Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in California?
Most of our surrogates are located in Southern California, however we also have ladies in other parts of California as well as other states. Many other states are surrogate friendly so don’t worry if you are not a California resident.
How involved will the Intended Parents be?
It varies. Each match is an individual relationship and grows according to the involvement of the parties. Many times strong bonds are formed and a lot of communication and interaction takes place, other times there may not be as much communication but it will still be a respectful relationship.
How much can I expect to earn?
First time surrogates receive anywhere from $35,000 to $55,000. Experienced surrogates typically receive more.
Will I be required to travel?
We primarily work with Southern California IVF centers; however, we do also work with centers in N. California and Colorado and on occasion the east coast. You will never be matched with a family that would require travel unless you’ve agreed ahead of time that you are willing to travel. Should you be required to travel, all the expenses are paid by the intended parents. You would not be expected to pay for any expenses out of pocket.
Are the intended parents local?
While the majority of our parents are US residents, some are from other countries. The United States is a desirable country for surrogacy because there are established laws for the protection of both the intended parents and the surrogate. There is also plenty of quality medical resources. We will take your opinion of the intended parents location into consideration when making a match.
How long will it take before I am matched?
The amount of time it takes to get pre-approved is dependent on how quickly you can provide us with your completed application. Once that is received we will immediately move into the screening process. We have an abundance of intended parents waiting for a surrogate so we are usually able to make a match very quickly. The entire process can be as quick as 2 weeks, or take longer if there are any delays.
Are the intended parents also screened?
A Perfect Match receives our intended parents through referrals from IVF centers. Each IVF center has its own requirements for the screening of the intended parents and the majority requires their patients to undergo the same psychological evaluation as the surrogates. And, all intended parents are required by federal law to undergo specific genetic and sexually transmitted disease testing. We also require our intended parents to have a criminal background check, just like the surrogates.
How many embryos are transferred?
The final decision is usually made on day of embryo transfer; however, this amount is often predetermined during the matching process and the terms are written into the contract you will sign with your intended parents. The language will state the amount of fetuses you are willing to carry. Sometimes, however, everyone may agree to a different number to transfer once the quantity and quality of the embryos is determined. With the success rates most IVF centers now report, the number of embryos transferred is generally 2, but may go up to 3 if they are of poor quality. You should never agree to transfer more embryos than the amount of fetuses you are willing to carry unless you are also willing to reduce to one or two fetuses should all the transferred embryos develop.