable with. This will include plans about who will be in the delivery room, who will cut the umbilical cord, who will hold the baby, etc.
We will connect with the hospital where you plan to deliver and make sure they have all necessary information and documents to ensure a smooth delivery process
You will let the agency and the intended parents know as soon as labor begins and the intended parents will be present for the labor and delivery, if possible. They will care for and bond with the baby at the hospital and the baby will be discharged to them
After birth, you may pump breast milk for the intended parents, if you all agree.
You will be compensated $300 per week for pumping breastmilk, and the Intended Parents will cover all costs associated with storing and shipping the breastmilk.

You will be compensated for your lost wages, if any, while you recover from childbirth
You will also receive any final payments due to you under the Surrogacy Agreement and your surrogacy journey will be complete!