The Surrogacy Journey in Texas

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Your Guide to Finding or Becoming a Surrogate in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Throughout Texas

Whether you’re interested in working with a surrogate to help fulfill your dreams of parenthood or want to learn more about becoming a surrogate yourself, the experts at GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation are here to help. With years of experience assisting surrogates and intended parents alike, our team can assist you in navigating the entire surrogacy process, from medical procedures to legal considerations and everything in between.

Surrogacy in Regional Texas

Who Uses a Surrogate?

People from various backgrounds and in various circumstances use surrogates to help them grow their families. Examples include:

  • Couples struggling to conceive
  • People with medical conditions that make pregnancy or delivery risky
  • Same-sex/LGBTQ+ couples
  • Single people

At GSHC, we’re proud to help match people in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and all across Texas with surrogates, and we can assist with every aspect of this unique process.

Become a Surrogate in Texas

If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or elsewhere in Texas, we can answer any questions you may have about the experience. Our team has years of experience working with surrogates throughout the country, and we’ll work closely with you to ensure you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Surrogate Compensation in Texas: How Much Are Surrogates Paid?

At GSHC, we pride ourselves on providing surrogates with competitive and fair compensation that accurately reflects the time, energy, and effort involved in surrogacy.

Various factors will affect base compensation in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or anywhere else in the state, but it typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000. Prior surrogacy experience, any special or unexpected medical circumstances, the specifics outlined in the surrogacy contract, and more can all impact base pay. Base pay will be provided in 10 equal installments, beginning when you become pregnant and continuing throughout the pregnancy. Any remaining base pay will be provided about 15 days after delivery.

Aside from base pay, additional compensation is also provided. This may include:

  • Monthly allowances
  • Milestone payments for major steps in the journey
  • Maternity clothing allowance
  • Housekeeping allowance
  • Childcare reimbursement
  • Breastmilk pumping allowance
  • Lost wages reimbursement
  • $250,000 life insurance policy
  • Insurance premiums reimbursement
  • Travel and transportation reimbursement
  • Any specific payments agreed upon in the surrogacy contract

Learn More About Surrogate Compensation

Surrogate Requirements in Texas

To safeguard the health and well-being of both the surrogate and the baby, GSHC maintains strict requirements for surrogates in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and throughout the state of Texas. Some key criteria include:

  • Age 21–38
  • Have had at least one child of your own
  • No more than three C-sections
  • No more than five previous pregnancies
  • Financially stable, not receiving government assistance
  • U.S. citizen with no felonies
  • Good health, BMI of 31 or less

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, please read through our full list of requirements, and reach out to the team at GSHC with any questions.

Learn More About Surrogate Requirements

Become a Surrogate in Texas

Ready to take the first step? GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation works with surrogates from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and everywhere else in Texas. Start your surrogacy journey today.

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Find a Surrogate in Texas

If you’re hoping to grow your family with the help of a surrogate in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or elsewhere in Texas, GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation is here to help. Our caring and knowledgeable team will help you find the perfect surrogate match based on your unique preferences, personality, and values, as well as any special requirements, and then help you navigate all legal and financial matters.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Texas?

Surrogacy costs in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and other areas of Texas will vary based on individual circumstances and the terms of the surrogacy contract. The total cost typically includes the following:

  • Base compensation
  • Monthly allowance
  • Screening fees
  • Medication compliance fees
  • Payment for lost wages, if applicable
  • Maternity clothing
  • Childcare compensation
  • Housekeeping allowance
  • Insurance fees
  • Legal fees
  • Agency fee

Because expenses can vary widely depending on unique medical needs, unexpected circumstances, and any special requirements outlined in the contract, it can be difficult to provide an exact figure. However, the team at GSHC is committed to transparency and will work with you to outline in detail all expected costs.

