Now accepting new surrogate applications in California—See if you qualify →
Sacramento-Based · Founded by a Former Surrogate
CaliforniaSurrogacy Agency
Third-party medical screening. 3-6 month matching. Up to $90,000+ in surrogate compensation. Full cost transparency from day one.
Helping families grow from Sacramento since 2017.
“Matched in four months after a year elsewhere.”
— Rebecca T., intended parent
Samantha Giermek became a surrogate in her twenties. She loved the experience. She didn't love the agency.
The communication gaps, the surface-level screening, the feeling that she was a file in a cabinet rather than a person carrying someone's child—she knew it could be better. So she built Made in the USA Surrogacy from Sacramento, with one rule: every part of this process should work as well for the surrogate as it does for the intended parents.
That was 2017. Since then, every surrogate in our program has been a California resident. Every one has completed medical screening that most agencies don't publish, because most agencies don't do it. And our average match happens in 3-6 months, not the 6-12+ months that's become the industry norm.
Whether you're a woman in California exploring surrogacy for the first time, or intended parents searching for an agency you can actually verify, this page will give you the specifics that other agencies leave out.
Legal Framework
Why California for Surrogacy
California has the strongest surrogacy legal framework in the United States. That's not marketing language—it's the reason families from over 50 countries choose this state.
Pre-Birth Parentage Orders
Both intended parents are on the birth certificate before the baby is born, regardless of genetic connection or marital status. No post-birth adoption. No waiting period. No legal ambiguity.
Equal Protection for All
California law protects all intended parents equally, and the state has a deep network of reproductive law attorneys and fertility clinics with decades of surrogacy experience.
Beyond Table Stakes
Every California surrogacy agency will tell you this. It's table stakes. What matters is what the agency does within this framework—and that's where the differences start.
Our Difference
What Makes This California Agency Different
Most surrogacy agency websites read the same. “Compassionate care.” “Helping families.” “Boutique experience.” None of it is verifiable. Here's what is.
99.3%–99.5%
Success Rate
Screening That Goes Beyond the Standard
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. That distinction matters. A surrogate may have had a complication in her first pregnancy that resolved by her second. An agency reviewing only the latest records would never know.
Beyond medical records, every candidate undergoes psychological assessment, financial stability verification, and background screening. We also conduct unannounced nicotine testing, because self-reported health information isn't enough when a pregnancy is at stake.
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.
The result: a 99.3% to 99.5% success rate after the first two embryo transfers. That number isn't an estimate. It's what happens when every surrogate in your program has been medically evaluated at this level before she's ever matched.
Every Surrogate Lives in California
This isn't a geographic branding decision. It's a logistical one. When your surrogate lives in California, she has proximity to your fertility clinic. There's no cross-state coordination, no conflicting state laws, no ambiguity about which legal framework applies. The entire surrogacy journey stays within the strongest legal protections in the country.
For surrogates, it means local support from an agency based in Sacramento—not a phone number that routes to a call center in another state.
100%
California-Based
3-6 Months
Avg. Match Time
Matching in 3-6 Months, Not 6-12+
The industry average for matching intended parents with a surrogate is 6-12 months. Some agencies quote even longer. We typically match families in 3-6 months.
This isn't because we cut corners. It's because our surrogate compensation—$65,000–$90,000+ depending on experience—attracts a deeper pool of qualified candidates. More qualified candidates means more potential matches. More potential matches means faster, better matching for everyone.
One intended parent came to us after waiting 18 months with another agency without a match. They were matched within months at Made in the USA Surrogacy.
Founded by a Former Surrogate
Samantha didn't study surrogacy in business school. She lived it. She knows what it feels like to carry for someone else's family, what questions go unasked, what support actually looks like versus what agencies claim it looks like. That experience is built into every part of how this agency operates—from the application process to the post-delivery support.
You can read more about our story.
“We came to Made in the USA Surrogacy after more than a year with another agency and no match. Samantha's team matched us in four months. The screening process gave us confidence we never had before, and the communication was night and day.”
— Rebecca T., intended parent
Since 2017
Surrogate-Founded
For Surrogates
Becoming a Surrogate in California
If you're considering surrogacy, you're probably 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 ranges from $65,000 to $90,000+ depending on experience, with first-time surrogates starting at $65,000 base and experienced surrogates earning $70,000+. That's among the highest compensation in California, and it's designed to reflect what surrogacy actually requires of you.
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 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, the intended parents' team, and our staff throughout.
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 on qualifications, visit our surrogate requirements page. For a complete compensation breakdown, see what surrogates earn.
For Intended Parents
Finding a Surrogate in California
For intended parents, choosing an agency is one of the most consequential decisions in the surrogacy process. You're trusting an organization to screen the person who will carry your child, manage the logistics of a year-long medical and legal process, and be available when things don't go as planned.
How the Process Works
Free consultation
A conversation to understand your goals, timeline, and questions. No pressure, no commitment.
Matching
We identify surrogate candidates who align with your preferences, values, and medical needs. Typical matching 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
California Surrogacy Costs
Surrogacy is a significant financial investment. We believe you should know what you're looking at before your first phone call, not after.
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; it attracts more qualified candidates, which can mean fewer complications and a smoother journey.
