Now accepting new surrogate applications in CaliforniaSee if you qualify →

Downey & Southeast LA County · Founded by a Former Surrogate

Surrogacy in Downeyand Southeast LA County

Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. California surrogates only.

Made in the USA Surrogacy – Sacramento-based, serving Downey and Southeast Los Angeles County. Helping families grow since 2017.

Downey has two award-winning hospitals, fertility clinics within city limits, and over 111,000 residents in one of the most family-oriented communities in Los Angeles County. What it hasn't had is a surrogacy agency that treats this city as more than a keyword on a map.

Made in the USA Surrogacy was founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate who built the agency from personal experience. Our surrogates live in California. Our screening goes deeper than most agencies are willing to publish. And our typical match happens in 3–6 months, not the 6–12+ that's become the industry norm.

Whether you're a woman in Downey considering surrogacy or intended parents looking for an agency with real process transparency, this page has the specifics that other surrogacy agencies leave out.

Local Resources

Surrogacy in Downey, California

Downey is the largest city in Southeast Los Angeles County, a suburban, family-oriented community where 40.1% of households include children under 18. It sits at the intersection of I-5 and I-105, which means fertility clinics across LA County and northern Orange County are a short drive in any direction. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.

Fertility Clinics Near Downey

RMA Southern California (Downey)

Located in Downey, part of the national RMA network. Full IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy support services. Telehealth consultations available.

Kaiser Permanente Downey – Infertility Clinic

9333 East Imperial Highway, Downey

Kaiser's Southern California infertility team based right in the city.

LA IVF Clinic

Board-certified REI Dr. Bayrak, 20+ years of experience, serving greater Los Angeles.

HRC Fertility (Fullerton)

Closest Orange County fertility clinic with full IVF and surrogacy services. Short drive south on I-5.

Delivery Hospitals in Downey

Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center

9333 East Imperial Highway, Downey

Baby-Friendly designated by WHO. Named Best Hospital for Maternity Care by Newsweek and U.S. News. 53 OB/GYNs, 64 pediatricians. Family-centered postpartum units with private rooms.

PIH Health Downey Hospital

11500 S. Brookshire Ave, Downey

Full maternity services serving Southeast LA County as part of the PIH Health network.

California Legal Framework

Pre-birth parentage orders mean both parents are on the birth certificate before the baby is born, regardless of marital status or genetic connection. No post-birth adoption. No waiting period. No uncertainty.

Downey families and surrogates benefit from California's strongest-in-the-nation legal protections. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.

Our Difference

Why Families and Surrogates in Downey Choose Us

Every agency page you visit will tell you they offer “comprehensive screening” and “great compensation.” Here's what we tell you that they won't.

Third-Party

Medical Screening

Screening That Protects Everyone

Every surrogate in our program completes comprehensive medical evaluation including third-party IVF nurse review of complete OB/GYN records for all pregnancies—not just the most recent. Every candidate also undergoes psychological assessment, financial stability verification, background screening, and unannounced nicotine testing.

We invest in this level of thoroughness because the quality of the match matters to everyone involved: surrogates, intended parents, and the baby.

Every Surrogate Lives in California

No cross-state coordination. No conflicting laws. No ambiguity about which legal framework applies. When your surrogate is a California resident, the entire journey stays within the strongest legal protections in the country.

For surrogates in Downey and the surrounding Southeast LA communities, that also means local support throughout your journey.

100%

California-Based

3–6 Months

Avg. Match Time

Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+

The industry average is 6–12 months or longer. We typically match families in 3–6 months because our surrogate compensation attracts a deeper pool of qualified candidates.

More candidates means more potential matches. More matches means faster, better outcomes for everyone.

Founded by a Former Surrogate

Samantha Giermek became a surrogate before she built this agency. She knows what the process feels like from the inside, what support actually looks like versus what agencies claim it looks like. That experience shapes everything from how we screen to how we communicate. Read more about our story.

“We spent over a year with another agency and never got a match. Samantha's team matched us in four months. The screening gave us confidence we hadn't felt before, and the communication was completely different from what we'd experienced.”

— Rebecca T., intended parent

Since 2017

Surrogate-Founded

For Surrogates

Become a Surrogate in Downey

If you're considering surrogacy, you're weighing two things at once: whether it's meaningful enough to commit your body and time to, and whether it's financially worth it. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we don't ask you to choose. Both matter.

Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. That reflects what surrogacy actually requires of you—physically, emotionally, and in the time it takes away from your daily life.

Benefits of Becoming a Surrogate

Full health insurance coverage

All pregnancy-related medical care, paid by the intended parents.

Monthly allowances

Maternity clothing, housekeeping, and childcare during appointments.

Independent legal representation

Paid for by intended parents, to protect your rights throughout the process.

Dedicated case manager support

From application through postpartum, including a direct line to someone who understands what you're going through.

The experience itself

Surrogacy is one of the most meaningful things you can do for another family, and the relationships built during the journey often last well beyond delivery.

What the Process Looks Like

1

Application

Takes about 10 minutes. We review your basic qualifications and health history.

2

Screening

Medical records review, psychological assessment, background check. Our team walks you through every step.

3

Matching

We connect you with intended parents based on values, preferences, and compatibility, not just availability.

