The Surrogacy Journey in Sacramento, California

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Your Guide to Becoming or Finding a Surrogate in Sacramento, CA and Across the Golden State.

Embarking on a surrogacy journey in Sacramento, California, is a deeply personal and transformative way to either build your family or help someone else build theirs. Whether you're prospective parents ready to begin this new chapter, or a local woman exploring becoming a surrogate, remember this: you don't have to face this surrogacy journey alone.

Here in Sacramento, GSHC delivers expert legal guidance, a robust local support network, one of the most competitive compensation packages in Northern California, and a compassionate team to help you navigate the process with care and professionalism.

Let's examine what you need to know about surrogacy in Sacramento, including how the journey works, what California law encompasses, and why so many families and surrogates choose GSHC to begin their path forward.

Who Becomes a Surrogate?

Deciding to become a surrogate is a choice that flows from kindness, purpose, and a sincere desire to make a meaningful impact. For many women in Sacramento, CA, it's a way to not only provide the precious gift of parenthood but also create new possibilities for their own families.

Women choose to become surrogates for a variety of heartfelt and practical reasons, including:

  • A strong desire to help intended parents embrace the joy of raising a child
  • The ability to establish a more stable financial foundation for their own family
  • A genuine love of pregnancy, having already completed their own family-building journey

Surrogates in Sacramento, CA are typically women between the ages of 21 and 38 who have had at least one uncomplicated full-term pregnancy and have a deep commitment to helping others in their community realize the family they've always wanted.

As a surrogate, you'll become a vital part of someone's journey for well over a year, supporting them through medical assessments, fertility treatments, pregnancy, delivery, and post-birth recovery. It's a substantial emotional and physical commitment, and that's why having a trusted, neighborhood agency like GSHC alongside you can make all the difference. We're here to guide, protect, and support you through every step of the process, all with empathy, honesty, and care.

Who Uses a Surrogate?

Surrogacy creates possibilities for parenthood that might not exist any other way. The intended parents we work with here in Sacramento come from all walks of life, but they're united by one beautiful thing: that unstoppable desire to bring a child into their lives.

Many intended parents include:

  • Couples who've faced heartbreaking fertility struggles or health conditions that make pregnancy dangerous
  • LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who are ready to start their parenting adventure
  • Single individuals who want to create their family exactly how they envision it

Become a Surrogate in Sacramento, CA

If you're a woman in Sacramento thinking about becoming a surrogate, it’s important to know that California offers strong legal protections and support for surrogacy arrangements.

There are two types of surrogacy that are legal in California:

  • Gestational surrogacy: You carry a baby created from the intended parents' or donors' egg and sperm, so you're not biologically related to the child
  • Traditional surrogacy: You use your own egg, which is combined with sperm from the intended father or a donor.

While both types of surrogacy are legal, traditional surrogacy is not recommended or practiced due to the legal and emotional complexities.

Here's what the process to become a surrogate typically involves:

  1. Initial Screening & Qualifications: When you work with an agency like GSHC, we will begin with a simple application and screening process, ensuring you meet the following criteria:
  • You are between the ages of 21 and 38 years old
  • You have had at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy
  • You live a stable and healthy lifestyle
  • You have a BMI between 18-34
  1. Medical & Psychological Evaluation: Next, you'll undergo a full physical and psychological assessment to ensure you're ready for the impending journey. These are not hurdles to scare you but safety nets, designed to support your well-being.
  2. Matching With Intended Parents: After approval, you’ll be matched with intended parents who share your values and vision for the surrogacy relationship. You’ll meet, ask questions, and make sure it feels like the right fit for everyone.
  3. Legal Contracts & Protections: In 2013, California strengthened its surrogacy laws with comprehensive legislation that established clear legal guidelines for surrogacy arrangements. All parties must be represented by separate legal counsel, and a detailed legal agreement must be drafted, signed, and notarized before any medical procedures begin. This protects your rights as a surrogate and ensures everyone understands their responsibilities and expectations from the start.
  4. Embryo Transfer & Pregnancy: After legal contracts are signed, you’ll begin the medical process, which includes taking medications to prepare your body for embryo transfer. Most transfers take place at trusted local fertility clinics in Sacramento that GSHC partners closely with, like California IVF Fertility Center or Northern California Fertility Medical Center (NCFMC).

