Surrogacy Agency Berkeley

Surrogacy Agency Near Berkley

If you’re looking for a surrogacy agency near Berkley, we’re the team for you! We search for local surrogate mothers who are passionate about helping create families.

For Made in the USA Surrogacy, we enjoy being the only surrogacy near Berkley with the best surrogate cost and overall surrogacy costs in the area. It is a privilege to play a critical role in helping individuals and couples facing fertility challenges actualize their life-long dream of becoming parents. We are committed to ensuring that intended parents are matched with a compatible surrogate, one whose values and beliefs align with theirs.

If you reside in Berkeley and are new to surrogacy, the best place to start on your journey is becoming acquainted with assisted reproduction laws in California.

Surrogacy Agency near Berkley California Laws

Assisted reproduction laws in California are favorable to surrogacy, and California is even considered a surrogacy-friendly state. California Family Code § 7960 and AB 960 cover legal matters pertaining to surrogacy.

Below is an overview of common surrogacy laws in California:

Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy

In California, both traditional and gestational surrogacy is legal, although Gestational surrogacy is the preferred method for surrogacy agencies near Berkley. Traditional surrogacy involves using the sperm of the intended father to fertilize the surrogate’s egg (or egg from a donor, in some instances). This makes the surrogate the biological mother, but parental right is granted to the intended parents. Gestational surrogacy involves in vitro fertilization whereby the sperm and eggs of intended parents are used to create an embryo that is then transferred to the surrogate (gestational carrier). In this case, the intended parents are the biological parents.

Surrogate Compensation

Commercial surrogacy – surrogacy in which the surrogate is compensated – is permitted in the state of California. Surrogates are compensated for the time and energy expended throughout the surrogacy process; lost wages; medical expenses; travel expenses and other expenses incurred during surrogacy.

Separate Legal Representation 

Surrogates and intended parents are required by California law to obtain separately licensed attorneys to represent and protect their interests. To ensure that each party’s rights are protected, intended parents and surrogates are not permitted to use the same attorney. It is important that surrogates and intended parents hire attorneys that have experience with surrogacy and expertise on surrogacy laws.

Surrogacy Agreements

California requires that a surrogacy agreement is drawn up. This ensures that both parties are on the same page before they begin the surrogacy process. Typically the contract should address surrogate compensation, the extent of communication between surrogates and intended parents, solutions to potential, unplanned issues that might pop up during the process such as multiple pregnancies; and any other pertinent issues. This agreement must be executed prior to embryo transplantation.

Establishing Legal Parentage

In California, pre-birth parentage orders are permitted, allowing intended parents to establish parentage prior to the birth of the baby. This avoids the need to undergo adoption proceedings.

For Intended Parents: Understanding Surrogacy Costs

Intended parents in Berkeley should be aware, before starting the surrogacy process, that surrogacy can be quite costly. See our page on surrogacy costs here. Typically, you can expect to spend between $140,000 and $150,000 on the entire process. The exact costs depend on your individual surrogate and preferences.

Let’s breakdown surrogacy costs for intended parents residing in Berkeley:

Made in the USA Agency Fee

This agency fee covers the services provided by our agency including:

• Marketing costs to find a surrogate
• Pre-screening and selection of surrogates
• Matching intended parents with the right surrogate
• Financial and criminal background checks
• Psychological evaluation of surrogate and her partner
• Referral to top attorneys with experience in surrogacy laws
• Counseling, education, support and guidance for intended parents and surrogates
• Fertility clinic referral
• Coordination of screenings, embryo transfer and other medical procedures with a fertility clinic
• Review of surrogate’s insurance policy
• Case management of the entire surrogacy process

Legal Fees

Intended parents must also cover legal fees which include drawing up and review of surrogacy contracts; pre-birth orders and parental right establishment; surrogate legal representation and egg donor contracts (if applicable).

Medical Screening and Procedures

Intended parents cover all medical screening expenses as well as psychological consultation fees, in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle fee, embryo transfer, surrogate medications, and other medical costs.

Surrogate Compensation

Intended parents pay surrogates a base compensation for their services. The exact compensation a surrogate receives depends on a range of factors including:

• First-time vs Experienced Surrogates: Surrogates who have successfully undergone surrogacy before usually receive a higher base compensation than first-time surrogates. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, first-time surrogates receive $60,000 while experienced surrogates receive $65,000.
• Multiple Pregnancies: A surrogate carrying twins, triplets or other multiple pregnancies will receive more compensation than a surrogate carrying just one baby.

In addition to the base compensation, surrogates receive a benefits package which includes:

• Monthly expense allowance
• Travel allowance (if, for instance, the surrogate has to travel for fertility clinic appointments)
• Compensation for lost wages
• Maternity clothes
• Embryo transfer fee (paid after the procedure is done)
• Housekeeping and childcare
• Invasive procedures including amniocentesis, D&C, cerclage, and CVS

Keep in mind that actual surrogacy costs will vary depending on your unique situation. For more information about surrogacy costs in Berkeley, contact Made in the USA Surrogacy.

The Matching Process for Surrogacy near Berkley

How We Select Surrogates

Women in Berkeley looking to become surrogates with our agency undergo a rigorous screening process to determine whether or not they are physically, mentally and emotionally capable of navigating the surrogacy process. For information about our minimum requirements to qualify as a surrogate with our agency, check out our surrogate requirements.

We review the medical history of each candidate and request supporting documentation including OB/GYN medical records; recent results of a pap smear; and a clearance letter from her OB/GYN supporting her decision to be a surrogate. We confirm that each potential surrogate has successfully completed a pregnancy to full term. All surrogates must pass a drug test. We also conduct criminal and financial background checks on surrogates and their live-in spouses, if any. Additionally, we perform a home visit and inspection to ensure that all our surrogates live in a safe and healthy environment conducive to a successful pregnancy. We also make sure her BMI is below 30 using this calculator.

Matching with a Surrogate

For intended parents in Berkeley who have signed an agency retainer agreement with us, we conduct a psychological evaluation to learn more about you, your needs, preferences, and expectations. This evaluation gives us a better idea about your emotional and mental preparedness for surrogacy, as well as the necessary support, education, and guidance you will need as you navigate the ups and downs of the process. It also helps us match you with the most compatible surrogate.

The next step involves working with a surrogate coordinator to review the profiles of potential surrogates that closely match your values and needs. Once a surrogate is selected, a face-to-face meeting is arranged for you to get to know each other better. It is important that both parties feel comfortable with each other and trust each other. Once a match is made, medical and psychological evaluations are done to ensure that the surrogate is healthy and is ready to begin receiving medications.

If you are a surrogate or intended parent living in Berkeley looking to join the Made in the USA Surrogacy family, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about applying, our matching process and other aspects of surrogacy!