Surrogacy is expensive—often 100,000to200,000—but many intended parents find ways to make it work. Here’s how people afford surrogacy, from savings strategies to financial assistance programs.
1. Common Ways to Pay for Surrogacy
**✅ Savings & Personal Funds**
- Many couples save for years before starting the process.
- Some use home equity, investments, or retirement funds (consult a financial advisor first).
**✅ Surrogacy Loans & Financing**
- Specialized fertility loans (e.g., from Future Family, Prosper Healthcare Lending).
- Personal loans (compare interest rates before borrowing).
**✅ Crowdfunding & Grants**
- GoFundMe, GiveSendGo: Share your story and raise donations.
- Grants for LGBTQ+ families:
- Men Having Babies (scholarships up to $20,000).
- Baby Quest Foundation (financial aid for fertility treatments).
**✅ Employer Benefits**
- Some companies (e.g., Starbucks, Google, Bank of America) offer fertility benefits covering IVF or surrogacy.
- Check if your insurance includes infertility coverage (even for same-sex couples).
**✅ Shared Surrogacy (Co-Journey)**
- Split costs with another couple using the same surrogate (reduces expenses by ~30%).
- Some agencies offer group surrogacy programs.
**✅ International Surrogacy (Lower-Cost Options)**
- Colombia, Mexico, Georgia: Surrogacy costs 50,000–80,000 (but research legal risks).
- India, Ukraine: Were once affordable but now restrict foreign surrogacy.
2. Cutting Costs Without Sacrificing Safety
✔ Choose an independent surrogate (no agency fees, but requires more legal work).
✔ Use a known egg donor (friend/family) instead of an expensive agency donor.
✔ Negotiate fees (some surrogates accept lower compensation for meaningful connections).
3. Financial Planning Tips
- Budget early: Break down costs (IVF, legal, surrogate compensation).
- Talk to a surrogacy financial advisor (some agencies offer free consultations).
- Tax deductions: Some medical expenses may qualify (if they exceed 7.5% of your income).
4. Real Stories: How Couples Afforded Surrogacy
- ”We took out a loan and used savings—totally worth it.” – Mark & James (California)
- ”A grant from Men Having Babies covered 30% of our costs.” – Alex & Ryan (New York)
- ”We did shared surrogacy and saved $40,000.” – Lisa & Sarah (Texas)
Final Answer
People afford surrogacy through:
- Savings, loans, and crowdfunding.
- Grants, employer benefits, and cost-sharing.
- International options (where legal).
Need help? Research fertility financing programs or consult a surrogacy agency for payment plans.
