SURROCOMPASS GUIDES
How to choose a surrogacy agency
Start with agencies that can serve your location and the services you need. Compare what their programs include, ask for written answers about costs and support, and check the evidence behind each claim before making a shortlist.
1. Separate office location from service coverage
An office address tells you where an agency is based. It does not establish where the agency can support your journey. In SurroCompass, the States served field records service coverage separately from Office location. A blank field means the information has not been provided; it does not mean nationwide coverage.
Use a state filter as a starting point, then ask the agency to confirm your circumstances directly. If you are exploring international programs, ask what experience the agency has with your country of residence and which independent professionals you would need to consult.
2. Find out what each service actually includes
A service label gives you a topic for discussion, not a complete description of a program. Two agencies listing gestational surrogacy may organize matching, coordination, and ongoing support differently. Ask which work the agency performs and which work is handled by a clinic, attorney, counselor, or another provider.
ASRM guidance treats gestational-carrier arrangements as involving medical evaluation, counseling, and legal considerations. Use qualified professionals to assess those parts of your plans. This directory is a research tool and does not assess medical suitability or provide legal advice.
- Who will be my day-to-day contact?
- What support is available to the carrier and intended parents?
- Which services are included, optional, or provided independently?
- How are disagreements, delays, and changes in plans handled?
3. Compare the same cost categories
An agency fee and a total journey estimate are different figures. Ask every agency for an itemized written explanation using the same categories. Record what is included, excluded, refundable, or payable again if circumstances change.
SurroCompass shows Not provided when a price is missing. Do not treat a missing price as zero or assume the smallest displayed range represents the lowest eventual cost. Use the cost-comparison guide to turn quotes into a list of questions.
4. Read the source and the date
Open the sources attached to a profile and check its review date. A source-reviewed label means the profile was checked against cited material; it is not an accreditation, an independent audit, or an endorsement. Details and intake availability can change after review.
Ask the agency for evidence when a claim matters to your decision. For a timeline, ask when measurement starts and ends. For an outcome claim, ask which clients and time period are included. Keep estimates separate from contractual commitments.
5. Build a shortlist with clear open questions
SurroCompass lets you compare up to three agencies side by side. Choose a small set with relevant services, then use the same consultation questions for each. Saving an agency requires an account; browsing and comparing are available without one.
Write down why each agency is on your shortlist, what remains unknown, and what answer would change your decision. A sponsored placement identifies paid visibility. It does not establish that an agency is a better fit for you.