Become a Parent
Surrogacy and Egg Donation Costs and Planning
Building a family through surrogacy or egg donation is a significant personal and financial investment. An early, transparent conversation about costs helps you plan with more confidence and distinguish predictable expenses from costs that can change during a journey.
Cost Categories
What to expect, financially.
Every journey is itemized, not bundled into one opaque number. Here is what each component costs, for both paths.
Surrogacy cycle
Base compensation for your surrogatedepending on experience$50,000–$90,000
Start of Medicationexcluding birth control or antibiotics $1,000
Embryo transferper transfer $1,000
Positive pregnancy testwith a beta that exceeds 100 $1,000
Monthly allowance~12 months, for miscellaneous expenses $300 / mo
Maternity clothing $700
Cesarean section $5,000
Multiplesper additional child $10,000
Lost wages reimbursed as incurred
Psychological screeningsurrogate & spouse/partner, joint evaluation with intended parents where required$500–$1,500
Escrow agent services$1,500–$2,000
Attorney feessurrogate’s independent contract review$1,500–$2,000
Attorney feesdrafting the contract and pleadings$5,500–$7,500
Travel expensesinitial clinic consultation and transfer: airfare and lodging for surrogate + companion, depending on surrogate location$1,000–$8,000
Egg donation cycle
Compensation for your egg donorbased on her experienceup to $8,000
Psychological evaluationegg donor$400–$500
Legal fees$800–$1,200
Local monitoring$1,500–$2,500
Travel for evaluation & retrieval (includes companion)depending on egg donor location$1,000–$8,000
Frequently Asked Cost Questions
What people ask before they commit.
How much does surrogacy cost?
There is no single number that applies to every journey. Agency services, surrogate compensation, fertility treatment, insurance, legal work, escrow, travel, and pregnancy-related circumstances can differ significantly. During your consultation, we review a detailed budget framework based on the information available at that stage.
What is included in the Open Arms Surrogacy & Egg Donation agency fee?
Open Arms offers two surrogacy program options designed to meet different levels of support and service. During your consultation, we’ll learn more about your needs, help determine which program is the best fit, and walk you through the services included in that option.
Which costs are paid to third parties?
Fertility clinic treatment, medications, legal services, insurance-related services, escrow administration, psychological or medical screening, and some travel or professional services may be paid separately. The exact structure depends on the journey and agreements.
Why can the final cost change?
Medical needs, insurance, additional travel, clinic treatment, legal requirements, pregnancy circumstances, and other events can affect the final budget. A good financial plan includes contingency funds for costs that cannot be known with certainty at the beginning.
How does escrow fit into a surrogacy journey?
An independent escrow arrangement is commonly used to hold and disburse funds according to the legal agreement and program requirements. Your attorney and escrow professional should explain the specific funding and disbursement terms for your journey.