Surrogacy for Intended Parents
April 2, 2026 at 10:15:00 AM
Surrogacy is a family-building process in which a surrogate carries and gives birth to a child for the intended parent(s). In modern surrogacy, the pregnancy is created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), and legal agreements establish your rights and responsibilities as an intended parent throughout the journey.
For readers who want a deeper overview of how surrogacy works, you can explore our “What Is Surrogacy” guide for a more detailed introduction to the process. Today, surrogacy is a carefully coordinated path to parenthood supported by medical professionals, legal frameworks, and experienced agencies. The following facts highlight key insights into this modern approach to family building.
Fact #1 – Gestational Surrogacy Is the Most Common Form Today
Most surrogacy arrangements today involve gestational surrogacy, which has become the modern standard. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries a pregnancy created through IVF using an embryo that is not genetically related to her. The embryo may be created using the intended parents’ genetic material, or donor eggs or sperm.
This differs from traditional surrogacy, a far less common form of surrogacy in which the surrogate’s own egg is used. Because traditional surrogacy involves a genetic connection to the child, it presents additional legal and emotional complexities. It is rarely practiced today.
In gestational arrangements, the surrogate plays an essential role in carrying the pregnancy while the intended parents remain the child’s legal parents from the outset of the journey.
Fact #2 – Surrogacy Laws Vary by State and Country
When building your family through surrogacy, it is important to know that legal frameworks differ significantly depending on location. Surrogacy-friendly states often have established legal processes that support intended parents and surrogates, while other jurisdictions may have different rules or limitations.
Many surrogacy journeys involve legal agreements that outline responsibilities, expectations, and protections for all parties. In many jurisdictions, courts may also issue pre-birth orders, which confirm the intended parents’ legal parentage before the child is born.
Because laws vary widely, experienced professionals help coordinate the legal aspects of the journey as part of the overall surrogacy process. At Growing Generations, we connect you with top surrogacy attorneys who can help you navigate the legal requirements of your surrogacy journey.
Fact #3 – Surrogates Undergo Extensive Screening
Before being matched with intended parents, potential surrogates complete a comprehensive screening process designed to support a healthy and responsible surrogacy journey.
Before matching, Growing Generations reviews each candidate's medical records and conducts a risk assessment with Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists, alongside psychological evaluation, criminal background checks, and income verification. Full in-person medical screening takes place after a match is confirmed and before legal agreements are finalized. Surrogates are accepted from the top 2% of all applicants, and 98% of those who reach in-person medical screening pass it.
These screening steps are an important part of maintaining ethical standards and ensuring that both surrogates and intended parents begin the process with clear expectations and appropriate support.
Fact #4 – Intended Parents Come from Many Backgrounds
Surrogacy supports a wide range of people who are building families. Intended parents include couples experiencing infertility, individuals pursuing parenthood on their own, and LGBTQIA+ families who require the help of a surrogate.
Every family’s path to surrogacy is unique. Some intended parents pursue surrogacy after years of fertility treatment, while others may begin the process as their primary path to parenthood.
Growing Generations works with all family types and has been among the first agencies dedicated to helping gay, single, and HIV+ men become parents.
Fact #5 – Surrogacy Is a Structured, Multi-Step Process
Surrogacy is not an informal arrangement. It is a carefully coordinated process that unfolds in several major phases. Each step is designed to protect everyone involved while ensuring the process moves forward thoughtfully and responsibly.
Common stages of a surrogacy journey include:
Matching: Intended parents are matched with a gestational surrogate based on compatibility and shared expectations. This phase often includes conversations that help both parties get to know one another and ensure they feel comfortable moving forward together.
Legal Agreements: Once a match is confirmed and the surrogate has completed in-person medical screening, attorneys draft and review contracts that outline the roles and responsibilities of each party. These contracts address areas such as compensation, medical decision-making, and communication during the pregnancy.
