Surrogate Mother Compensation

Interested in earning surrogate mother pay and becoming a surrogate yourself? Here’s how to start your surrogacy journey:

1. Apply Online: The preparation process involves completing the application and paperwork.
2. Interview With Our Team: Prospective mothers will meet with our team, who will answer any questions you have about surrogacy.
3. Medical Screening and Psychological Evaluation: To ensure you can safely proceed with being a surrogate, we ask all prospective surrogates to complete a comprehensive medical evaluation.
4. Meet the Intended Parent(s): Prospective surrogates will choose and meet with their intended parents to ensure they are a good fit prior to undergoing IVF.

Becoming a surrogate requires dedication, time and effort. The compensation varies based on your experience, background and the successful completion of the surrogacy process.

As a guide, a first-time surrogate residing outside of California receives a base pay of around $45,000. Experienced surrogates from California start with compensation of around $60,000. Upon completion of the surrogacy journey, you may earn a bonus of up to $9,900.

Additionally, Joy of Life® offers reimbursements for travel and other incidental expenses such as wage loss, childcare and more. We also provide comprehensive benefits like premium life insurance, medical insurance, round-the-clock support and nutritional counseling.

Our team is always available to support you emotionally, physically and financially. Although surrogate compensation is rewarding, our primary goal is to ensure surrogates feel appreciated and motivated by their invaluable contribution to growing families.

Absolutely. We value your commitment and cover unexpected inconveniences that may arise during your surrogacy journey, including lost wages (ex., you had to take unpaid time off to attend a prenatal care appointment) and childcare expenses.

No. As a surrogate, you’re not required to pay any hospital bills out of pocket without reimbursement. Joy of Life® coordinates with your intended parents, insurance and medical providers to cover all pregnancy-related expenses.

Many women choose to take part in multiple surrogacy journeys if cleared by their doctor. Return surrogates earn more than first-time surrogates, and many return families will request to work with the same surrogate when they’re ready to welcome an additional child into their families.

Per American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines, it’s recommended surrogates have no more than five total pregnancies and no more than three c-sections, including pregnancies/c-sections unrelated to surrogacy.

There are many reasons a woman may decide to become a surrogate mother. Many of our surrogates stated they began their surrogacy journey because:

• They wanted to help others
• They had someone in their lives who couldn’t have children themselves
• They want other parents to get to experience the same joy their own children bring them
• They knew they’d have robust community and financial support with Joy of Life®

100%. We’re proud to say that our Surrogate Benefit Packet is very transparent, so you know exactly what you will be receiving. We will list your compensation on your surrogate contract to ensure you’re fully compensated and we will work closely with you each month to track your compensation.

No, you won’t. Before the contract is signed, we will go over everything with you so that it’s written into your surrogacy contract. Not only will you receive compensation, but we will also support you with reimbursement, covering your transportation, which includes mileage, hotel, airfares and meals too.

We also like to take into consideration unexpected inconveniences, such as wage loss or child care. Other aspects we will cover for you include up to $250,000 Premium life insurance (based on qualifications), medical insurance, and psychological and 24/7 support.

For most surrogates, the financial reward is not what inspires them to give a family a truly amazing gift. Here are some of the reasons why being a surrogate is so much more than just compensation:

1. It Can Give Your Life Meaning: Bringing joy to a family by enabling them to have a child provides immense fulfillment and purpose, enhancing your overall happiness and fostering a lifelong, transformative connection with the intended parents.
2. Enjoyment of Being Pregnant Again: If you’re thinking about surrogacy, you probably cherish the experience of being pregnant. Despite its challenges, it’s filled with the joys of feeling the baby’s movements and basking in the pregnancy glow. It also invites unexpected moments of slowing down and savoring life’s little pleasures, fostering a sense of balance.
3. New Relationships and a Support Network: Pregnancy naturally leads to new friendships with other expectant mothers. However, with surrogacy, you’ll also form a unique and strong bond with the intended parents and the Joy of Life team. This relationship involves regular contact, offering unwavering support, guidance and nurturing throughout the pregnancy journey.