Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

How to finance surrogacy

Don’t let costs get in the way of building your family.

Surrogacy is an expense that some couples aren’t willing to compromise, but that doesn’t make it any more affordable. Costs can easily top $100,000 and can be difficult to predict — you can’t control how many IVF cycles you’ll need or whether your surrogate will have complications.

We walk you through costs you might expect and how you can cover them when working with a surrogate.

Can I pay a surrogate mother with a personal loan?

Yes, most personal loan providers allow you to use your approved funds for any legitimate personal expense. Because surrogacy can come with unexpected expenses over time, you might want to also consider taking out a personal line of credit.

Personal loans offer either secured or unsecured financing. Unsecured loans are best for borrowers with good credit, a low debt-to-income ratio and a high salary. But even so, for the lowest rates, consider secured loans, which use personal assets like a car or a home as collateral. Another popular way of financing surrogacy is taking out a home equity loan or home equity line of credit.

Top personal loan providers to compare

1 – 5 of 5
Name Product USFPL Filter Values APR Min. credit score Loan amount
Best Egg personal loans
Finder Score: 3.8 / 5: ★★★★★
Best Egg logo
7.99% to 35.99%
640
$2,000 to $50,000
Fast and easy personal loan application process. See options first without affecting your credit score.
Upstart personal loans
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Bankrate logo
7.40% to 35.99%
300
$1,000 to $50,000
This service looks beyond your credit score to get you a competitive-rate personal loan.
SoFi personal loans
Finder Score: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Bankrate logo
8.99% to 29.99% fixed APR
680
$5,000 to $100,000
A highly-rated lender with competitive rates, high loan amounts and no required fees.
Upgrade
Finder Score: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
Bankrate logo
9.99% to 35.99%
580
$1,000 to $50,000
Check your rates with this online lender without impacting your credit score.
LendingPoint personal loans
Finder Score: 3.3 / 5: ★★★★★
Bankrate logo
7.99% to 35.99%
Not stated
$2,000 to $36,500
Get a personal loan with reasonable rates even if you have a fair credit score in the 600s.
loading

How much does surrogacy cost?

Surrogacy can cost from $60,000 to an eye-popping $240,000 in the US. Prices depend on whether you use your own eggs, how complicated the pregnancy is and the legal hoops you need to jump through.

We’ve broken down the typical costs you can expect to pay when using a surrogate to grow your family.

Surrogacy agency fee

$20,000–$25,000

Surrogate compensation

$35,000–$65,000

Surrogate and parent psychological evaluations

$600–$1,500

Surrogate medical exams and screenings

$2,000–$4,500

Embryo transfer

$500–$1,500

IVF fees — including medication

$12,000–$40,000+ (depends on number of cycles)

Egg donor fees

$15,000–$20,000

Legal fees

$2,200–$12,500

Maternity clothing allowance

$750–$1,000

Miscellaneous expenses allowance — meals, travel, vitamins and other costs

$200–$300 monthly

Other expenses you might need to pay include C-section fees ($1,500), birth compensation for two or more babies ($5,000) and lost wage compensation for your surrogate (up to $25,000), among unexpected costs.

Surrogacy abroad

The basic costs of surrogacy abroad can be less than what you’d find in the US. Going through an agency in India, one of the most popular surrogacy destinations, costs in the ballpark of $30,000. But once you factor in travel expenses, legal fees, accommodation and genetic testing involved in bringing home a surrogate child born abroad, it can cost as much as a US surrogacy.

Keep in mind that countries have different levels of regulation, which could affect how well your surrogate takes care of her health — and the health of your unborn child — while pregnant.

In India, surrogates see from $800 and $8,000 of that $30,000 you pay, while the rest goes to the agency or clinic.

It depends on where you live. Surrogacy is not legal in states like New York and Michigan, while other states impose varying levels of restrictions.

Explore our interactive map to learn about surrogacy laws in your state.

Surrogacy state regulations map

How else can I pay for surrogacy?

  • In-house surrogacy financing. Agencies know that many parents don’t have thousands of dollars on hand, and so most offer payment plans or financing directly. Agency financing is like any other type of loan, which means you might be able to shop around for an option that better fits your needs.
  • Foundation grants. Several foundations offer grants to intended parents who can’t cover the cost of surrogacy themselves. You might need to provide proof of infertility or live in a specific state to qualify. Your grant also might not cover the entire cost — many top out at $10,000.
  • Crowdfunding. Because surrogacy costs are so high, you might have luck crowdsourcing from your family, friends and social network than just asking a few relatives for funds. Look for a platform that allows you to keep whatever funds you raise (minus fees, of course).
  • 401(k) loan. As a last resort, consider borrowing from your retirement fund, which doesn’t require a strong credit score or financial history. But taking money from your 401(k) could hurt your ability to save for retirement. And if you leave your job, you’ll need to repay what you’ve borrowed in full. You also can’t borrow more than $50,000, which likely won’t cover your full costs.
  • Credit cards. For a smaller, unexpected expense — like an emergency C-section — your credit card might more easily cover the costs. Consider applying for a new card with a 0% intro rate once your surrogate is pregnant to take advantage of no-interest financing as you need it.

5 tips to make surrogacy affordable

  1. Get the right insurance. As an intended parent, you’ll want to look for IVF benefits and newborn coverage. For maternity care coverage you’re surrogate requires, you can either pay any extra costs of adding it to her health plan or research switching to a plan that’s more affordable (if she isn’t already covered).
  2. Get a single embryo transfer (SET). Using one embryo lowers the risk of multiple pregnancies, which can increase complications and costs (not to mention the cost of raising an extra child or two).
  3. Find a surrogate nearby. If you live in a state where surrogacy is legal, getting a surrogate near you can cut down on transportation costs, especially if there’s a chance you’ll need to hop on a plane at a moment’s notice.
  4. Consider friends or family. It’s a weighty request, but you can avoid agency fees by asking trusted loved ones to carry your baby for you. Depending on your circle of support, they just might agree to do it for a lower fee — or none at all.
  5. Know your legal options. While it’s common to establish your legal rights to parenthood before your child is born, other legal options out there might be less expensive. Speak with a lawyer to find a choice that’s best for you.

Bottom line

Paying out of pocket for a surrogate is untenable for most people, but plenty of financing options are available. From grants to crowdfunding and personal loans, you might be able to piece together a way to cover the cost of a priceless new addition to your family.

Get started by comparing your personal loan options and researching other forms of financing to meet your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Anna Serio's headshot
Written by

Editor

Anna Serio was a lead editor at Finder, specializing in consumer and business financing. A trusted lending expert and former certified commercial loan officer, Anna's written and edited more than 1,000 articles on Finder to help Americans strengthen their financial literacy. Her expertise and analysis on personal, student, business and car loans has been featured in publications like Business Insider, CNBC and Nasdaq, and has appeared on NBC and KADN. Anna holds an MA in Middle Eastern studies from the American University of Beirut and a BA in Creative Writing from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, CUNY. See full bio

Anna's expertise
Anna has written 179 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal, business, student and car loans
  • Building credit
  • Paying off debt

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site