Your Guide to Surrogacy in San Diego

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Find or Become a Surrogate in San Diego

Surrogacy can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both surrogates and new parents alike. Whether you’re considering becoming a surrogate yourself or looking to be paired with the right match as you build your family through surrogacy, GSHC Surrogacy Agency has the resources and experience to help you navigate every step of the way in this exciting new chapter in your life. We work with families and surrogates throughout the San Diego area, from Chula Vista to Oceanside, Escondido, and beyond.

Surrogacy Law in San Diego, California

California surrogacy law provides a comprehensive legal framework both for intended parents and surrogates. To learn more about California’s surrogacy laws, click the button below.

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Becoming a Surrogate in San Diego

Surrogacy Compensation in San Diego

Surrogates in San Diego are well compensated for their generous commitment of time and effort in helping intended parents achieve their dreams of parenthood. Surrogates receive initial base compensation, which can vary based on previous pregnancy experience and specific medical needs, as well as additional payments made when certain milestones are reached, such as the completion of embryo transfer. Most surrogates receive a base compensation of $40,000 to $80,000. Other allowances will be provided to reimburse for medical and legal fees, maternity wear, surrogacy-related transportation, and anything else outlined in the surrogacy contract.

For eligible surrogates with previous experience, GSHC also offers a VIP Surrogate Program, where surrogates can earn up to $100,000 in compensation, plus benefits and a $3,000 signing bonus.

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Surrogate Requirements in San Diego

GSHC maintains specific medical and lifestyle requirements to ensure the health and safety of all surrogates in San Diego. These basic criteria include a surrogate’s age, physical and mental health, financial stability, pregnancy history, and other factors that will help protect the health and safety of both the surrogate and the baby. Creating a healthy and fulfilling experience for all involved is always our first priority.

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Become a Surrogate in San Diego

Do you live in Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, or anywhere else in the area? Do you dream of helping someone grow their family? The path of surrogacy may be your calling. Connect today with GSHC and answer the call to become a surrogate.

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Find a Surrogate in San Diego

California is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the United States, with specific laws in place to establish a safe legal framework for gestational surrogacy. These laws are designed to protect the surrogate, the baby, and the intended parents alike. The expert staff at GSHC will be on hand to guide you through the surrogacy process — answering your questions, explaining the costs, and helping you choose the right surrogate for your specific preferences and needs.

Surrogacy Costs in San Diego

The overall cost of surrogacy will vary slightly based on insurance costs, the surrogate’s medical needs, whether the surrogate has prior surrogacy experience, any unexpected circumstances, and any special requirements outlined in your surrogacy contract. GSHC will be upfront about these costs, and we’ll provide you with a detailed breakdown of anticipated expenses at the beginning of the process. In general, most intended parents can expect to pay at least $144,000. We are proud to compensate our surrogates in San Diego fairly for the deep commitment involved in this process.

Learn About Surrogacy Costs

Find a Surrogate in San Diego

San Diego is one of the best cities in the U.S. to find a surrogate, and GSHC is here to guide you every step of the way. Connect with us and let us help you find your ideal surrogate match.

Find a Surrogate

The Surrogacy Process in San Diego

The surrogacy process in San Diego typically involves several key steps:

Step 1. Matching

The surrogacy process starts with the important step of matching the right surrogate with the right intended parents. Intended parents will speak with our team to help us understand specific preferences, including personality type, lifestyle choices, values, and preferences, so we can pair them with a surrogate who will be an ideal fit. We’ll then set up a meeting so everyone can get to know one another, discuss expectations, and decide whether to proceed and draw up legal contracts.

Step 2. Legal and Medical Procedures

When both parties have agreed to move forward with the match, the surrogate will undergo initial medical screenings to evaluate physical and mental health, including blood panels to rule out any potential genetic conditions that could be passed on.

After completing these exams, the surrogate will review the surrogacy contract with her attorney and suggest any changes if necessary. Once the contract has been agreed upon and signed, the surrogate can begin taking fertility medications that help prepare her for embryo transfer. A fertility doctor will then transfer the embryo(s) into the surrogate’s uterus during a quick and painless procedure, and the surrogate can go home to rest that same day.

Step 3. Pregnancy and Birth

About two weeks after embryo transfer, the surrogate will take a blood test to confirm pregnancy. About eight weeks later, she can begin to taper off fertility medications, and at 10 weeks, she will stop seeing the fertility doctor and begin to see the OB/GYN of her choice.

The surrogate also chooses the surrogate in which she gives birth, and the intended parents are typically present for delivery. After giving birth the surrogate usually is given some time to hold the baby before saying goodbye, and the intended parents will take their new baby home.

Surrogacy in San Diego FAQs

  • Surrogacy requirements in San Diego follow California state guidelines on surrogacy, designed to create a safe and healthy process for all involved. As with all agencies, GSHC maintains its own strict criteria, ensuring all surrogates must:

    • Be age 21–38
    • Have no more than five previous pregnancies or three C-sections
    • Maintain a healthy and stable living situation
    • Not use drugs or smoke cigarettes
    • Keep good overall health, with a BMI of 31 or less
    • Be a U.S. citizen, with a clean criminal record
    • Be financially stable, without government assistance

  • GSHC considers a wide range of factors and preferences to help create the best possible match between surrogates and intended parents in San Diego. We rigorously screen all candidates, factoring in legal considerations and medical histories, and carefully consider the intended parents’ specific expectations and needs as we pair them with the right surrogate. We’ll introduce possible matches to intended parents to talk over their experience and expectations; if they decide to move forward, we can proceed to medical screenings and legal processes.

  • Surrogacy costs differ from case to case based on specific medical circumstances, special requirements outlined in the surrogacy contract, and individual needs. Surrogate compensation includes base pay, paid in monthly installments, as well as payments for major milestones reached, such as pregnancy confirmation and embryo transfer. Surrogates also receive payments to cover insurance premiums, prescription copays, maternity wear, and other costs as outlined in the surrogacy contract. All parties discuss and agree upon these finances at the outset of the process.

  • California surrogacy law permits traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate uses her own eggs and is genetically connected to the child. This is much more emotionally and legally complex, however, and is rarely practiced. Establishing parentage can be much more complicated in traditional surrogacy. At GSHC, we do not handle traditional surrogacy cases.

    California state law has much more clear-cut laws permitting gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate uses a donated egg and therefore has no genetic relation to the baby. Both single and coupled intended parents, whether heterosexual or same-sex/LGBTQ+, can pursue surrogacy in California, and GSHC is proud to work with intended parents of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

  • A surrogacy contract is a legal agreement drawn up by the intended parents’ fertility lawyer, reviewed by the surrogate with her own attorney, and signed by all parties. This establishes a framework for the surrogacy agreement and clearly sets expectations and requirements for the process. These contracts outline specific rights and responsibilities as well as costs, eliminating surprises from the process and preventing any potential conflicts.

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Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

GSHC Surrogacy Agency is an internationally recognized, full-service boutique agency dedicated to helping families grow through surrogacy and egg donation. With a core ethos centered on a passion for assisted reproduction and family building, we prioritize the highest level of service for both intended parents and surrogates. What sets us apart is our unique approach — 100% of our Case Managers are former surrogates themselves, providing unparalleled empathy and expertise. Our extensive pool of surrogates, close relationships with elite professionals, and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity ensure a seamless journey toward parenthood. With GSHC Surrogacy Agency, you're in safe hands every step of the way. Learn more about how we can help facilitate your surrogacy journey in San Diego.

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