Choosing the right surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions you will make on your path to parenthood. It is more than scrolling through a list of “top 10” agencies. It is about finding the agency that best fits your needs. The best agency for you honors your story, protects your interests, and supports your family-building experience every step of the way.

This guide combines transparent methodology, publicly available data, and decades of industry expertise to help you navigate the surrogacy landscape with confidence. Rather than offering rankings, we highlight what distinguishes the leading agencies, how to evaluate them, and which options best support your unique needs. Our goal is simple: to equip you with the insight you need to make decisions that feel right for your journey to parenthood.

Why “Best” Should Mean “Best for You”

Many “best surrogacy agency” lists rank organizations without context. But surrogacy is never a one-size-fits-all journey. What works for an LGBTQIA+ couple living abroad may not work for a single parent in New York. Every family has its own unique story and needs. That’s why our approach is fit-first. We outline the criteria that matter most so you can make choices aligned with your goals. This isn’t about finding the most popular agency. It’s about finding the one that is built for your journey.

How We Evaluated Surrogacy Agencies

Our evaluation process is built on a foundation of transparency, ethics, and verifiable results. Only agencies that demonstrate unwavering commitment to exceptional standards and consistently strong outcomes are included in this guide. Drawing on data from SART and CDC clinic reports, legal frameworks, state licensing boards, and independent review directories, we look beyond surface-level metrics to understand how each agency truly operates. These categories reveal what matters most, giving you a clearer picture of which agency is the best for your needs, your expectations, and your vision for parenthood.

• Safety & Ethics: We assessed how thoroughly each agency screens surrogates and donors, how closely they follow ASRM and SART guidelines, and how ethically they support everyone involved in the journey.

• Clinical Collaboration & Outcomes: We evaluated agency partnerships with reputable fertility clinics and consistent success rates supported by SART and CDC data proxies.

• First Match & Medical Clearance Rates: We examined the effectiveness of each agency’s matching process by looking at how often the first surrogate presented for your match moves successfully into medical clearance, which highlights successful screening processes by the agencies.

• Personalized Support & Discretion: We measured the level of individualized care offered by each agency, including case management structure, emotional support, communication practices, and the ability to maintain privacy and discretion throughout the journey.

• Reputation Signals: We considered the agency’s history, including years in operation, independent testimonials, online reviews, legal or professional recognition, and any media coverage that reflects their credibility.

• Number of Babies Born: We looked at the total number of babies born through each program as a long-term indicator of operational maturity, reliability, and the trust families have placed in them over time.

• Quality of Donors and Surrogates: We evaluated surrogate and donor acceptance standards, recognizing that high-quality screening leads to better medical clearance rates, safer pregnancies, and stronger overall outcomes.

Best-for Categories

Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most personal decisions you will make on your path to parenthood. Rather than naming a single “best” agency, these scenario-based categories highlight where each organization truly shines, helping you make the right decision for you. Each recommendation is grounded in transparent data and proven experience.

<H3>Best for LGBTQIA+ and International Parents

For LGBTQIA+ and international intended parents, choosing the best agency means finding an inclusive, globally capable surrogacy agency that understands the legal and logistical complexities of global family-building. The agencies in this category have demonstrated exceptional capability in guiding parents across cultures, countries, and legal systems.

1. Growing Generations: A long-standing pioneer in LGBTQIA+ surrogacy, Growing Generations has supported LGBTQIA+ intended parents for nearly 30 years. 55% of our clients are LGBTQIA+ families, and we’ve helped intended parents welcome babies across 20 countries. Frequently referenced in high-profile media and trusted by families worldwide, we provide seamless cross-border support and a highly personalized, intentional experience for every client.

2. Circle Surrogacy: Circle Surrogacy is a long-established, full-service agency known for its inclusive programs and strong support of LGBTQIA+ families. With in-house legal experts specializing in cross-border parentage and citizenship, Circle offers guidance for international parents navigating complex regulations. Consistently high reviews reflect the agency’s reputation.

3. Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists: A legally focused agency led by reproductive law experts, it is well-suited for parents navigating international parentage requirements. Known for its strong legal guidance and coordination across varying jurisdictions, WSS provides reliable support for families who need navigation of multi-state or cross-border surrogacy laws.

   
   

Best for First Match Rate & Match Guarantee

For many intended parents, finding the right surrogate match is far more important than finding the fastest one. A high first-match rate is the result of a rigorous vetting process and a dedicated team that considers many different factors when matching an intended parent with a surrogate. When an agency prioritizes compatibility at this level, the entire journey begins on a stronger foundation.