Medical Preparation and Embryo Transfer: Once legal agreements are finalized, fertility specialists begin preparing for embryo transfer through IVF. This phase may include additional evaluations, medication protocols, and coordination with the intended parents' clinic. The goal is to create the best possible conditions for a successful pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Prenatal Care: If the embryo transfer is successful, the surrogate continues through pregnancy with regular prenatal care and monitoring from healthcare providers. Intended parents typically remain involved through updates, appointments when possible, and ongoing communication.
Each of these stages creates a clear framework for the journey ahead. Working with an experienced agency means each stage is coordinated with the right professionals — legal, medical, and clinical — so nothing falls through the gaps.
Fact #6 – Compensation Is Structured and Regulated
Another common misconception is that surrogacy compensation is informal. In reality, compensation is carefully structured through formal agreements.
Financial arrangements are outlined in legally reviewed contracts and managed through professional escrow systems that distribute funds according to the terms of the agreement. Growing Generations coordinates with professional escrow managers to ensure funds are distributed according to the terms of the agreement. These arrangements often account for base compensation as well as pregnancy-related expenses.
This structured approach helps maintain transparency and ensures that financial responsibilities are clearly defined from the beginning of the journey.
Fact #7 – Surrogacy Requires Emotional Support for All Parties
Surrogates, intended parents, and their families often benefit from strong support systems that may include counselors, coordinators, and experienced professionals who guide communication throughout the process.
Thoughtful preparation and open dialogue help ensure that the relationship between intended parents and surrogates remains collaborative, respectful, and centered on the shared goal of welcoming a child into the world.
Fact #8 – International Surrogacy Requires Additional Coordination
In today’s globalized world, some intended parents pursue surrogacy outside their home country. International surrogacy journeys require additional coordination and planning. Travel logistics, citizenship documentation for the child, and legal coordination across jurisdictions are important considerations when navigating international arrangements.
Because requirements can differ between countries, intended parents often work with experienced professionals who help manage these cross-border considerations while ensuring the process remains organized and compliant with applicable laws. Growing Generations has worked with clients from more than 20 countries, coordinating the legal and logistical requirements of international surrogacy journeys.
Fact #9 – Success Rates Depend on Multiple Medical Factors
Surrogacy outcomes are influenced by several medical considerations. Elements such as embryo quality, the health of the surrogate, and guidance from fertility specialists all play important roles in determining the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Fertility clinics work closely with intended parents and surrogates to evaluate these factors and develop a treatment plan designed to support the best possible outcomes. Growing Generations works with its Top 15 U.S. clinic partners and reports a 99.3% surrogacy journey success rate — a figure that reflects both the rigor of its surrogate screening process and the quality of its clinic partnerships.
Fact #10 – Surrogacy in 2026 Is More Transparent and Regulated Than Ever
Over the past three decades, surrogacy has shifted from an informal, largely unregulated arrangement to a structured process supported by legal contracts, professional screening standards, and experienced agency oversight.
Pre-birth orders — court orders establishing legal parentage before a child is born — are now recognized in an increasing number of U.S. states, offering greater legal clarity for intended parents than was available in earlier decades. The range of families pursuing surrogacy has also broadened: LGBTQ+ intended parents, single parents, and international families are an increasingly significant part of the surrogacy landscape.
Agencies that have operated across these changes bring experience and institutional knowledge that is difficult to replicate. Growing Generations has been coordinating surrogacy journeys since 1996 — across shifts in law, medicine, and the families the field serves.
Conclusion
Surrogacy today is far more structured and professionally coordinated than it may appear from the outside. From comprehensive screening and legal frameworks to medical oversight and emotional support, the process reflects a highly collaborative approach to family building.
Understanding these key facts can help you approach the journey with confidence. If you are exploring surrogacy, Growing Generations case specialists can walk you through what the process looks like for your specific circumstances. Learn more about the intended parent journey.
Related Posts
KNOWN VS ANONYMOUS DONORS FOR LGBTQIA+ FAMILIES: THE EMOTIONAL PROS/CONS
For LGBTQIA+ intended parents choosing surrogacy as a path to parenthood, the choice of using a donor in your family-building process carries emotional and practical considerations that will shape your family’s story. Explore the emotional, legal, and long-term considerations of choosing a known vs. anonymous donor for LGBTQIA+ families in this article.
