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San Luis Obispo & Central Coast · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in San Luis Obispoand the Central Coast
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. Local fertility clinic and two delivery hospitals in SLO.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, founded by a former surrogate, serving families and surrogates across California's Central Coast.
“They didn't sugarcoat the process, and they didn't pressure me.”
— Jenny M., surrogate
San Luis Obispo has one reproductive endocrinologist, two delivery hospitals within city limits, and zero surrogacy agencies with a dedicated page for the Central Coast. Until now.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Roseville, but our surrogates live throughout California, including SLO County and the broader Central Coast. Our founder, Samantha Giermek, is a former surrogate who built this agency from personal experience. Our screening goes deeper than most agencies are willing to detail publicly. And our typical match happens in 3–6 months, not the 6–12+ that most families experience elsewhere.
Whether you're a woman on the Central Coast exploring surrogacy or intended parents searching for an agency that knows California's medical and legal landscape, this page has the specifics that other surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Surrogacy in San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo sits on California's Central Coast, a region known for its strong sense of community, high quality of life, and access to solid medical infrastructure. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinic in San Luis Obispo
Central Coast Fertility / Simple IVF Centers
Dr. Alex Steinleitner · 127 Casa Street, SLO
Dr. Steinleitner is the only reproductive endocrinologist on California's Central Coast, with over 20 years of experience in IVF, IUI, and egg donation services. The practice also has a Santa Maria clinic location.
For higher-risk pregnancies, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria (about 35 minutes south) has a 21-bed Level III NICU with board-certified neonatologists and UCLA Medical Center affiliation.
Delivery Hospitals in San Luis Obispo
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
Home to the only Level III NICU in SLO County, and the largest Level III NICU between Santa Barbara and Salinas. Board-certified OB hospitalist onsite 24/7. Baby-Friendly designated.
French Hospital Medical Center
Stollmeyer Family Birthing Center with LDRP suites. Named one of the nation's best maternity hospitals by Newsweek. Does not have a NICU; higher-acuity cases transfer to Sierra Vista.
Twin Cities Community Hospital
In Templeton, roughly 25 minutes north. Maternity services with Baby-Friendly designation.
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.
Surrogates on the Central Coast benefit from all of these protections while staying close to home. Learn more about California surrogacy laws.
Our Difference
Why Families and Surrogates Choose Us
No agency has a San Luis Obispo office or a page dedicated to Central Coast surrogacy. Here's what we offer that you won't find elsewhere.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening That Protects Everyone Involved
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. A thorough process protects all three.
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 on the Central Coast, it means working with an agency that understands California's system from the inside.
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, $65,000+ base for first-time surrogates, 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 San Luis Obispo
If you're considering surrogacy on the Central Coast, you're likely 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+. Base compensation starts at $65,000+ for first-time surrogates and $70,000+ for experienced surrogates. In a region where cost of living continues to climb, that compensation reflects what surrogacy actually requires of you.
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
Application
Takes about 10 minutes. We review your basic qualifications and health history.
Screening
Medical records review, psychological assessment, background check. Our team walks you through every step.
Matching
We connect you with intended parents based on values, preferences, and compatibility, not just availability.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic confirms readiness for the transfer process. Dr. Steinleitner at Central Coast Fertility is the closest RE to SLO-based surrogates.
Legal
Independent legal representation for you, paid for by the intended parents. Your rights and compensation are formalized before anything medical begins.
Pregnancy and delivery
Ongoing support from your case manager. Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and French Hospital Medical Center are both within SLO city limits for delivery.
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 San Luis Obispo
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 well over a year, and be available when things don't go as planned.
Made in the USA Surrogacy maintains a 99.3%–99.5% success rate across all surrogacy journeys. That number comes from thorough screening, experienced case management, and a process built to minimize surprises.
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, no commitment.
Matching
We identify surrogate candidates who align 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 get independent legal counsel. Contracts are finalized before any medical procedures.
Embryo transfer and pregnancy
Coordinated with your fertility clinic, with ongoing support from our team.
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
San Luis Obispo 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+
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 line item; it attracts more qualified candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey overall.
For a full breakdown, visit our detailed cost guide.
Central Coast Coverage
Serving the Central Coast and Beyond
We serve families and surrogates throughout San Luis Obispo, the Central Coast, 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 San Luis Obispo?
Start with a 10-minute application through Made in the USA Surrogacy. General 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. Our team guides you through screening, matching, and every step that follows. See our full surrogate requirements.
How much do surrogates make in San Luis Obispo, California?
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, total surrogate compensation ranges from $65,000 to $90,000+, with base compensation starting at $65,000+ for first-time surrogates and $70,000+ for experienced surrogates. Additional allowances cover maternity clothing, monthly support, and other journey-related expenses. See our full compensation details.
Are there surrogacy agencies serving San Luis Obispo?
Made in the USA Surrogacy is a Sacramento-based agency serving surrogates and intended parents throughout California, including San Luis Obispo and the broader Central Coast. While our headquarters is in Roseville, every surrogate in our program is a California resident, and we coordinate with local medical providers including Central Coast Fertility and SLO’s delivery hospitals.
Are there fertility clinics in San Luis Obispo?
Yes. Central Coast Fertility / Simple IVF Centers, led by Dr. Alex Steinleitner, is located at 127 Casa Street in San Luis Obispo. Dr. Steinleitner is the only reproductive endocrinologist on California’s Central Coast, with over 20 years of experience in IVF, IUI, and egg donation. The practice also has a Santa Maria location.
What are the requirements to be a surrogate in San Luis Obispo?
Requirements include being 21–40 years old, having at least one prior pregnancy carried to term, maintaining a healthy BMI, being a non-smoker, and having a stable home environment. Every candidate also completes comprehensive medical evaluation, psychological assessment, and background verification. See our full requirements page.
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.”
— Jenny M., surrogate
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies that serve the Central Coast, 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 Roseville, California. Founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. Serving families and surrogates throughout San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, and all of California's Central Coast.
