Surrogacy is a life-changing process that allows individuals and couples to build the families they’ve always dreamed of, often with the support of a surrogate or egg donor. California, in particular, has established itself as a surrogacy-friendly state, with progressive laws that make it easier for intended parents and surrogates to embark on this journey together. For those seeking surrogacy services, it’s crucial to choose a reputable agency that offers comprehensive support, including legal, medical, and emotional assistance.
We’ll explore together the top five surrogacy agencies in California. While all of these agencies are highly regarded, each brings something unique to the table in terms of experience, services, and support. Whether you are an intended parent or a potential surrogate mother, finding the right agency can make a world of difference in ensuring a smooth and successful surrogacy journey.
1. Extraordinary Conceptions
Overview
Founded in 2005, Extraordinary Conceptions is a leading international surrogacy and egg donor agency based in Southern California based in San Diego. With over 15 years of experience, they’ve helped thousands of intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors across the globe. The agency prides itself on providing compassionate, personalized care, ensuring that everyone involved in the surrogacy process feels supported and informed at every step.
Services
Extraordinary Conceptions offers a full range of services that cater to both surrogates and intended parents. These services include:
- Surrogate Matching: The agency carefully matches intended parents with surrogates based on compatibility, ensuring that both parties share similar values, expectations, and goals.
- Egg Donation: In addition to surrogacy, Extraordinary Conceptions operates an extensive egg donor program, providing intended parents with access to a diverse database of egg donors.
- Legal Coordination: Surrogacy involves complex legal processes, and Extraordinary Conceptions ensures that all necessary legal documents are handled professionally, from drafting surrogacy agreements to managing parental rights.
- International Support: With bilingual staff and expertise in navigating different legal systems, the agency is well-equipped to assist international intended parents, ensuring that their surrogacy experience is seamless, regardless of their location.
- Emotional Support: Surrogacy can be emotionally challenging, and Extraordinary Conceptions provides ongoing support to both surrogates and intended parents through counseling and mental health resources.
Why Choose Extraordinary Conceptions?
What sets Extraordinary Conceptions apart is its international reach and commitment to inclusivity. They also have experience working with LGBTQIA+ families, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, feels welcomed and supported. Extraordinary Conceptions’ personalized approach means that surrogates and intended parents receive tailored support, from initial consultations to post-birth care. Their meticulous matching process, along with their focus on ethical practices and transparency, makes them a top choice for intended parents seeking surrogacy in California.
2. Circle Surrogacy & Egg Donation
Overview
With more than 25 years of experience, Circle Surrogacy is one of the most respected surrogacy and egg donation agencies in the United States. Although headquartered in Boston, Circle has offices in Los Angeles, California and has worked with many intended parents and surrogates across the state. Circle Surrogacy is known for its comprehensive, full-service approach to surrogacy, offering personalized support and a wealth of resources to intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors.
Services
Circle Surrogacy offers a wide array of services that cover every aspect of the surrogacy process:
- Surrogate and Egg Donor Matching: The agency uses a thorough screening process to ensure that intended parents are matched with surrogates and egg donors who meet their specific needs and preferences.
- Legal Services: Circle Surrogacy has a dedicated legal team that handles all aspects of the surrogacy process, including contracts, parental rights, and surrogacy law compliance. Their experience in California law is particularly beneficial, as they ensure that the legal process runs smoothly and that everyone’s rights are protected.
- Psychological Support: The emotional well-being of both surrogates and intended parents is a priority for Circle Surrogacy. They provide psychological screenings and ongoing counseling services to ensure that everyone is emotionally prepared and supported throughout the journey.
Why Choose Circle Surrogacy?
Circle Surrogacy stands out for its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. They offer specialized programs for LGBTQIA+ families, single parents, and international clients. Whether intended parents are from California or abroad, Circle Surrogacy has the resources and experience to support them through the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of surrogacy. Circle Surrogacy’s transparent communication and comprehensive services make them a trusted partner for intended parents looking to build their families through surrogacy.
3. Global Surrogacy Services
Overview
Global Surrogacy Services is an California based agency dedicated to facilitating gestational surrogacy for intended parents within the United States. With a team comprised of experienced doctors, nurses, and legal professionals, they are committed to ensuring that the surrogacy process unfolds positively and that the needs of both intended parents and surrogates are thoroughly addressed. The agency prides itself on creating a welcoming environment for couples and individuals from all backgrounds, including a strong commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Services
- Personalized Surrogate Matching: Global Surrogacy Services excels at connecting intended parents with carefully screened surrogates, ensuring compatibility and shared values to foster a strong relationship throughout the journey.
- Comprehensive Legal and Medical Support: The agency provides expert legal and medical assistance to guide intended parents and surrogates through every step of the process. Their team works diligently to address all legal requirements and ensure that medical care is coordinated effectively.
- Ongoing Support and Communication: Understanding the highly personal nature of surrogacy, Global Surrogacy Services emphasizes open communication and ongoing support. They prioritize sensitivity and attentiveness to the emotional needs of all parties involved, fostering a supportive environment throughout the journey.
Why Choose Global Surrogacy Services?
Recognizing the immense importance of their role in creating new life and building families, Global Surrogacy Services approaches every aspect of the surrogacy process with the utmost care and compassion. Their dedication to serving a diverse clientele, combined with their comprehensive support and commitment to positive outcomes, makes them an excellent choice for intended parents seeking a trustworthy partner in their surrogacy journey.