4

Medical clearance

Your fertility clinic confirms you're ready for the transfer process. RMA Southern California in Downey and Kaiser Permanente Downey both support surrogacy-related care.

5

Legal

Independent legal representation for you, paid for by the intended parents. Your rights and compensation are formalized before anything medical begins.

6

Pregnancy and delivery

Ongoing support from your case manager throughout. Kaiser Permanente Downey and PIH Health Downey Hospital are both right in your community.

Surrogacy is physically demanding, emotionally complex, and not for everyone. We're honest about that. But for the right person, it's one of the most significant things you can do—and it can provide real financial stability for your family while you do it.

For full details, visit our surrogate requirements page or see the complete compensation breakdown.

For Intended Parents

Find a Surrogate in Downey

For intended parents, choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most consequential decisions in the process. You're trusting an organization to screen the person who will carry your child, manage the logistics of a journey that spans more than a year, and be available when things don't go as planned.

Made in the USA Surrogacy works with intended parents throughout California and beyond. Our surrogates are California residents, and our screening process produces a match success rate between 99.3% and 99.5%.

Our surrogates complete one of the most comprehensive screening processes in the industry. Combined with a 99.3%–99.5% success rate on embryo transfers, that screening translates to outcomes you can feel confident about.

How the Process Works for Intended Parents

1

Free consultation

A conversation about your goals, timeline, and questions. No pressure, no commitment.

2

Matching

We identify surrogate candidates who align with your preferences, values, and medical needs. Typical timeline: 3–6 months.

3

Medical clearance

Your fertility clinic evaluates the surrogate's readiness for embryo transfer. Downey-area families have multiple clinic options within minutes.

4

Legal agreements

Both parties get independent legal counsel. Contracts are finalized before any medical procedures.

5

Embryo transfer and pregnancy

Coordinated with your fertility clinic, with ongoing support from our team.

6

Birth and parentage

California's pre-birth parentage order means you're on the birth certificate before delivery.

The full journey from consultation to birth is typically 18–24 months. Our step-by-step surrogacy process page has the complete breakdown.

Investment

Downey Surrogacy Costs

Total surrogacy investment typically starts at $160,000+, covering surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF and medical expenses, legal fees, and insurance.

Total Estimated Investment

$160,000+

Surrogate compensation and allowances$65,000–$90,000+
Agency feesProgram coordination, matching, case management
IVF and medical expensesVaries by clinic and number of transfer cycles
Legal feesIndependent attorneys for both parties
InsuranceSurrogate medical coverage

California's clear legal framework can simplify, and in some cases reduce, legal costs compared to states where surrogacy law is less established. And higher surrogate compensation isn't just a cost—it attracts more qualified candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey.

For a full breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.

Southeast LA Coverage

Serving Southeast LA County and Beyond

We serve families and surrogates throughout Downey, Norwalk, Bellflower, Cerritos, Lakewood, and all of California.

Learn more about surrogacy in California across all the cities we serve.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a surrogate in Downey?

Start with a 10-minute application through Made in the USA Surrogacy. You’ll need to be 21–40 years old, have carried at least one pregnancy to term, have a healthy pregnancy history, be a non-smoker, and have a stable living situation. Our team walks you through screening, matching, and every step that follows. See our full surrogate requirements.

How much does surrogacy cost in Downey?

Total surrogacy costs typically start at $160,000 and can exceed $200,000 depending on medical needs and the number of transfer cycles. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF, legal fees, and insurance. See our full cost breakdown.

Are there surrogacy agencies near Downey?

Made in the USA Surrogacy serves Downey and all of Southeast Los Angeles County. We’re a full-service surrogacy agency founded by a former surrogate, working with both surrogates and intended parents throughout California. While our headquarters are in Roseville, we coordinate surrogacy journeys statewide, and Downey-area families have access to local fertility clinics like RMA Southern California and delivery hospitals like Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center.

How much do surrogates earn in Downey, California?

At Made in the USA Surrogacy, surrogate compensation ranges from $65,000 to $90,000+, depending on experience and circumstances, with additional allowances throughout the journey. See our full compensation details.

What fertility clinics near Downey work with surrogacy agencies?

RMA Southern California has a location in Downey with full IVF and surrogacy support. Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center operates an infertility clinic at 9333 East Imperial Highway. LA IVF Clinic, HRC Fertility in Fullerton, and Reproductive Fertility Center (LA, Irvine, Glendora) are all accessible from Downey via freeway.

Start a Conversation

“I looked into surrogacy for almost a year before I applied anywhere. What made me choose Made in the USA was how honest they were from the first conversation. They didn't sugarcoat the process, and they didn't pressure me. My case manager checked in regularly, and that made the whole thing feel personal.”

— Jenny M., surrogate

Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies that serve the Downey area, we'd rather answer your questions honestly than pitch you on a decision you're not ready to make.

For Surrogates

The application takes about 10 minutes. No commitment. It's the first step in finding out if surrogacy is right for you.

See If You Qualify

For Intended Parents

A free consultation is a conversation, not a sales call. We'll walk through your situation and answer your questions, even if next steps aren't with us.

Free Consultation

Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Roseville, California. Founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. Serving families and surrogates throughout Downey, Norwalk, Bellflower, Paramount, South Gate, Lakewood, Cerritos, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, Whittier, and all of California.

Made in the USA

How can we help?