.png)
20 CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK A SURROGACY AGENCY BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions you will make on your path to parenthood. Explore this agency interview checklist with questions to help you find the right fit for you and the family you are building.
.png)
ALTRUISTIC VS. COMMERCIAL SURROGACY: PROS, CONS, AND LEGAL REALITIES
If you're weighing altruistic and commercial surrogacy, the distinction often starts with one question: do you have someone in your life who has offered to carry, or are you starting the search through an agency? Sometimes, that person is someone already in your life, such as a relative, friend, or loved one who offers to become a surrogate.
.jpg)
BEST SURROGACY AGENCIES IN THE U.S. (2025): AN EXPERT GUIDE FOR INTENDED PARENTS
Choosing the right surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions you will make on your path to parenthood. Download our checklist and comparison worksheet designed to help you ask the right questions, evaluate key criteria, and document each agency’s responses side by side.
%20AN%20EXPERT%20GUIDE%20FOR%20INTENDED%20PARENTS.png)
BONDING WITH YOUR SURROGATE BABY BEFORE BIRTH
As an intended parent, you may feel left out on pre-birth bonding. However, there are some solutions. Find out more.
BREAKING BARRIERS WITH SURROGACY FOR HIV POSITIVE COUPLES
Thanks to medical advancements like sperm washing and viral load monitoring, surrogacy for HIV positive couples is now a safe, empowering path to parenthood.
BREASTFEEDING OPTIONS IN SURROGACY: INDUCED LACTATION, PUMPING, AND FORMULA PLANS
For intended parents, feeding decisions after surrogacy involve considerations that standard postpartum resources rarely cover. This guide offers practical insight into infant feeding after surrogacy. Whether you are considering breastfeeding through induced lactation, working with your surrogate to provide breast milk, or planning to use formula, each path is valid. There is no single “right” choice.
CREATING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SURROGATE
It’s important during this phase of your process to establish the foundation of your relationship with your surrogate. Here’s what I hear from surrogates about what they are looking for.
CREATING A RESPECTFUL SURROGATE RELATIONSHIP
At the heart of every surrogacy journey is a relationship built on trust, communication, mutual respect, and shared goals. While the process itself involves medical and legal procedures, the connection between you and your surrogate becomes the emotional foundation that carries the experience forward. Learn how to foster that connection from matching through post-birth.
DOES A SURROGATE SHARE DNA WITH THE BABY? THE GENETICS EXPLAINED
Wondering whether your baby will share DNA with the surrogate? Learn how genetics work in surrogacy, including whose DNA the baby inherits and how factors like blood type are determined.
.png)
FLYING WITH A NEWBORN
Surrogate births often occur far from where the baby will live, requiring a plane ride home, which can be stressful with a newborn. Read our travel tips here!
FROM MATCH TO BIRTH: HOW SURROGACY WORKS STEP-BY-STEP
Explore each stage of the surrogacy process—consultation, matching, embryo transfer, legal steps, and delivery—in this clear step‑by‑step guide for intended parents.
.png)
GAY DADS’ FIRST BIG CHOICE: HOW TO CHOOSE AN EGG DONOR
For many LGBTQIA+ couples, finding an egg donor is one of the ways they are able to start a family and build their legacy. And if it feels like a very emotional decision, you’re not alone. See our guide for gay dads on choosing an egg donor, covering donor options, genetic considerations, emotional factors, and how to approach this first major surrogacy decision.
.png)
HOW IS ALTRUISTIC SURROGACY DIFFERENT FROM COMMERCIAL SURROGACY?
While having altruistic motives, surrogates at Growing Generations do receive compensation. We dispel the myth, however, that surrogacy commoditizes women.
HOW TO FIND A SURROGATE
Finding a gestational surrogate is the first step towards your parenthood journey. This involves identifying, screening, and matching with a gestational carrier who meets medical, legal, and personal criteria. Explore safe options, agency vs. independent paths, legal considerations, and expert guidance for intended parents.
