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San Diego, California · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy inSan Diego, CA
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. Thorough screening, thoughtful matching.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, Sacramento-based, serving San Diego and all of California.
“The transparency throughout the entire process gave us confidence.”
— Daniel and Sarah K., intended parents
San Diego has more surrogacy agencies per capita than most cities in the country. Some are physician-led practices that claim to match surrogates in a week. Others are national agencies with a San Diego page that reads the same as their Phoenix page. Neither approach tells you much about what screening actually involves.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento, not San Diego. What we are is a California surrogacy agency where every surrogate lives in-state, screening is thorough enough that we can describe it in detail, and matching takes 3–6 months because the quality of the match matters more than the speed of it. Our founder, Samantha Giermek, built this agency from personal surrogacy experience.
Whether you're considering becoming a surrogate in San Diego or you're intended parents evaluating agencies, here are the specifics most surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Surrogacy in San Diego, California
San Diego has a strong fertility medicine infrastructure with clinics that specialize in gestational surrogacy. Your fertility clinic handles the IVF cycle, embryo transfer, monitoring, and coordination with your OB through delivery. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinics in San Diego
San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC)
Over 20,000 babies since 1989 and more than 500 surrogacy cases per year. One of the most recognized fertility centers in the world for gestational surrogacy.
California Center for Reproductive Medicine (CACRM)
An in-house surrogacy program with fertility specialists directly involved in every stage of the process.
Fertility Institute of San Diego
A gestational surrogacy program built around compassionate, individualized care.
Reproductive Partners San Diego
Comprehensive fertility care with experienced surrogacy coordination.
Gen 5 Fertility Center
Full assisted reproductive technology services including IVF and surrogacy support.
Delivery Hospitals
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
San Diego's top-rated maternity hospital with a Level III NICU and one of the highest delivery volumes in the region.
UC San Diego Health (Jacobs Medical Center)
Academic medical center with advanced neonatal capabilities and 24-hour OB coverage.
Scripps Mercy Hospital
Established maternity services with comprehensive labor and delivery support.
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.
San Diego families and surrogates benefit from California's strongest-in-the-nation legal protections plus access to world-class fertility clinics and delivery hospitals. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
Why Families and Surrogates in San Diego Choose Us
Other agencies will describe their screening as “comprehensive” and their matching as “efficient.” Here's what we tell you that they don't.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening That Most Agencies Won't Describe
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 do this because the quality of the match matters to everyone involved—surrogates, intended parents, and the baby. A thorough process protects all three.
Every Surrogate Lives in California
No cross-state coordination. No conflicting legal frameworks. When your surrogate is a California resident with proximity to San Diego's fertility clinics, the journey stays within the strongest surrogacy legal protections in the country.
For surrogates, it means local support from an agency rooted in California.
100%
California-Based
3–6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+
The industry average for surrogate matching is 6–12 months. Some intended parents wait over a year. We typically match in 3–6 months because our surrogate compensation—$65,000+ base for first-time surrogates—attracts a deeper pool of qualified candidates.
We take 3–6 months because the quality of the match matters. A strong match between a surrogate and intended parents, built on shared values and genuine compatibility, leads to a better experience for everyone. Rushing that process helps no one.
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, and what women need to know before they commit. That experience informs our screening, our case management, and the way we communicate. Read more about our story.
“I talked to two San Diego agencies and one in LA before I found MUSA. The San Diego agencies felt clinical. MUSA felt personal. Samantha's background as a surrogate changes the entire dynamic. They don't just manage the process. They understand it.”
— Alicia W., surrogate, San Diego
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Become a Surrogate in San Diego
If you're a woman in San Diego thinking about surrogacy, you're weighing whether it's meaningful enough to give your body and your time, and whether the financial side reflects what the commitment actually requires. We don't ask you to pick one or the other. Both matter.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. First-time surrogates start at $65,000+ base. Experienced surrogates start at $70,000+. Total compensation, including monthly allowances, milestone payments, and full coverage of pregnancy-related expenses, reaches $90,000 or more depending on your situation.
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
From application through postpartum, including someone who understands what you're going through.