Learn More About Surrogacy Costs

How to Find a Surrogate in Texas

To ensure a happy, healthy surrogacy experience, finding the right match is crucial. Whether you’re located in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or elsewhere in the state, the team at GSHC will assist you in finding the right surrogate for your specific preferences, values, and needs. We’ll assess these factors, as well as overall personalities and temperaments, to ensure a good fit and a harmonious surrogacy journey.

You’ll have the opportunity to review surrogate profiles, then meet with the ones you’re interested in working with. We’ll then set up introductory meetings for you to get to know the surrogate candidates, and allow both parties to discuss expectations. If both the intended parents and the surrogate are happy with the pairing, legal processes can then commence. This will begin with the drafting of a surrogacy contract, which will detail all requirements, rights, and responsibilities.

Using an Egg Donor and Surrogate in Texas

In some situations, intended parents use an egg donor as well as a surrogate to help them grow their families. In most cases throughout Texas, the use of a donor egg will not affect the intended parents’ ability to obtain a pre- or post-birth parentage order. This can vary depending on the specific court and judge, but in general, Texas laws are designed to provide protection for intended parents in these situations by specifying that the egg donor does not have parental rights.

At GSHC, we serve as both a surrogacy agency and egg donor center, and can help to match intended parents with egg donors throughout Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and elsewhere. Whether you’re seeking only a surrogate or both an egg donor and a surrogate, our experienced team is here to help.

Searching for an egg donor? Register for access to our egg donor database.

LGBTQ+ Surrogacy in Texas

A surrogacy-friendly state, Texas surrogacy law does not discriminate based on gender or sexual orientation. LGBTQ+ people can pursue surrogacy in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and everywhere throughout Texas, and are protected by the legal framework in place. At GSHC, we’re proud to help LGBTQ+ intended parents realize their dreams of parenthood.

Find a Surrogate in Texas

Ready to take the first step toward becoming a parent? The dedicated team at GSHC works with surrogates from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio,, and everywhere else in Texas. Start your surrogacy journey in Texas today.

Find a Surrogate

Surrogacy Laws in Texas

  • Surrogacy is legally recognized in Texas, with a well-defined legal framework. As a surrogacy-friendly state, Texas allows both gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate is not genetically related to the baby, as well as the less common traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate uses her own eggs and therefore is genetically related to the baby.

  • Surrogates in Texas must be at least 18 years old, have had at least one successful pregnancy, and be medically capable of carrying a baby. The surrogate’s spouse or partner’s sperm cannot be used in the surrogacy process. Surrogates are not required to reside in Texas, but at least one of the parties — the surrogate or the intended parents — must be a resident of Texas for at least 90 days before entering into a surrogacy agreement. Additionally, surrogates must have their own legal counsel.

    Additional eligibility requirements are set by individual surrogacy agencies. At GSHC, for example, we maintain the following key requirements:

    • Age 21–38
    • Have had at least one child of your own
    • No more than three C-sections
    • No more than five previous pregnancies
    • Financially stable, not receiving government assistance
    • U.S. citizen with no felonies
    • Good health, BMI of 31 or less

  • Under Texas law, intended parents pursuing surrogacy must be at least 18 years old and have independent legal counsel. There must be a medical need for pursuing surrogacy, such as being unable to conceive on one’s own or having certain medical conditions that make it risky to be pregnant or deliver a baby. Intended parents are not required to reside in Texas, but at least one of the parties — the surrogate or the intended parents — must be a resident of Texas for at least 90 days before entering into a surrogacy agreement.

  • A gestational surrogacy agreement is legally enforceable in Texas as long as the following criteria are met:

    • It is in writing.
    • It is signed by all parties.
    • At least one party — either the surrogate or the intended parents — has resided in Texas for at least 90 days prior to entering into the agreement.
    • The intended parents and the surrogate have separate attorneys.

    The contract itself must lay out all the rights and responsibilities of each party, financial information and surrogate compensation, and agreed-upon expectations and agreements.

