Surrogacy FAQs

How quickly can you read a profile? Right now, surrogates are being matched as soon as they complete pre-screening. Some may wait longer depending on their preferences.

You have full control over who you match with. Your case manager will share an Intended Parent profile with you. If you’re interested, a match meeting will be scheduled. After the meeting, you’ll decide whether you want to move forward. You can accept or decline at the profile stage or after the match meeting.

If known in advance, the parents will designate a Power of Attorney (POA) to be present. If it’s a last-minute situation, the agency will arrange an emergency POA to take custody of the baby at delivery. You will never be responsible for or take custody of the baby after birth.

No. All Intended Parents work with Pinnacle Fertility clinics, which are located in the U.S. (lower 48 states). Your travel will be to the fertility clinic—not to where the parents live.

No. You can be married, in a relationship, or single. What matters is that you have a strong support system, which doesn’t have to come from a spouse or partner.

No. Many insurance policies don’t cover surrogacy, even if you have one. If your insurance doesn’t apply, we’ll secure a policy or a maternity (cash pay) plan to cover the pregnancy.

Intended Parents and surrogates must align on termination preferences before matching. However, our agency only accepts surrogates who are willing to follow medical recommendations, including termination if necessary.

No. The embryos are created using the Intended Parents’ sperm and eggs or donors. You are the carrier, not the genetic parent.

We recommend consulting a tax professional for personalized advice. Pinnacle does not issue W-2s or 1099s to surrogates.

First-time surrogates earn $65,000+, with a base compensation of $55,000. Compensation increases for experienced surrogates:

• 2nd journey: $60,000 base
• 3rd+ journey: $65,000 base

Payments begin at heartbeat confirmation and are distributed in equal monthly installments until delivery. Additional allowances are paid throughout the journey at key milestones like medical clearance, heartbeat confirmation, and medication start.

You’ll see one profile at a time. We do not hold surrogates, so if you pass on a profile, we cannot guarantee that surrogate will still be available later if you change your mind.

Trust and communication are the foundation of this process. We conduct rigorous screening to ensure our surrogates meet our high standards, and we only present qualified, reliable candidates.

We follow your doctor’s guidance. Typically, a second transfer is recommended. Per your contract, you are entitled to one medical rematch if advised by your doctor (usually after two failed transfers). If a rematch is needed, we will secure a new surrogate as quickly as possible. While there are additional screening fees, they are significantly lower than starting over.

In 2024, we had 40 successful deliveries!

The estimated total cost is $160,000. Below is a breakdown of key expenses:

• Match Meeting Fee: $5,000 (one-time, non-refundable, due when scheduling the match meeting).
• Second Payment: $52,300 (due within one week of matching; covers case management and the surrogate’s pre-medical screening but does not include clinic fees).
• Escrow Funding: Initial deposit of $6,000 (covers escrow fees and the surrogate’s travel).
• Legal Fees: Billed directly to you.
• Final Escrow Funding: Covers surrogate compensation and insurance, due after legal clearance.

We are committed to transparency and will guide you through each financial step.