Surrogacy Agency Selection Checklist

Use this checklist as a quick way to evaluate and compare surrogacy agencies. Work through each section step by step and make notes on how well each agency meets the criteria. The more transparent, ethical and structured an agency is, the smoother your journey is likely to be.

1. Legal & Compliance Checks

  • Confirm the country and agency operate legally for internationals.
  • Request sample contracts before paying anything.
  • Check if legal work is provided in-house or outsourced.
  • Clarify parentage steps (COE/PO/passport timelines).
  • Verify guidance for your nationality and family type.

2. Medical & Clinical Standards

  • Ask which fertility clinic(s) they work with.
  • Request real success rates (embryo creation, transfer, birth).
  • Confirm surrogate medical and psychological screening.
  • Understand hospital choice, NICU access, and maternity care.
  • Review surrogate eligibility criteria (BMI, age, pregnancies).

3. Surrogate Recruitment & Support

  • Ask how surrogates are recruited and screened.
  • Check compensation structure and payment schedule.
  • Understand their support system (transport, nutrition, welfare).
  • Confirm insurance/medical coverage for the surrogate.
  • Request surrogate feedback or anonymised testimonials.

4. Transparency & Communication

  • Confirm clear cost breakdowns without hidden fees.
  • Ask how often updates are sent (weekly/monthly).
  • Check what you receive: scans, videos, reports, photos.
  • Clarify communication channels and response times.

5. Financial Reliability

  • Ask whether funds are held in trust or paid directly.
  • Ensure payments align to real milestones.
  • Understand refund policy for failed cycles.
  • Request an upper-range cost projection (worst case).
  • Check for any history of mid-process price inflation.

6. Ethical Standards

  • Ensure surrogates have independent legal advice.
  • Verify no coercion or unfair compensation practices.
  • Ask about consent processes and surrogate rights.
  • Understand how compensation is delivered and monitored.
  • Request proof of ethical compliance and welfare policies.

7. Experience & Track Record

  • Check number of journeys in the last 12–24 months.
  • Confirm experience with international, same-sex and hetero parents.
  • Request 2–3 recent parent references.
  • Ask about staff experience and longevity.
  • Confirm real birth numbers annually (not just matches).

8. Journey Management

  • Clarify who manages what (agency vs clinic vs lawyer).
  • Understand the full timeline from intake to post-birth.
  • Ask about rematch and backup surrogate policies.
  • Check what happens in case of complications (NICU, miscarriage).
  • Understand post-birth logistics support (passports, notary, embassy).

9. Costs & Packages

  • Request detailed inclusion/exclusion lists.
  • Compare base package vs live-birth guarantee options.
  • Discuss add-ons (PGT-A, donors, transport, accommodation).
  • Ask for sample invoices to verify real pricing.
  • Get a total cost estimate for best-case and worst-case scenarios.

10. Red Flags

  • No contract before payment.
  • Unclear or constantly changing costs.
  • No evidence of surrogate screening.
  • Pressure sales tactics.
  • No recent parent references available.
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Surrogacy Process