  • Under Texas surrogacy law, at least one intended parent must be genetically related to the baby in order to pursue straightforward parentage rights via a pre- or post-birth order. However, Texas does allow intended parents with no genetic relation to the baby – such as in cases in which intended parents are using both a donor egg and donor sperm – to pursue surrogacy, but pre- and post-birth orders in these situations are at the discretion of the court. Otherwise, parental rights must be established through adoption. Working with a lawyer specializing in these kinds of surrogacy cases will help ensure a smooth process.

  • Under Texas surrogacy law, intended parents must have a medical need for surrogacy. For example, having certain conditions such as preeclampsia, heart disease, or diabetes can make it risky to carry a child on one’s own. Other qualifying factors include a lack of a uterus or vagina, scarring on the uterus, unexplained infertility, or a history of complicated pregnancies or miscarriage(s).

  • Single people and unmarried couples are legally permitted to pursue surrogacy in Texas, but parentage is established differently than it is for married couples. In these situations, unmarried couples and single people can petition the court to obtain a pre- or post-birth order, but the decision is at the court’s discretion. Otherwise, single and unmarried people must pursue surrogacy as an adoption.

  • Second-parent adoption is legally permitted in Texas, with a few exceptions. Because Texas law stipulates that intended parents must be married to receive a pre- or post-birth order to establish parentage, only one partner in an unmarried couple can legally adopt a child; second-parent adoption is a way for the second partner to establish and protect parental rights without getting married.

  • LGBTQ+ intended parents have a legal right to pursue surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ married couples with at least one genetic link to the baby can pursue surrogacy in the same heterosexual married couples do, by obtaining a pre- or post-birth order parentage order. Single or unmarried LGBTQ+ intended parents, on the other hand, can petition the court to obtain a pre- or post-birth order. If they cannot obtain this order, they can pursue surrogacy through adoption. Working with an experienced lawyer specializing in surrogacy will help make the process as seamless as possible.

The GSHC Surrogacy Process in Texas
GC Step 1. Application & Screening
Texans who are considering becoming surrogates can submit applications to GSHC. Our team reviews all applications to determine suitability, then conducts required screenings to help ensure a happy, healthy surrogacy experience.
IP Step 1. Initial Consultation
Intended parents will meet with the GSHC team for an initial consultation to learn about the process, ask any questions they may have, and better understand what the experience entails.
GC Step 2. Profile Creation
Surrogates who meet our requirements and have undergone necessary screenings will then be able to create a profile for our database, detailing their preferences, values, and motivations for becoming a surrogate.
IP Step 2. Seeking a Surrogate
Intended parents can look through our surrogate database to identify candidates who may be a good fit for their personality, preferences, and values.
Step 3. Making a Match
The intended parents and the surrogate will meet to discuss expectations and preferences, and if both parties are happy with the pairing, their exciting journey together can commence.
Step 4. Legal Contracts
After matching intended parents with a surrogate and ensuring everyone is aligned on expectations, legal processes can begin. The intended parents will draw up a surrogacy contract with their attorney, and the surrogate will then work with her own attorney to review the contract and note any changes they want to make. Requirements and expectations will be laid out in detail to ensure everyone is aligned.
Step. 5 Medical Procedures
Once a surrogacy contract has been agreed upon and signed by all parties, the surrogate can begin medical procedures. After undergoing standard evaluations, the surrogate will undergo fertility treatments in preparation for receiving an embryo. Intended parents will also undergo fertility treatments to create the embryos that will be transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. In some cases, donor eggs and/or sperm may be used to create the embryo.
Step 6. Prenatal Care
Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate will attend prenatal appointments with specialists to monitor her health and that of the baby. These appointments will entail various ultrasounds, screenings, and tests, and the surrogate will receive expert guidance from obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Intended parents will be part of this process, attending appointments when possible and maintaining open communication with the surrogate.
Step 7. Birth
As the delivery date draws nearer, the surrogate will continue to receive support from her doctors as well as the intended parents, and will be taken care of by a full team of highly experienced professionals as she gives birth. Intended parents are typically present during delivery as well. Depending on the details of the surrogacy contract, the surrogate may give birth via a vaginal delivery or a planned C-section.
Step 8. Parental Rights & Post-Delivery Support
As long as all required steps have been taken before delivery, intended parents have automatic parental rights to their child after the gestational surrogate gives birth. However, if the intended parents use a traditional surrogate or are unmarried or single, a different path to parental rights will apply on a case-by-case basis. After delivery, intended parents will continue to provide support to the surrogate as she recovers.
Step 9. An Exciting New Chapter
After delivery, the surrogate’s journey comes to an end while the new parents begin an exciting chapter of their lives with their new child. GSHC takes great pride in having guided many surrogates and intended parents through this unique experience.

