For current California residents who want to give the gift of life by becoming a gestational surrogate, here is the guide to everything you can expect in pursuing your surrogacy journey in California.

Compensation for Gestational Carriers in California

California is currently one of the highest compensated states to pursue surrogacy in. As a GSHC gestational carrier, the amount of compensation you are offered is unique to you as you are offered the highest amount of compensation that you can receive based off your medical history. That being said, the range of what to expect for base compensation for a first time California surrogate with GSHC Surrogacy Agency is anything from $42,000 – $50,000. An experienced California surrogate with GSHC Surrogacy Agency can expect a base compensation of $55,000 – $80,000. In some cases, an experienced surrogate could receive a base compensation even higher than $80,000.

Of course, there are still bonuses, invasive procedure fees, lost wages, etc. which you can expect in addition to your base compensation. These extra compensations do vary widely, as it depends on pregnancy complications, procedures, lost wages, number of babies being carried, etc.

GSHC ensures that all surrogates mothers compensation is kept in a trust account through a certified escrow company. This ensures that you will receive every payment on time with no stress added on to your shoulders, you can simply enjoy your journey with the guarantee that every payment will be deposited in time.

To see a detailed description of our full compensation package, visit our Surrogate Compensation page, or contact us to learn how much compensation you can earn as a surrogate with GSHC Surrogacy Agency.

Surrogacy： Is It Legal in California?

The short answer is, yes! Compensated gestational surrogacy is legal and well-protected in California, as stated in California Family Law Sections 7960 – 7962. (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120AB1217)

The surrogacy laws in California do require both parties (the surrogate and the intended parents) to be represented by their own separate attorneys, and a Gestational Surrogate Agreement must be signed and notarized by both parties. It is also required that the legal parentage be determined during the surrogate pregnancy with a pre-birth order (or PBO). This is a fairly easy and quick process, in which your attorney will send you a copy of the pre-birth order around the 15^th week of pregnancy for you to sign and send back to him/her. You GSHC case manager will guide you through both of these legal processes so it is smooth and stress-free.

GSHC has great relationships with California attorneys who specialize in fertility law, and who have extensive experience with gestational surrogate agreements, AKA your contract. You will have certainty that your attorney will ensure everything that should be included in your contract to protect you and to establish your compensation, will be. Your attorney will handle everything and will guide you through the legal process, as well as thoroughly explain what is in your contract to you, so you have the complete knowledge of what you are signing.

Can I Choose What Kind of Intended Parents I Work With? 

Legally speaking, you can work with intended parents of any relationship type, background, and ethnicity that you wish to work with. The state of California supports and protects all intended parents, including intended parents who are part of LGBTQ+, heterosexual, single, and even heterosexual intended parents who can’t use their own embryos due to struggles with infertility.

With GSHC Surrogacy Agency, you have full control over the intended parents you decide to match with. You will have the opportunity to review their profile (photos, full application, and introductory letter) as well as the opportunity to engage in a video call with them before deciding if they are the right match for you. During this time, you can also ask your intake manager any questions you have about the intended parents, and let her know if you would like to match with them or if you would like to find another family that is a better fit for you.

We Work With Surrogates All Over California

As an experience, full-service surrogacy agency, we work with gestational surrogates throughout California. We’ve helped surrogates successfully complete journeys in Alameda County,  Fresno County, Imperial County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Marin County, Napa County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Joaquin County, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Tulare County, and Ventura County among others.

Our case managers are based all over the state of Califoria, allowing for easy access to your personal guide through your surrogacy journey. In select cases, our case managers may also be able to accompany you to clinic appointments.

Learn more about GSHC Surrogacy Agency’s Local Case Managers.

What Do I Need to Get Started?

All you need to do to get started is fill out a surrogate application. A GSHC Surrogacy Agency representative will reach out shortly and guide you through the entire application process. You can also take a look at these basic surrogate requirements to get an idea if you would be approved to begin the application process, however if there is a requirement that you think you do not meet, please feel free to reach out to us with your concerns and we can figure out if surrogacy would be a good fit for you and your family.