CA Intended Parent Process

For intended parents, the process of surrogacy can seem like a daunting one. Before embarking on your surrogacy journey, it is important to do the necessary research to ensure that the process is as seamless as possible. The good news is that for intended parents in California, the state’s laws are surrogacy-friendly, especially when compared to surrogacy laws in some other states. Working with a professional agency like Made in the USA Surrogacy drastically simplifies the entire process for you.

Here are a few things to know before becoming a parent via surrogacy:

California Surrogacy Laws

Before committing to surrogacy, be aware of the surrogacy laws in your state. As we mentioned, in California, the surrogacy process is relatively easier than in other states. For instance, pre-birth orders are permitted in California which allows intended parents to establish parental rights before the baby is born.

Commit to the Process

Surrogacy is a commitment. Intended parents should be aware that the process to find a surrogate could be in excess of a year. This time does not include the pregnancy. Each parent should be prepared for a two-year commitment to reach their end-goal.

Choose How You Will Find Your Surrogate:

Surrogate Agency Vs Independent Journey

Undergoing the surrogacy process with the help of professionals is highly recommended to ensure that you are properly protected. It also makes the entire process less stressful as you are working with experts who have experience and are knowledgeable about various aspects of the surrogacy process. Working with a surrogate agency in California is definitely the preferred method for parents who are looking for a surrogate. Doing an independent journey on your own could be a dangerous and ill-advised route for finding a surrogate.

An independent journey is only advised if your surrogate is in your personal family network and if you are well versed in Surrogacy Laws and Surrogate-Friendly states. All other forms of independent journeys with surrogates who are not vetted and screened properly can open parents up for much heartache, exhaustion, multiple failed matches, or even worse issues regarding the legality of parentage and compensation issues. These issues are already addressed and well thought out when working with a surrogacy agency such as Made in the USA Surrogacy.

Know the Financial Obligations

Surrogacy is not just a commitment of your time. The expenses associated with the surrogacy process must be taken into account before you decide to become a parent. The average surrogacy journey can range between $80,000 and $150,000. No doubt this is money well spent, but it is important that you know the costs associated with the process before embarking on a surrogacy journey so that you can budget accordingly.

Understand the Type of Surrogacy

There are two main types of surrogacy – gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy. In California, Gestational Surrogacy is the most popular and most used as well as the main type of surrogacy Made in the USA Surrogacy specializes in.

• Gestational Surrogacy: With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries the embryo made up of the intended mother’s egg and intended father’s sperm. This way, the intended parents are the biological parents of the baby. This method can also use donated sperm or eggs if necessary.
• Traditional Surrogacy: This involves using the egg of the surrogate instead of the egg of the intended mother. The surrogate’s egg is fertilized using the sperm of the intended father or a donor via intrauterine insemination. This means that the surrogate is the biological mother of the baby.

THE PROCESS:

The process of surrogacy is unique to each parent. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we customize the process to suit your specific needs and preferences. Generally, below are the steps you would take to become a parent via surrogacy using the professional services of a surrogacy agency.

1. Contact a Surrogacy Agency

When you’ve decided to become a parent via surrogacy, the first step is to contact a surrogacy agency. It is critical to do thorough research before selecting a surrogate agency to aid you in your journey.

In our initial consultation session with you, we will ask you some questions and based on the information you provide, we will give you an overview of the steps you would need to take to become an intended parent using the services of our agency.

2. Agency Retainer Agreement for Services

After the initial consultation, and if you have chosen Made in the USA Surrogacy to work with you to bring your dream of becoming a parent to fruition, the next step would be to sign an Agreement for Services with us which spells out the comprehensive list of surrogacy services we provide which include referrals, case management, counseling, and surrogate screening.

3. Surrogacy Case Management and Coordination Team

Congratulations! You have chosen to work with Made in the USA Surrogacy! Once you’ve signed up with us, you will be introduced to your surrogacy case management and coordination team, made up of our experts who have years of experience in coordinating and overseeing the surrogacy process. Throughout your surrogacy journey, you will be in communication with your team, who will not only guide you through each stage of the process but will also liaise with applicable medical professionals and surrogacy attorneys.

4. Donor and Surrogate Matching

We collect your information into a parent profile and develop your wants and needs regarding your potential surrogate match. All of our surrogates undergo our rigorous vetting and screening process for up to months before you are officially matched. We will provide custom surrogate profiles matched according to your wants and needs. Usually, it takes between 1 to 4 months surrogate for a surrogate match. In many cases, parents may wait longer depending on their wants and needs and the availability of surrogate prospects. For intended parents who need a referral with an IVF Clinic or help with egg or sperm donation, we will provide them with excellent professionals inside of our personal network to help.

5. Establish an Escrow Account and Initial Deposit

After matching with a surrogate prospect, you will be set up with a licensed and bonded escrow service. You will be asked to provide an initial deposit amount of $10,000. Once an agreement is signed with your surrogate mother, you will fund your escrow account fully up to your estimated journey within 3 months. A minimum amount of $10,000 will always remain in the account for up to 9 months after the child(ren) is born for any remaining medical bills or miscellaneous charges related to your surrogate journey according to your agreement.

6. Pregnancy and Birth

Once we’ve matched you with the right surrogate and once conception has taken place, you will be in constant communication with our team of experts who will ensure that you are aware of any and all updates regarding the pregnancy. Our team will provide counseling and will serve as a support system for you throughout the pregnancy as you await the birth of the baby. This includes mediating communication between you the intended parent(s), and the surrogate. Your legal team also works to establish your parental rights and your spouses (if applicable) before the baby is born. Our job is to make sure that the entire process is as seamless and stress-free as possible.