The experience itself
One of the most meaningful things you can do for another family. Relationships often last well beyond delivery.
What the Process Looks Like
Application
Takes about 10 minutes. We review your basic qualifications and health history.
Screening
Medical records review by a third-party IVF nurse, psychological assessment, background check, and more. Our team guides you through every step.
Matching
We connect you with intended parents based on values, preferences, and compatibility.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic, often one of the San Diego clinics listed above, confirms readiness for embryo transfer.
Legal
Independent legal representation for you, paid for by the intended parents. Your rights and compensation are locked in before anything medical begins.
Pregnancy and delivery
Ongoing support from your case manager, from transfer through postpartum.
Surrogacy is physically demanding, emotionally complex, and not for everyone. We're upfront 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 along the way.
For full details, visit our surrogate requirements page or see the complete compensation breakdown.
For Intended Parents
Find a Surrogate in San Diego
For intended parents, choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most consequential decisions in the process. You need an organization that screens thoroughly, communicates transparently, and stays available when the plan changes.
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, every surrogate has cleared comprehensive medical, psychological, and background screening before being presented to intended parents. We review complete OB/GYN records for every pregnancy, not abbreviated summaries. Our gestational surrogacy success rate is 99.3%–99.5%, and that reflects the depth of our screening process.
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 with our surrogates, that screening translates to outcomes you can feel confident about.
How the Process Works for Intended Parents
Free consultation
A conversation about your goals, timeline, and questions. No pressure.
Matching
We identify surrogate candidates aligned with your preferences, values, and medical needs. Typical timeline: 3–6 months.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic evaluates the surrogate's readiness for embryo transfer.
Legal agreements
Both parties receive independent legal counsel. Contracts are finalized before any medical procedures.
Embryo transfer and pregnancy
Coordinated with your fertility clinic, with ongoing support.
Birth and parentage
California's pre-birth parentage order means both parents are 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
San Diego 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+
San Diego costs are generally in line with broader Southern California pricing. Higher surrogate compensation reflects the true demands of surrogacy and attracts more qualified, committed candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey.
For a full breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.
San Diego County
Serving San Diego and Surrounding Areas
We serve families and surrogates throughout San Diego County and all of Southern California.
Chula Vista
South Bay
Oceanside
North County Coastal
Escondido
North County Inland
Carlsbad
North County Coastal
La Jolla
Coastal San Diego
El Cajon
East County
Learn more about surrogacy in California across all the cities we serve.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a surrogate in San Diego?
Start with an application that takes about 10 minutes. Requirements include being 21–40 years old, having carried at least one pregnancy to term, having a healthy pregnancy history, being a non-smoker, and having a stable living situation. See our full surrogate requirements.
How much does surrogacy cost in San Diego?
Total surrogacy costs typically start at $160,000 and can exceed $200,000 depending on medical needs and the number of IVF transfer cycles. See our full full cost breakdown.
What are the best surrogacy agencies in San Diego?
Look for an agency that can describe its screening process in detail, publish matching timelines, and explain compensation transparently. San Diego has several agencies, including local physician-led practices and national organizations, but few will give you specifics on how they evaluate surrogates or what their matching process involves.
How much do surrogates earn in San Diego, California?
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, base compensation starts at $65,000+ for first-time surrogates and $70,000+ for experienced surrogates. Total compensation can reach $90,000 or more. See our full compensation details.
What are the benefits of being a surrogate in San Diego?
Benefits include $65,000–$90,000+ in total compensation, full health insurance coverage for pregnancy-related care, monthly allowances, independent legal representation, dedicated case manager support, and the experience of helping a family in one of the most meaningful ways possible.
Start a Conversation
“We chose MUSA over two San Diego agencies because they were the only ones who could walk us through exactly how screening works. The matching took about four months, and the surrogate they connected us with was extraordinary. The transparency throughout the entire process gave us confidence we didn't have with the other agencies we consulted.”
— Daniel and Sarah K., intended parents
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing San Diego agencies, we'd rather answer your questions honestly than pitch you.
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 QualifyFor 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 ConsultationMade in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento, California. Founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. Serving families and surrogates throughout San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, La Jolla, El Cajon, and all of California.