1. Growing Generations: Growing Generations is recognized for its exceptional 98% first-match success rate, a result of our in-depth, proprietary screening process that prioritizes compatibility for both intended parents and surrogates. Our Surrogate Match Guarantee offers additional peace of mind for intended parents. In the rare case that a surrogate does not pass medical screening, the program covers up to $5,000 of screening expenses and provides a new surrogate match at no additional agency fee.

2. ConceiveAbilities: ConceiveAbilities reports a 97% first-match success rate through its “Matching Matters” process, which focuses on personality fit, motivation, and mutual expectations. Their emphasis on thoughtful pairing reflects the belief that strong journeys begin with genuine compatibility rather than speed.

Best Fixed-Cost / Price Predictability

For many intended parents, budgeting and finances are a very important factor in their surrogacy journey. This category highlights the best surrogacy agencies that offer predictable costs, so you can plan your journey with confidence.

1. Circle Surrogacy: Circle Surrogacy offers an all-inclusive surrogacy package priced at $189,500, covering agency services, surrogate compensation, legal work, and key insurance components. This model is intentionally structured to reduce unexpected costs. It gives you a clear picture of your overall investment.

2. American Surrogacy: American Surrogacy provides several full-service program options: Independent, Foundation, and Limited Risk. Each option gives intended parents transparency and more control over their budgeting approach.

Remember: Even with fixed-cost programs, certain events and expenses may fall outside the package, such as medical complications, twin pregnancies, or jurisdiction-specific legal needs. An important consideration is looking beyond the headline number. Review what is included, what is excluded, and how the agency supports you if your journey requires additional time or resources.

Best for Egg Donor Integration

For intended parents who need a donor in addition to a surrogate to build their family, it is important to find an agency that can guide them through both processes. This category highlights the best agencies offering both services for a more integrated experience.

1. Hatch: Hatch is one of the longest-running donor and gestational carrier programs in the country, known for its curated donor database and close partnerships with leading fertility clinics. Their in-house coordination creates a streamlined experience for families working with both a donor and a surrogate.

2. Family Source Consultants (FSC): FSC operates as a full-service agency for both egg donation and surrogacy, giving intended parents a single, synchronized point of support. Their programs are referenced in independent review directories such as MHB.

Best for Highly Vetted Surrogates & Donors

When trust and peace of mind are your highest priorities, an agency’s screening process is a key factor. We recommend choosing agencies with a highly selective screening process, one that ensures only the most qualified surrogates move forward. Here are the best agencies for this category:

1. Growing Generations: At Growing Generations, we maintain one of the most selective and highly vetted screening processes in the industry, accepting only the top 2% of surrogate applicants and the top 1% of egg donors. Each candidate completes an extensive medical evaluation, psychological assessment, and background check before being presented to intended parents. This level of diligence results in an extraordinarily low medical clearance failure rate of under 2%.

2. Circle Surrogacy: Circle Surrogacy is known for their careful and thorough surrogate screening process. Every surrogate completes a comprehensive three-step review that focuses on health, readiness, and long-term success. Once approved, Circle Surrogacy uses its MatchMade™ approach to pair surrogates and intended parents with exceptional care and attention. This proven process helps create strong, well-supported matches and sets the foundation for a safe and successful surrogacy journey.

Best for Complex Medical Pathways

Some surrogacy journeys require an added layer of medical expertise, whether due to high-risk obstetric needs, mosaic or chromosomal considerations, rare donor criteria, or the need for extensive monitoring. In these situations, choosing an agency specializing in both reproductive medicine and surrogacy is important. This category highlights agencies best equipped to navigate these complexities.

1. Growing Generations: Growing Generations offers advanced support for medically complex journeys through its partnerships with several top tier IVF centers and maternal fetal medicine specialists, OUMA providing advanced donor and gestational carrier screening, maternal-fetal medicine consultations, and risk-management pathways.

2. Hatch × PFCLA: The close partnership between Hatch and PFCLA supports coordinated medical workups, screening, and PGT processes, creating a seamless experience for parents who need added medical oversight.

Best for High-Net-Worth / Concierge-Level Experience

For some intended parents, concierge-level coordination, discretion, and highly personalized support are necessary for their family building needs. This category spotlights agencies best equipped to deliver sophisticated, seamless service tailored to families who prefer a more elevated and private journey.

1. Growing Generations: With a long-standing reputation, international reach, and decades of experience supporting high-profile families, Growing Generations offers a customized approach to parenthood. Each family works with a dedicated client specialist who manages no more than 30 cases, so you always speak with someone who knows your story and understands your needs. Our client specialists are trained in five-star hospitality practices, providing attentive, personalized care that helps your journey feel seamless from start to finish.