For a detailed breakdown, visit our full surrogacy cost guide.
Our Reach
Surrogacy Across California
Based in Sacramento, Made in the USA Surrogacy works with surrogates and intended parents throughout the state. Whether you live in the Bay Area, LA, San Diego, the Central Valley, or anywhere in between, our team coordinates every step of the journey from our Sacramento headquarters.
Featured Cities
Sacramento
Our headquarters. Level IV NICU at UC Davis. Northern California Fertility Medical Center.
Learn moreLos Angeles
Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, and the largest fertility clinic network in the country.
Learn moreSan Diego
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital (9,000+ births/year). RMA San Diego. Fertility Institute of SD.
Learn moreSan Francisco
UCSF Medical Center Level IV NICU. Pacific Fertility Center. Spring Fertility.
Learn moreSan Jose
Good Samaritan Hospital Level III NICU. RSC Bay Area. Spring Fertility.
Learn moreIrvine / Orange County
Five fertility clinics. Kaiser and Hoag for delivery. OC's central hub.
Learn moreRiverside
Three Level III NICUs. Reproductive Fertility Center. Inland Empire's largest city.
Learn moreLong Beach
Miller Children's Level III NICU under the same roof as a children's hospital.
Learn moreBakersfield
Adventist Health Level III NICU. Central California's southern anchor.
Learn moreAnaheim
Five OC fertility clinics. Two hospitals with NICU care. Orange County's largest city.
Learn moreAll California Cities We Serve
Sacramento Metro
Roseville·Elk Grove·Folsom·Rancho Cordova·Rocklin·Citrus Heights·West Sacramento·Davis·Woodland·Lincoln·Auburn
North Valley & Far North
San Francisco & Peninsula
East Bay
Berkeley·Fremont·Hayward·Richmond·Walnut Creek·Concord·Antioch·Pleasanton·Livermore·San Ramon·Danville·Brentwood
North Bay
Central Coast
Monterey·Salinas·Santa Cruz·San Luis Obispo·Santa Maria·Santa Barbara
Los Angeles Metro
Beverly Hills·Pasadena·Glendale·Burbank·Santa Clarita·Palmdale·Torrance·Downey·Whittier·La Mirada·Pomona·West Covina
Orange County
Newport Beach·Huntington Beach·Costa Mesa·Fullerton·Mission Viejo·Lake Forest
Inland Empire
Corona·Rancho Cucamonga·Fontana·Ontario·San Bernardino·Moreno Valley·Temecula·Murrieta
Coachella Valley
San Diego County
Ventura County
Don't see your city? We serve families and surrogates throughout California.
Global Families
International Intended Parents
California is the most popular US destination for international surrogacy, and for good reason. Pre-birth parentage orders provide legal certainty that many countries can't offer. The state's established fertility clinic network has decades of experience working with families from abroad.
Made in the USA Surrogacy works with intended parents from around the world. Our team coordinates across time zones, manages documentation requirements, and connects you with immigration and reproductive law attorneys who specialize in international surrogacy.
Learn about surrogacy in California for international familiesQuestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is surrogacy legal in California?
Yes. California has the most comprehensive surrogacy legal framework in the United States. Gestational surrogacy agreements are recognized and enforceable under the California Family Code, and the state grants pre-birth parentage orders that put both intended parents on the birth certificate before the baby is born. Read more about California surrogacy laws.
How much does surrogacy cost in California?
Total surrogacy costs in California typically start at $160,000 and can exceed $200,000 depending on medical needs, insurance, and the number of transfer cycles required. This includes surrogate compensation, agency fees, IVF, legal fees, and insurance. Read more about detailed cost breakdown.
How long does the surrogacy process take in California?
From initial consultation to birth, the surrogacy journey typically takes 18-24 months. Matching alone can take 6-12 months at many agencies. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, our typical matching timeline is 3-6 months, which can shorten the overall journey.
How do I find a surrogate in California?
Working with a California surrogacy agency is the most common path. Look for an agency that publishes its screening process, provides concrete matching timelines, and offers a free initial consultation. Read more about schedule a free consultation.
What are the requirements to become a surrogate in California?
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. Every agency has additional criteria. Read more about surrogate requirements.
How much do surrogates earn in California?
Surrogate compensation in California is among the highest in the country. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, total compensation ranges from $65,000 to $90,000+ depending on experience, with additional allowances throughout the journey. Read more about compensation details.
Can international parents do surrogacy in California?
Yes. California is the top US destination for international surrogacy. The state's pre-birth parentage orders, established legal framework, and experienced fertility clinics make it the most straightforward option for families from abroad. Read more about international surrogacy.
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 start. They didn't sugarcoat the process, and they didn't pressure me. My case manager was there for every question, every appointment, every hard day.”
— Jenny M., surrogate, Sacramento
Whether you're exploring surrogacy for the first time or comparing agencies after months of research, 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. There's 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, answer your questions, and help you figure out next steps—even if those steps aren't with us.
Schedule a Free ConsultationMade in the USA Surrogacy is a Sacramento-based California surrogacy agency founded by Samantha Giermek, a former surrogate. We work with surrogates and intended parents throughout California.