Depending on what’s agreed upon in the surrogacy contract, the surrogate and the intended parents may continue to keep in touch in the years ahead.
Become a Surrogate in Texas Find a Surrogate in Texas

Surrogacy in Texas FAQ

  • A surrogacy contract is a legally binding contract that is reviewed, agreed upon, and signed by both the surrogate and the intended parents. The intended parents’ attorney drafts it, after which the surrogate and her own attorney review it and note any changes they want to make or any questions they may have. The contract outlines in detail all expectations, preferences, and requirements for the surrogacy journey, from prenatal processes to post-delivery expectations. Having a detailed legal document like this is crucial for ensuring all parties are aligned and helps ensure a happy, fulfilling experience for everyone involved.

  • Traditional surrogacy — in which the surrogate uses her own eggs and is therefore genetically related to the child — is legal in Texas but is treated like adoption, in which the intended parents must adopt the child after birth and the surrogate has 48 hours to relinquish parental rights. This means that technically, the surrogate can decide within that time frame to keep the baby. Because of the emotional complications involved in traditional surrogacy, it’s much less common than gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby. At GSHC, we specialize only in gestational surrogacy.

  • With gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate is not related to the baby, the surrogate cannot decide to keep the baby, and legal processes are in place to ensure the intended parents’ parental rights. However, with traditional pregnancy, in which the surrogate uses her own eggs and is therefore genetically related to the baby, the surrogate technically can decide to keep the baby within 48 hours after giving birth. In these cases, all paperwork is filed after birth. Traditional surrogacy is much more complicated legally and emotionally, and is therefore much less common than gestational pregnancy. GSHC specializes solely in gestational surrogacy.

  • For most married couples with at least one genetic connection to the baby, pursuing surrogacy in Texas, parentage is established through a pre-birth order prior to pregnancy or a post-birth order immediately after delivery. This is typically a straightforward process. Unmarried couples and single people pursuing surrogacy can petition the court to obtain a pre- or post-birth order, but this is done on a case-by-case basis. Otherwise, unmarried couples and single people may need to complete an adoption process after birth. Working with a lawyer specializing in surrogacy will help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, no matter one’s unique circumstances.

  • In Texas, surrogates’ total compensation can vary depending on a range of factors, such as prior surrogacy experience, any special requirements established in the surrogacy contract, whether the pregnancy results in multiples (such as twins), and more. In general, surrogates can expect to receive a base pay of somewhere between $40,000 and $80,000, as well as monthly allowances; compensation for lost wages; major milestone allowances; reimbursement for insurance premiums, surrogacy-related transportation, maternity clothing; and more.

  • Texas is a surrogacy-friendly state, with a detailed legal framework in place to protect all involved parties and ensure parentage is established for intended parents pursuing gestational surrogacy. Under Texas law, gestational surrogacy contracts are enforceable and the intended parents are recognized as legal parents to the child immediately after delivery. Surrogates are also protected under Texas law through the agreed-upon surrogacy contract and can be compensated fairly for their time and commitment. Out-of-state married couples can also take advantage of the Texas law if the surrogate lives in Texas.

Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation 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 & Egg Donation, you're in safe hands every step of the way. Learn more about how we can help facilitate your surrogacy journey in Texas.

Start your surrogacy journey with us.

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