4. Made in the USA Surrogacy
Overview
Made in the USA Surrogacy focuses on matching intended parents with surrogates across the United States while providing personalized, family-centered care with headquarters in northern California. With an emphasis on thorough screening and ethical practices, the agency is committed to ensuring that both surrogates and intended parents are fully prepared for the journey ahead.
Services
Nationwide Surrogate Matching: Connects intended parents with surrogates from across the country.
Ethical and Thorough Screening: Extensive medical and psychological evaluations for all surrogates.
Support Throughout the Journey: Provides both surrogates and intended parents with continuous guidance, legal advice, and emotional support.
Why Choose Made in the USA Surrogacy?
The agency’s commitment to ethical surrogacy practices, along with its thorough screening and personalized care, makes Made in the USA Surrogacy a trusted partner for intended parents looking to build their families with confidence. Their nationwide reach and supportive approach ensure a seamless and positive surrogacy experience.
5. West Coast Surrogacy
Overview
West Coast Surrogacy is a boutique surrogacy agency based in Orange County, California. Founded in 2007, the agency offers personalized support and a hands-on approach to surrogacy. They work with intended parents from diverse backgrounds, including traditional families, same-sex couples, and single parents, and provide a high level of care and attention to detail.
Services
- Personalized Matching: The agency takes a personalized approach to matching intended parents with surrogates. Each intended parent is assigned a case manager who works closely with them to understand their needs and preferences, ensuring that the surrogate match is based on compatibility and shared goals.
- Legal and Medical Coordination: The agency handles all legal and medical coordination, working with fertility clinics, legal professionals, and insurance companies to ensure that the process runs smoothly.
- Ongoing Counseling: Both surrogates and intended parents receive ongoing emotional support throughout the surrogacy journey. The agency provides access to counseling services and ensures that everyone involved feels supported and informed.
Why Choose West Coast Surrogacy?
West Coast Surrogacy’s personalized, boutique approach is ideal for intended parents who are looking for a more hands-on experience. Their dedicated case managers work closely with intended parents and surrogates, providing tailored support and ensuring that all questions and concerns are addressed promptly. The agency’s high level of communication and attention to detail, combined with their strong relationships with legal and medical professionals, make them a reliable and supportive choice for surrogacy in California.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Surrogacy Agencies in California
Selecting the right surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions you’ll make on your journey to parenthood. With so many surrogacy agencies offering different services, it’s essential to know what factors to prioritize to ensure a smooth and positive experience. Here are the key things to look for when choosing the best surrogacy agency in California:
Experience and Reputation
Look for a well-established agency with years of experience and a strong reputation. An agency like Extraordinary Conceptions, with over 15 years in the field, is known for its professionalism, ethical practices, and success stories.
Experience and Reputation
Look for a well-established agency with years of experience and a strong reputation. An agency like Extraordinary Conceptions, with over 15 years in the field, is known for its professionalism, ethical practices, and success stories.
Comprehensive Services
Choose an agency that offers a full range of services, including surrogate matching, legal contracts, medical coordination, and emotional support. This ensures you have assistance throughout every aspect of the journey.
Personalized Care and Support
A top agency tailors its services to meet your individual needs. Look for one that prioritizes personalized care, with regular check-ins and open communication to foster a positive experience.
Legal Expertise
Navigating surrogacy laws is essential, so select an agency with strong legal expertise or partnerships with qualified attorneys. This is especially important in California, where regulations can be complex and getting into a surrogacy contract is something you’ll want to make sure you get the best legal representation.
Transparency in Costs
Transparency in pricing is key to avoiding unexpected expenses. Choose an agency that provides clear, upfront pricing and detailed financial plans that comes with surrogacy costs and even in surrogate pay, you want to make sure everything is transparent which can be an issue with other surrogacy agencies.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Opt for an agency that welcomes all types of families, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, single parents, and international clients. An inclusive agency can better support your unique journey.
Ethical Practices
Ensure the agency adheres to ethical guidelines in surrogate compensation and treatment. A commitment to respect and fairness is vital for a positive experience for everyone involved.
Strong Surrogate Screening Process
A thorough screening process is essential to ensure surrogates are physically and emotionally prepared. Look for agencies that conduct comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations.
Emotional and Mental Health Support
Surrogacy can be an emotional journey, so access to counseling and emotional resources is crucial for both surrogates and intended parents.
Post-Birth Support
The support should not end with the birth of the child. Choose an agency that offers ongoing assistance, whether through legal follow-up or emotional counseling after a gestational surrogacy, to ensure everyone feels cared for after the baby arrives.
The Best Surrogacy Agencies in California
Choosing the right surrogacy agency is a critical decision for both intended parents and surrogate mothers. Each of these top five California surrogacy agencies offers a unique approach to surrogacy, with a range of services designed to support families through the legal, emotional, and medical aspects of the journey. Whether you’re seeking personalized care, a focus on inclusivity, or international expertise from your surrogate agency, these agencies provide the resources and support needed to make the surrogacy process as smooth and successful as possible.
When considering a surrogacy agency, these factors are critical to ensuring a successful and positive experience. Extraordinary Conceptions meets all of these criteria, offering a well-rounded approach that supports intended parents and surrogates every step of the way. By choosing an agency that prioritizes experience, transparency, inclusivity, and personalized care, you can embark on your surrogacy journey with confidence.