INTENDED PARENTS: WHAT TO PACK FOR DELIVERY
There are resources out there for what to pack for delivery for surrogates & mothers, but what about intended parents?
.png)
INTERNATIONAL SURROGACY LAWS: WHAT EVERY INTENDED PARENT SHOULD UNDERSTAND BEFORE CHOOSING A DESTINATION
International surrogacy laws vary significantly by country, and for intended parents building a family across borders, understanding those differences is one of the most important steps you can take. Growing Generations explains what families need to know about legal recognition, citizenship, and why the U.S. remains the most legally stable destination.
LIFE AFTER DELIVERY: NURTURING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SURROGATE
The day your baby is born is the beginning of a new chapter, not only for you as a parent, but for the relationship you have built with your surrogate. Growing Generations has supported more than 2,400 families through the surrogacy process, including through the post-birth transition.
.jpg)
PGS VS. PGD IN SURROGACY: WHICH GENETIC TEST IS BEST FOR YOUR EMBRYOS?
When you’re pursuing surrogacy through IVF, you may hear terms like PGS, PGD, PGT-A, PGT-M, or PGT-SR during your IVF process. These tests are designed to give your fertility team more information about your embryos before transfer, but they’re not all used for the same reason.
PRE-BIRTH ORDERS IN SURROGACY: WHAT INTENDED PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
For intended parents, the legal side of surrogacy can feel like the most unfamiliar part of your surrogacy journey. Learn what a pre-birth order in surrogacy is, how it works, when it’s filed, and how it establishes legal parentage before birth. Understand state differences and what to expect as intended parents.
RECIPROCAL IVF 101: A ‘SHARED MOTHERHOOD’ GUIDE FOR TWO-MOM FAMILIES
For many two-mom families, including lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and non-binary individuals with female reproductive anatomy, the journey to parenthood can include the opportunity to share a meaningful role in bringing their child into the world. Learn how reciprocal IVF works for lesbian couples, including the medical process, emotional considerations, and what to expect when building a shared motherhood journey.
REQUIREMENTS FOR INTENDED PARENTS: AGE LIMITS, ELIGIBILITY & WHAT TO EXPECT
For many people exploring surrogacy as a path to parenthood, one of the very first questions is, “Do I qualify to become an intended parent?”, more specifically, “Is there an age limit for intended parents?” This guide answers your questions about age limits, emotional challenges, or legal considerations.
SINGLE-PARENT SURROGACY: FINANCING, LEGAL PREP, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
The choice to become a parent on your own reflects a clear vision about the family you want to build. Single-parent surrogacy is empowering, and more people are choosing to pursue the path to parenthood independently. Learn how single-parent surrogacy works, including costs, legal preparation, timelines, and emotional support for solo intended parents pursuing parenthood.
SURROGACY AGREEMENTS EXPLAINED: LEGAL MUST-HAVES FOR U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL PARENTS
When you begin your surrogacy journey, you carry a hope for welcoming a baby with you. Alongside that joy and anticipation, there is also a real need for clarity and protection. That’s exactly where a surrogacy agreement comes in. Let’s walk through why it matters.
.png)
SURROGACY COST BREAKDOWN: WHAT INTENDED PARENTS REALLY PAY
Learn what surrogacy really costs, from agency fees to IVF, and how first-time intended parents can plan and budget with confidence.
.png)
SURROGACY FOR LGBT COUPLES: NAVIGATING THE PATH TO PARENTHOOD WITH GROWING GENERATIONS
Growing Generations is dedicated to helping LGBTQIA+ intended parents build their families through surrogacy Discover what you need to know to navigate the surrogacy process and how Growing Generations supports you through each step.
SURROGACY FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES: LEGAL, MEDICAL, AND EMOTIONAL TIPS FOR LGBTQIA+ FAMILIES
Gay and LGBTQIA+ intended parents often face unique hurdles and challenges during the family-building process. Discover how Growing Generations helps same-sex couples navigate the surrogacy process.
SURROGACY FOR THE SINGLE PARENT: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE GROWING YOUR FAMILY
The surrogacy process can seem daunting to a single intended parent. Discover what to expect from these unique challenges and learn some tips for preparing for single parent surrogacy.
