Surrogacy is a life-changing experience, and the agency you choose will be your partner through every step. Whether you’re hoping to become a surrogate or are looking to grow your family through surrogacy, finding a trustworthy, experienced agency is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

A great surrogacy agency doesn’t just manage logistics—they help create a journey that’s supportive, safe, and deeply meaningful for everyone involved. 

But with so many surrogacy agencies out there, how do you choose an agency that’s right for you and your family? 

Getting started in your search

Not all agencies offer the same level of care. Some offer only basic support, while others go above and beyond to provide clear guidance, personal care, and lasting trust. As you explore your options, it’s worth taking the time to find an agency that truly aligns with your values and needs, because the right fit can make all the difference.

Here are seven things to consider as you begin your search.

1. Find out the agency’s history and/or level of experience 

While there’s no guarantee that a long-established surrogacy agency will provide the top-notch service you deserve, you want to choose an agency that has a proven record of successful journeys. Be sure to ask the agency how long they have been in business, how many families they have helped to create, and how their reputation has evolved (or remained consistent) over the years.

Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS) is one of the oldest and most established surrogacy agencies in California. Since 1990, we’ve helped to bring more than 1,000 babies into the world, and we’re honored to have so many of our new parents, surrogates, and medical professional partners refer their friends, family, and patients to us.

2. Ask which services they offer 

Some surrogacy agencies are partial-service, which means they might facilitate the matchmaking between surrogates and intended parents, but they won’t have the resources to support you throughout your surrogacy journey.

A larger, more established, full-service surrogacy agency will be able to offer more services—everything from matching to case management to legal services—which helps make the process much easier and significantly less stressful. 

At SPS, we’re deeply committed to providing thoughtful, personalized support to both surrogates and intended parents. Here are just some of the services we provide:

• Schedule and attend all fertility appointments and major OB appointments when allowed by the physician.
• Take care of the financial conversations between the intended parents and surrogate so they can focus on what’s important—enjoying the pregnancy!
• Send the parentage documents to the attorney early (at around 12 weeks!) to ensure the intended parents are prepared for anything.
• Coordinate health insurance and make sure the surrogate sees in-network providers.
• And much more. (Find out why we’re one of the best surrogacy agencies in California here!)

3. Find out about their screening process for both surrogates and intended parents

It’s essential that both parties are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for the process and educated on the responsibilities and risks. 

At SPS, each surrogate in the SPS family has gone through extensive screening. Of course, our process looks at her physical and emotional wellbeing, but it goes beyond that to include her lifestyle, family support system, financial circumstances, and much more. 

We also take great care in getting to know intended parents—because, realistically, we can’t match you with the ideal surrogate if we don’t understand who you are and what you value.

Unlike many other agencies, we believe it’s important that both surrogates and intended parents meet with a mental health professional who specializes in this very unique experience. Over the past 30 years, we’ve learned that this essential step actually helps both parties feel more comfortable with the match and fosters an atmosphere of trust.

4. Make sure they prioritize strong matches between surrogates and intended parents 

Surrogacy works best when the match feels like the right fit. A strong connection between intended parents and surrogate helps the process feel smoother, more comfortable, and ultimately more successful. That’s why great agencies pay close attention to things like personality, expectations, and preferred communication styles.

Here at SPS, we believe the matching process should be approached with personal care and extensive experience. Our founder, Cristie Montgomery, personally guides the matching process—and this is one of the main reasons we have such a long history of success. There’s an art to matching you with the absolute ideal surrogate partner, and it shouldn’t be left up to an algorithm to decide.

5. If possible, speak to former surrogates at the agency 

For those interested in becoming a surrogate mother, it can be extremely helpful to get a first-hand account of the agency from a former surrogate. Don’t be afraid to ask to speak with someone who has worked with the agency before. 

An agency should also provide you with the opportunity to speak with intended parents who have gone through the program.

At SPS, nearly 50% of our surrogates have such a positive experience with their first journeys that they choose to work with us again on a second journey (or more!). We genuinely want you to choose the agency that’s best-suited for your needs, so we do everything we can to help you make an educated decision.

6. Make sure they are upfront about surrogate compensation 

Compensation shouldn’t be the main reason you’re interested in surrogacy, but it is one of the many benefits of becoming a surrogate. A reputable surrogacy agency will be transparent about pay, provide a clear overview of the financial package, and ensure you fully understand how medical and other costs will be managed.

To learn more about the surrogate compensation packages SPS surrogates receive, we invite you to visit our website. Not only do our surrogates receive base compensation and full coverage of medical bills, but we also include special additions, like housekeeping services beginning at eight weeks of pregnancy through four weeks postpartum, a maternity clothing allowance, an exclusive pamper package, and personalized wellness plan which includes 12 weeks of postpartum pelvic floor therapy and more.

7. Ask if both parties are required (or encouraged) to have legal representation

A reputable, full-service surrogacy agency will always have your best interests at heart. Because surrogacy involves detailed legal agreements, it’s critical that you understand everything you’re signing. For that reason, it’s essential that you have legal representation.

At SPS, we believe it’s important that surrogates and intended parents each have their own legal representation. So, we arrange for you to meet with an attorney (at no cost to you), who will explain what the contract means and how the contract affects and protects you.

We hope this information helps you choose the best surrogacy agency for your family’s unique needs! 

Learn More About Becoming a Surrogate with Surrogate Parenting Services 

Surrogate Parenting Services is proud to celebrate over 30 years of helping to bring dreams to life! Founded in 1990, Surrogate Parenting Services (SPS) is a full-service surrogacy agency that offers both parties an exceptionally supportive environment throughout the surrogacy relationship. We’re passionate about creating ideal matches between surrogates and intended parents, so the journey is fulfilling for both sides and the future child is brought into this world in the best possible circumstances.   

Do you want to become a surrogate? Learn more about our Surrogacy Program online or by calling (949) 363-9525.