Now accepting new surrogate applications in California—See if you qualify →
Santa Maria & Santa Barbara County · Founded by a Former Surrogate
Surrogacy in Santa Mariaand Santa Barbara County
Third-party medical screening. 3–6 month matching. $65,000–$90,000+ surrogate compensation. What the research really looks like.
Made in the USA Surrogacy, Sacramento-based, serving Santa Maria, Northern Santa Barbara County, and all of California.
“The communication was completely different from what we'd experienced.”
— Rebecca T., intended parent
Santa Maria has no dedicated surrogacy agency page anywhere on the internet. That changes here.
Made in the USA Surrogacy is headquartered in Sacramento and works with surrogates and intended parents throughout California, including Santa Maria and all of northern Santa Barbara County. Our founder, Samantha Giermek, is a former surrogate who built this agency from personal experience. Every surrogate in our program lives in California. Our screening process goes deeper than what most agencies are willing to publish. And our typical match happens in 3–6 months, not the 6–12+ months that have become the industry norm.
Whether you're a woman in Santa Maria exploring surrogacy or intended parents searching for an agency with transparent processes and real numbers, this page has the specifics that other surrogacy agencies leave out.
Local Resources
Surrogacy in Santa Maria, California
Santa Maria is the largest city in northern Santa Barbara County, a community of roughly 112,000 with a young population and a strong work ethic. The city sits along the US-101 corridor between two well-established fertility clinic regions: Santa Barbara to the south and San Luis Obispo to the north. California's surrogacy laws provide the strongest legal framework in the United States.
Fertility Clinics Serving Santa Maria
Santa Barbara Fertility Center
536 E Arrellaga St, Santa Barbara (~65 miles south via US-101)
Led by Dr. Rene B. Allen, a reproductive endocrinologist with 20+ years of experience. Full IVF, egg donation, and surrogacy services.
Southern California Reproductive Center (SCRC)
1722 State St, Santa Barbara (~65 miles south)
Dr. Susan Maxwell, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, leads the Santa Barbara location with an on-site IVF laboratory.
Simple IVF Centers
127 Casa St, San Luis Obispo (~30 miles north via US-101)
Dr. Alex Steinleitner brings 30+ years of fertility medicine experience, with accessible IVF options for the Central Coast.
Delivery Hospital in Santa Maria
Marian Regional Medical Center (Dignity Health)
1400 E Church St, Santa Maria
The Family Birth Center includes private birthing suites, 24/7 obstetrics coverage, dedicated OB anesthesiologists, and a 21-bed Community Level NICU staffed by board-certified neonatologists. Affiliated with UCLA Medical Center and named among the nation's top hospitals for maternity care.
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.
Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria Choose Us
No surrogacy agency has a dedicated Santa Maria page. No competitor names the fertility clinics you would actually work with or the hospital where you would deliver. Here's what else sets us apart.
Third-Party
Medical Screening
Screening Built on Thoroughness, Not Shortcuts
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 process 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 Santa Maria, it means working with an agency that understands California's Central Coast and coordinates with local clinics and hospitals.
100%
California-Based
3–6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3–6 Months, Not 6–12+
Many agencies quote 6–12 months or longer for matching. We typically match in 3–6 months because our surrogate compensation of $65,000–$90,000+ attracts a deeper pool of qualified candidates.
More candidates means better matches. Better matches means smoother journeys 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 throughout the journey. 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 Santa Maria
If you're considering surrogacy, you're probably weighing two things at once: whether it's meaningful enough to commit your body and your time, and whether it provides real financial stability for your family. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we don't ask you to choose between the two. Both matter.
Surrogate compensation: $65,000–$90,000+. First-time surrogates start at $65,000+ base. Experienced surrogates start at $70,000+. In Santa Maria, where the median household income is roughly $84,600, that compensation represents a meaningful investment in your family's future while you help build someone else's.
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—not as a test to pass, but as an investment in your safety and the match.
Matching
We connect you with intended parents based on values, preferences, and compatibility—not just availability.
Medical clearance
Your fertility clinic, whether in Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo, confirms you're ready for the transfer process.
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 throughout, with delivery at Marian Regional Medical Center right here in Santa Maria.
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 Santa Maria
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 coordinates with fertility clinics in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo and supports deliveries at Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, a nationally recognized maternity hospital with a 21-bed NICU. Our pregnancy success rate is 99.3%–99.5%, and every surrogate in our program has been screened through a process most agencies won't publish.
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
Santa Maria 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 line item—it attracts more qualified candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey overall.
For a detailed breakdown, visit our full surrogacy cost guide.
Central Coast Coverage
Serving the Central Coast and Beyond
We serve families and surrogates throughout Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and all of California.
Los Angeles
Southern California
Fresno
Central Valley
Learn more about surrogacy in California across all the cities we serve.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a surrogate in Santa Maria?
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 Santa Maria, California?
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, total 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 are provided throughout the journey. See our full compensation details.
What are the requirements to be a surrogate in Santa Maria?
Requirements include being between 21 and 40 years old, having delivered at least one child, maintaining a healthy BMI, being a non-smoker, and having a stable living situation. Every surrogate completes comprehensive medical evaluation, psychological assessment, and full pregnancy history review. See our full full requirements list.
Are there fertility clinics near Santa Maria that work with surrogacy agencies?
Santa Maria is served by fertility clinics in nearby Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Santa Barbara Fertility Center (Dr. Rene Allen) and SCRC Santa Barbara (Dr. Susan Maxwell) are approximately 65 miles south via US-101. Simple IVF Centers in San Luis Obispo (Dr. Alex Steinleitner) is approximately 30 miles north. Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria handles deliveries with a 21-bed NICU and 24/7 obstetrics.
How much does surrogacy cost in Santa Maria?
Total surrogacy costs typically start at $160,000 and can exceed $200,000 depending on medical needs, number of transfer cycles, and insurance. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF and medical costs, legal fees, and insurance. See our full detailed cost breakdown.
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 knowing the agency genuinely cared made the whole thing feel personal.”
— Jenny M., surrogate
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies, 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 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 Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, the Central Coast, and all of California.