SURROGACY INSURANCE 101: COVERAGE OPTIONS, GAPS, AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR JOURNEY
Learn how surrogacy insurance works — what’s covered, what’s not, and how to protect your journey.
SURROGACY OVERVIEW FOR INTENDED PARENTS: WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR JOURNEY
Beginning the surrogacy process is a significant step toward building your family. This guide offers an overview of what you can expect as an intended parent.
.png)
SURROGACY TIMELINE CALCULATOR: HOW LONG EACH PHASE TAKES AND WHY
When you begin exploring surrogacy, it is natural to wonder how long the journey will take. Understanding the surrogacy timeline can help you feel more prepared as you begin planning your path to parenthood. Learn more in our article.
.png)
TELLING YOUR BOSS ABOUT SURROGACY
Telling your boss that you are going to be a surrogate can be daunting. Learn how to reveal this news properly in the work place.
THE CONTRACTING PHASE
Growing Generations is proud to have a talented legal team that helps draft contracts between all parties. Learn more about the contracting phase today.
THE FACTS ABOUT SURROGACY: DEBUNKING 6 MYTHS
Let’s set the record straight. Find out the the truth behind 6 common surrogacy myths as you get started on your surrogacy journey.
THE POST BIRTH RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SURROGATE
The relationship between the intended parents & the surrogate will change after childbirth, & in different ways depending on the families involved. Learn more.
THIRD PARTY REPRODUCTION: SURROGACY AND DONATION OVERVIEW
Starting a family doesn’t always follow the path we imagine, and for many people, that journey can come with questions, challenges, and hope all at once. Third-party reproduction offers another way to build your family when traditional conception isn’t possible or doesn’t match your circumstances. Learn more here.
TIPS FOR MEETING YOUR SURROGATE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Navigate the crucial first meeting between surrogates and intended parents with confidence. Growing Generations shares insightful tips on preparation, communication etiquette, and setting expectations, ensuring a smooth start to your surrogacy journey.
TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POTENTIAL SURROGATE (AND THE ANSWERS TO LOOK FOR)
Meeting a potential surrogate brings up a mix of emotions, and it is completely normal for you to feel this way. After all, this is a big step in your surrogacy journey. This guide is here to help you approach that first conversation with confidence. It’s designed to help you make a connection with your surrogate, not as legal or medical advice.
.png)
TRADITIONAL VS GESTATIONAL SURROGACY: KEY DIFFERENCES EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW
As you consider surrogacy to grow your family, understanding the pros and cons of gestational versus traditional surrogacy is vital. Discover what you need to know before making this important decision.
USING BOTH DADS’ SPERM: WHAT COUPLES USUALLY DECIDE (AND WHY)
For gay dads pursuing surrogacy, deciding whose sperm to use is one of the first major decisions in their path to parenthood. Here we explore your options for shared cycles, the medical realities, emotional factors, and practical guidance for family building.
.png)
WHAT ARE INTENDED PARENTS? MEANING, DEFINITION & WHO THEY ARE IN SURROGACY
Intended parents are the legal parents of the child carried by a surrogate. In gestational surrogacy, the model used today by most U.S. agencies, the surrogate has no genetic or parental claim to the baby. Read more about the role in our guide.
WHAT IS A PRE-BIRTH ORDER
Completely understanding birth orders can prevent unnecessary issues for surrogates & IPs. Learn about them here.
WHAT IS SURROGACY? A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME INTENDED PARENTS
Discover everything you need to know to start your journey as first-time intended parents, from how surrogacy works and what it costs to the legal steps and what to expect.
WHEN TO ARRIVE FOR THE BIRTH: INTERNATIONAL IP
Timing your arrival for the birth of your surrogate baby can be tricky, especially when you're traveling from over seas.
WHEN YOUR SURROGATE BABY IS IN THE NICU: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
A stay in the NICU can be challenging both emotionally and logistically for new parents. It can be helpful to have a quick guide of what to expect and how to react. Get it here.
