Your Guide to Compensated Surrogacy [3 Things You Should Know]

If you are a hopeful intended parent or a prospective carrier, you are likely aware of your gestational and traditional surrogacy options. When deciding between the two types of surrogacy, it is essential to know you have additional possibilities involved for each. You can choose:

• Compensated surrogacy
• Altruistic surrogacy 

But what do these options mean?

In layman’s terms, compensated surrogacy, also known as commercial surrogacy, is just that: the carrier is compensated for her role of carrying a baby to term. Altruistic surrogacy means the carrier does not get compensated outside of being reimbursed for medical bills acquired throughout her pregnancy. 

In this guide, you will find information about compensated surrogacy to help determine if it is the right path for you. Whether you are a hopeful intended parent or a prospective carrier, by reading this guide, you will learn:

• The legalities
• The pros and cons of choosing compensated surrogacy
• How to make the best-educated decision for your surrogacy journey

Anytime you have questions or concerns about commercial surrogacy, fill out this online form to get the information you need from a trained surrogacy professional. Until then, continue reading to learn more about paid surrogacy and how it may be the right path for you.

What is Compensated Surrogacy?

Although there is no precise definition, and it may change on a case-to-case basis depending upon the situation, compensated surrogacy generally relates to a surrogacy arrangement in which the carrier is compensated for her time and effort, in addition to being reimbursed for her medical bills. It can be applied to both gestational and traditional surrogacy.

Compensated surrogacy, although relatively common, creates controversy and varying opinions. Some question commercial surrogacy ethical issues and claim it’s an exploitation of the system of reproduction. Others believe it to be a fair and reasonable request, and propose arguments for commercial surrogacy given the physical and emotional impact carrying someone else’s child to term can create. Determining where you stand on the matter can help you decide on which type of surrogacy to pursue.

Compensated gestational surrogacy has helped thousands of intended parents achieve their dreams of parenthood. It has helped people like: 

• Couples experiencing fertility issues 
• Single intended parents
• LGBTQ intended parents
• Intended parents who cannot safely carry a pregnancy to term
• Many others

Not only can compensation help the intended parents, but surrogates also do not have to worry about the potential loss of income from time off of work, they have an added source of income throughout their pregnancy, and all medical bills and delivery costs are reimbursed.  

These are just some of the benefits of commercial surrogacy. To learn more, continue reading or fill out this online form to get more information about compensated surrogacy.

Is Paid Surrogacy Legal?

Compensated surrogacy laws vary from state to state, so the answer to that is yes and no. Although legal in some states, questions on the ethics of commercial surrogacy have caused many states to ban or heavily restrict this type of surrogacy. The majority of states that do not allow commercial surrogacy prohibit it because they do not yet have rules or regulations in place.

Of the states that allow compensated surrogacy, California has become the leader for defining surrogacy laws, with many other states following suit. Because of their well-defined laws and regulations, California has become one of the top surrogacy destinations for surrogates and hopeful intended families.  Other states will likely establish similar regulations in the near future, which will help ensure the safety of intended parents and surrogates.

Internationally, there are no set surrogacy laws. For this reason, many countries ban all forms of surrogacy, and others only allow altruistic. This creates an influx of surrogacies to countries such as Thailand, Russia, Ukraine, and others that allow compensated surrogacy. Unfortunately, many intended parents seeking a family through surrogacy pursue an international surrogacy agency solely based on cost. Estimates show that the average compensated surrogacy in India costs about $47,000, while commercial surrogacy in the United States can cost upwards of $100,000.

Initially, the cost differential may seem like the best option, but choosing a surrogacy based on costs alone is very risky. 

There are no regulations in place to protect the intended parents or carrier in many countries with less expensive surrogacy options. This lack of regulation can create parental rights issues, citizenship issues, and more for your child. When considering compensated surrogacy, either in the United States or internationally, it’s best to discuss your options with a surrogacy professional. 

By filling out this form, you can get more information on the international risks of commercial surrogacy and the benefits of paid surrogacy in the United States.

Pros and Cons of Commercial Surrogacy

When trying to decide which type of surrogacy is best for you, weighing your pros and cons is a great way to help you determine the best path. Whether you are a hopeful intended family or a prospective carrier, there are advantages and disadvantages to commercial surrogacy. Ultimately, the choice is yours to make. 

Some of the pros to compensated surrogacy include: 

• Being compensated for the yearlong commitment of being a carrier. 
• A legally protected and regulated process in states that allow compensated surrogacy. This ensures the safety of everyone involved and that all rights are being respected and protected.
• Compensated surrogacy is a legal agreement with attorneys and professionals involved. This helps avoid any confusion about the expected amount or reimbursement and lays a clear path for the surrogacy journey. 
• At least in the United States, most commercial surrogates do not pursue surrogacy solely for monetary gain. In fact, many surrogacy agencies require gestational carriers to verify their personal financial stability to ensure they aren’t pursuing surrogacy out of financial necessity.

Some of the cons of compensated surrogacy include:

• The costs of commercial surrogacy are more expensive than altruistic. 
• Lack of regulation in foreign countries increases the chances of women being exploited or pursuing being a surrogate for monetary reasons only. 
• Not all states allow commercial surrogacy, which can make finding an agency difficult. 

When completed legally and ethically, compensated surrogacy is a great opportunity for everyone involved. It builds trust, understanding, and a guideline for both the surrogate and intended parent’s expectations. 

With such an important decision, you want to have the best information and resources by your side as you research or plan to begin your surrogacy journey. If you feel compensated surrogacy may be the best path for you, fill out this online form to get more information from a surrogacy professional.