2. Elevate Baby: Elevate Baby provides a premium, concierge-style model designed specifically for high-net-worth families, offering after-hours availability, guided birth plans, and vetted donor and surrogate candidates.

Best for Proven Birth Outcomes

When evaluating surrogacy agencies, experience is one of the strongest indicators of trust. Agencies with thousands of successful births show strong credibility and earn the trust of families who return or refer others. A strong birth record shows consistent systems and a commitment to helping families grow. Here are the surrogacy agencies with the longest and best track records:

1. Circle Surrogacy: Circle Surrogacy is one of the longest-operating agencies in the United States, with more than 3,600 babies born through its programs and an impressive 99.1% journey success rate. Its long history and reliable outcomes make it a respected choice for families seeking experience-backed support.

   
   

2. Growing Generations: Growing Generations has welcomed over 2,400 babies into the world across nearly three decades, supported by our highly dedicated team and a vast network of clinical partners. We have a 99.3% success rate for our surrogacy journeys, highlighting our expert care and highly thorough surrogate vetting process.

   
   

How to Compare Agencies (Downloadable Checklist)

Choosing the right surrogacy agency becomes much easier when you have a structured way to compare your options. To support you, we created a downloadable checklist and comparison worksheet designed to help you ask the right questions, evaluate key criteria, and document each agency’s responses side by side.

FAQs

Every surrogacy journey comes with important questions, and having clear answers can make each step feel manageable. Here are some FAQs on the topics intended parents ask about most. Our goal is to help you feel informed and confident as you navigate your path to parenthood.

What’s usually included in surrogacy agency fees?

Surrogacy agency fees typically cover core services such as surrogate screening, matching, case management, legal introductions, and ongoing support. Medical procedures, insurance, attorney fees, and surrogate compensation are usually billed separately.

How long does surrogate matching take?

Matching timelines can vary, but most intended parents can expect the process to take three to nine months, depending on factors such as the state where your surrogate resides and the overall pool of available surrogates.

Do surrogacy agencies help with egg and sperm donation?

Yes. Many surrogacy agencies either coordinate donor services directly or partner with trusted donor programs. As a Growing Generations intended parent, you’ll have access to exceptionally vetted egg donors. We accept only the top 1% of applicants. We can also help guide you through sperm donation needs as well. Whether you require donor eggs, donor sperm, or both, we ensure every step is handled with care and expertise.

What should LGBTQIA+ or international parents look for in an agency?

If you’re an LGBTQIA+ and international intended parent, you want to look for agencies that understand different legal systems, parentage rules, and cross-border needs. It is important to choose a team that understands the unique pathways these journeys may require and can offer inclusive support at every step.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions you will make on your path to parenthood. Our goal is to give you the tools to make the best decision for you and your family. If you are seeking inclusive support and decades of leadership and expertise, Growing Generations stands out as a trusted option for intended parents around the world.

Sources

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American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2022). Recommendations for practices using gestational carriers: A committee opinion. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/recommendations-for-practices-using-gestational-carriers-a-committee-opinion-2022/

American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2023). Consideration of the gestational carrier: An ethics committee opinion. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/ethics-opinions/consideration-of-the-gestational-carrier-an-ethics-committee-opinion-2023/

Carrot Fertility. (n.d.). Meet Growing Generations: Mitera & Carrot partners making donor-assisted reproduction safer. https://www.get-carrot.com/blog/meet-growing-generations-mitera-carrot-partners-making-donor-assisted-reproduction-safer

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CNN. (2019, June 14). Same-sex surrogacy: Your questions answered. https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/14/health/same-sex-surrogacy-faq/index.html

Growing Generations. (n.d.). An inclusive agency with a global mission: Worldwide surrogacy specialists. https://www.gostork.com/an-inclusive-agency-with-a-global-mission-worldwide-surrogacy-specialists/

Growing Generations. (n.d.). Inclusive mission, global reach: The Growing Generations story. https://www.gostork.com/inclusive-mission-global-reach-the-growing-generations-story/

Men Having Babies. (n.d.). Surrogacy Advisor: Circle Surrogacy (Provider 17). https://surrogacyadvisor.menhavingbabies.org/providers/17

Men Having Babies. (n.d.). Surrogacy Advisor: Growing Generations (Provider 110). https://surrogacyadvisor.menhavingbabies.org/providers/110

Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles. (n.d.). Surrogacy services. https://www.pfcla.com/fertility-services/surrogacy

People Magazine. (n.d.). Why this doctor became a surrogacy expert. https://people.com/health/doctor-became-surrogacy-expert/

Surrogacy Network. (n.d.). Growing Generations reviews. https://surrogacynetwork.org/biz/growing-generations/#reviews-web