Delivering Family Dreams

Fees & Expenses

The Stork's Nest believes that transparency is the most important aspect in regards to a third-party reproduction journey and feel that intended parents should be as mentally and financially prepared as possible. Although there are many moving puzzle pieces in a surrogacy journey depending on your unique situation, we have attempted to give you the most inclusive and realistic expectation of the costs that you could incur when using a gestational surrogate. The fees and compensation listed below are relatively standard rates in the world of surrogacy, many of which you would pay regardless if you choose our agency, another agency, or do an independent journey.


*Gestational Surrogacy Program

Agency Fees $23,000
First Installment- Non-Refundable (Due Upon Placement On Active Matching List)$500
Second Installment (Due Upon Matching)$11,500
Third Installment (Due At Heartbeat Confirmation)$11,000
Screening Costs $4,500 Estimated
Gestational Carrier's Medical Screening at Intended Parent(s) Chosen Fertility Clinic$3,000 Approx
Costs For Gestational Carrier During Medical Or Mental Health Screening- Lost Wages, Hotel, Airfare, Mileage, Childcare, Meals, Etc.$ TBD if Necessary
Gestational Carrier (and Spouse/Partner) Mental Health Evaluation$650 Approx
Intended Parent(s) Mental Health Consultation$300 Approx
Joint Mental Health Match Meeting$400 Approx
Agency Advanced Insurance Premiums and Placement Fees$ TBD if Necessary
Gestational Surrogate Compensation/Other Costs $57,490 - $67,490
Gestational Surrogate Base Compensation (Varies Based On Insurance Coverage And Experience)$50,000- $60,000
Medication Start Fee (Other Than Birth Control)$500
IVF Transfer And Bedrest (Due After Completion Of Each Transfer Attempt)$1,000
Maternity Clothing Allowance$1,250
Monthly Allowance In Lieu Of Itemized Costs (~15 Months @ $250/Month And Includes RT Mileage <80 Miles For Local Appointments, Parking, Postage, Vitamins, Etc. )(To Begin Upon Execution Of Contracts)$3,750
Accidental Death Insurance ($250k For Gestational Surrogate/$100k For Intended Parents)(Approx)$560
Loss Of Organ And Permanent Disability Policy (Approximate)$430
Travel >80 Miles Round Trip From Home:
-Mileage Reimbursement >80, Airfare/Rental Car If Needed, Uber/Lyft/Taxi Reimbursement, Hotel, Meals ($75/day or $100 If With Companion), Lost Wages For Full Day Missed, Childcare If Overnight$ Actual
-Companion Costs (Medically Necessary To Travel With Surrogate): Airfare, Meals, Lost Wages Per Agmt$ Actual
Mental Health Costs $2,500
Surrogate Mental Health Support (Up To 10 Sessions During/After Pregnancy)($250/Session)$2,500
Legal And Escrow Fee $9,500 - $12,500
Surrogate Attorney Fees (Review Of Contract And Parentage Documents)$2,000
Intended Parent Attorney Fees (Drafting Of Contract)$2,000 - $3,000
Intended Parent's Will Amendment Or Drafting (Varies Per Attorney/Client Assets)$500 - $750
Surrogate's Will Amendment Or Drafting, And Power Of Attorney Drafted$500 - $750
Establishment Of Parentage With The Court (Varies With Each State)(Approximate Cost)$3,000 - $4,000
Escrowing Fee (To Disperse Money In Accordance With The Agreement)$1,500 - $2,000

*Estimated Fees - $96,990+ - $109,990+ And Incidentals Plus Insurance Costs Deposit ($20,000 + TBD)

Incidentals Plus Insurance Costs Deposit ($20,000 + TBD)
ADDITIONAL INCIDENTALS DEPOSIT IN ESCROW (For Below Potential Incidentals, Lost Wages, Travel, And Medical Costs- All Unused Funds Are Returned)****$20,000
Insurance Out Of Pocket Maximum, Monthly Premiums x 12 Months (If Supplemental Policy Used), Any Additional Costs/Fees Due To Deviation From Fee Schedule Between PartiesTBD
Reimbursement For Any Previously Paid Supplemental Insurance Premiums By The AgencyTBD

* Total Fees Deposited in Escrow Prior to Embryo Transfer Occurring $116,990 - $129,990+

Incidental Costs To Consider
Multiples Pregnancy (This Is For Each Additional Child >1)$7,500
Cesarean Section Per Physician Recommendation$4,000
Amniocentesis, CVS, D&C, Cerclage (Amount Is Per Procedure)$1,000
Fetal Reduction Or Termination (Per Physician Recommendation Or Intended Parent Request)$2,000
Fee For A Mock Cycle (If Ordered By Physician) Or Cancelled Cycle After Medication Start$500
Loss Of Each Organ Not Related to Pregnancy$1,000
Ectopic Pregnancy$1,000 Surgical/ $500 For Oral Medication
Additional Rematch Fee$5,000
Husband/Partner's Lost Wages (Up to $250/Day)$2,500 Approx.
Professional Insurance Company Fee To Enroll A Gestational Surrogate In A Policy (Approximate Cost)$800
Breast Milk Pumping Reimbursement (Per Week)$250
Additional Uncovered Travel Costs (If Any)Negotiated in Direct Agreement
Housekeeping (If Restricted Activity Ordered By Physician)Negotiated In Direct Agreement
Childcare (If Restricted Activity Ordered By Physician)Negotiated In Direct Agreement
Lost Wages (If Restricted Activity Ordered By Physician)Negotiated In Direct Agreement
Postpartum Lost Wages- Required Minimum Of 6 Wks After Vaginal Delivery, 8 Wks After C-Section6 Wks Vaginal/8 Wks C-Section
Short Term Disability Plan (If Gestational Surrogate Does Not Have One Through Work)Optional
*Maternity Insurance Coverage If Gestational Surrogate Has An Exclusion In Her Personal Policy For Pregnancy When Acting As A Gestational Surrogate (Monthly Premiums, Co-Pay, Deductibles, Out Of Pocket Maximums)TBD
*IVF And All Fees At Fertility Clinic (Bloodwork, Ultrasounds, Procedures, Medications Are Out Of Pocket)TBD
*Any Uncovered Pregnancy and Delivery Costs (Co-Pays, Deductibles, Out Of Pocket Maximums, As Well As Monthly Premiums If A Supplemental Policy Is Used)TBD

* These values are a snapshot of the fees that are likely incurred during a journey. Further details on these fees may be outlined in the Agency Agreement and the direct agreement with your Gestational Carrier. Intended Parents must notify The Stork's Nest of any deviations from the above snapshot in the direct agreement with the Gestational Carrier.

*These values are our best estimate of the costs you will incur during your surrogacy journey. We do not guarantee that these numbers are fully inclusive or definite since there may be unknown fees, prices are subject to change and might not be within our control, and negotiations can occur during the legal contracting phase. It is also possible that you will have additional costs not considered in this fee worksheet, but we try to make this fee worksheet as inclusive as possible to give you the best estimate of costs related to your situation. 

* Screening fees are estimated in this outline and are fully the responsibility of the Intended Parents and may be more than what is estimated based on your fertility clinic's pricing or any necessary testing or procedures to advance the journey.  

*Intended Parent(s) are responsible for any costs not covered by insurance.

* The Gestational Carrier might already have insurance, but it is possible she does not have any maternity coverage. Intended parents will be required to purchase a supplemental insurance policy that is approved by The Stork's Nest. Additional backup plans are available when there is uncertainty as to whether the surrogate's insurer will pay. The Stork's Nest will provide you with an insurance referral to discuss your specific needs. Further, in the event that The Stork's Nest has been paying monthly premiums for a Gestational Carrier prior to an official match with you, Intended Parent(s) shall reimburse The Stork's Nest for any premiums paid, as well as any other associated insurance costs and policy placement fees. Additionally, certain plans cost more than others and additional funds may be need to be deposited in to escrow to cover medical costs.

* All fertility clinic fees, IVF charges, including, but not limited to, medications, ultrasounds, lab work, and procedures are not considered in this fee worksheet and will vary with each fertility clinic depending on your specific situation and needs. We advise you to contact your fertility doctor and request pricing for surrogacy services. Should you not have a fertility doctor we can give you referrals.

* There is a required $20,000 incidentals plus insurance costs safety deposit made into the escrow account. Any amount not used is returned to the Intended Parents. This is required for the safety of the Gestational Carrier should she go on bedrest and require lost wages, housekeeping, childcare, etc., as well as to protect her in the event that the Intended Parents abandon her during the pregnancy and she is required to pay medical bills. Intended Parents are responsible for any additional fees needed that are incidentals that exceed this amount. 

*Intended Parent(s) are responsible for a minimum balance of $10,000 to be in the escrow account at all times and shall not remove any fees from the escrow account during the journey once the initial deposit is made, unless approved by The Stork's Nest.

* Intended Parent(s) are responsible for all fees at the fertility clinic (out of pocket) and no fees will be submitted to the escrow account or Gestational Surrogate's insurance from the fertility clinic, including any medications, ultrasounds, bloodwork, and/or procedures. Furthermore, Intended Parent(s) will be responsible for all uncovered medical expenses that the gestational surrogate incurs related to the pregnancy and delivery (including co-pays, deductibles, out of pocket maximums, and any other medical fees not covered by insurance). If a supplemental insurance policy is necessary to cover the pregnancy, Intended Parent(s) shall pay the monthly premiums, deductibles, out of pocket maximums, and any other associated insurance costs, including fee incurred to obtain the supplemental policy. Additionally, Intended Parent(s) are responsible for any costs the child incurs after delivery and the child will not be placed on the Gestational Carrier's insurance policy. No costs, fees, or expenses (including, but not limited to, medications, ultrasounds, lab draws, etc.) from the fertility clinic shall be submitted to the Gestational Carrier's insurance policy until she is released to OB/GYN for routine pregnancy care.

*Intended Parent(s) are responsible for any fees incurred for the baby after delivery. The baby will not be placed on the Gestational Carrier's insurance policy and will be placed on the Intended Parent(s) insurance only and these fees are not included in this snapshot. Pre-authorization from your insurance company that you are expecting a baby may be necessary and you will need to check with your plan.

*There are no guarantees that these numbers are fully inclusive or the maximum amount spent on a journey and all of these fees are ESTIMATES. The Stork's Nest attempts to outline expected circumstances to the best of their ability but Intended Parent(s) understand and agree that unforeseen circumstances or circumstances not outlined herein may occur that they will be financially responsible for and they accept all financial risks associated with their journey.

*At no time shall The Stork's Nest be responsible for any of these fees and Intended Parent(s) assume all financial, medical, psychological, legal, and any other risks associated with their journey.