Once there’s a confirmed pregnancy, everything becomes a little more real and a lot more rewarding. From that point on, you’ll receive regular prenatal care, emotional check-ins, and compensation according to your surrogacy agreement.

Delivery Hospitals for Surrogates in the Fresno Area

Fertility Clinics for IVF & Monitoring in the Sacramento Area

At every step, GSHC provides expert guidance, legal protection, and the compassionate support of a local team that understands the surrogacy process. We’re proud to partner with local women in Sacramento, CA, to make a powerful difference, one family at a time.

Become a VIP Surrogate

Have you been a surrogate before? Unlock VIP status with GSHC!* Help another family while earning up to $100,000 + benefits and $3,000 signing bonus.
Apply today!

Become a VIP Surrogate

Must meet all requirements, including a BMI of under 28, a great family and home environment, financial stability, and previous pregnancies with no complications.

Surrogate Compensation in Sacramento, CA: How Much Are Surrogates Paid?

Surrogate compensation in Sacramento through GSHC is both generous and competitive, making this area ideal for women considering surrogacy.

  • First-time surrogates typically receive a base compensation of $60,000 to $65,000, plus additional allowances for embryo transfer, medication start, heartbeat confirmation, maternity clothing, and more — ranging from $8,000 to $15,000.
  • Estimated total: $70,000 to $80,000
  • Experienced Surrogates can earn $90,000 to $100,000, and our GSHC VIP Surrogates may earn over $100,000.

Additionally, altruistic surrogacy is also legal in California. This option, often chosen when helping a close friend or family member, does not involve financial compensation beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

Learn Learn More About Surrogate Compensation and Pay

Become a Surrogate in Sacramento

Do you live in Sacramento or anywhere else in California? 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.

Apply Today!

Find a Surrogate in Sacramento, CA

With its progressive spirit, robust legal safeguards, and top-tier fertility care, Sacramento stands out as a premier destination for surrogacy, but what truly makes the city special is its genuine embrace of family in all its beautiful forms.

Finding the right surrogate in Sacramento is a thoughtful, collaborative journey that includes:

  • Initial Consultation: Begin by meeting with our experienced surrogacy professionals to learn about the process, discuss your goals, and share your hopes for the journey ahead.
  • Surrogate Screening: Every potential surrogate undergoes a thorough screening process, including medical, psychological, and lifestyle evaluations, to ensure they’re fully prepared for the responsibilities of surrogacy.
  • Matching Process: You'll review detailed surrogate profiles and select someone whose values, personality, and expectations align with yours. Factors like age, background, lifestyle, and communication style may all play a role in your decision.
  • Introduction Meeting: Once a match is made, surrogates and intended parents will have an opportunity to meet. This meeting helps establish a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and open communication, which is essential for a positive surrogacy experience.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Sacramento?

Intended parents in Sacramento, CA can expect the total cost of a surrogacy journey to range from $100,000 to $200,000. This figure includes both fixed and variable expenses, such as:

  • Surrogate Compensation: 35%
  • Agency Fees: 21%
  • Matching: 15%
  • Screening: 12%
  • Medical Procedures: 11%
  • Legal Fees: 6%

IVF typically costs between $30,000 and $50,000 per cycle, depending on medications, medical needs, and other factors. Beginning in January 2026, California will require health insurance plans to cover infertility and surrogacy-related expenses. GSHC will be here to guide you through these changes and help you understand what’s covered under your plan.

While the overall cost may seem overwhelming at first, many families manage expenses through a mix of employer fertility benefits, grants, personal savings, and financing options. With expert support and thoughtful planning, surrogacy can become both a financially achievable and deeply meaningful journey to parenthood.

How to Find a Surrogate in Sacramento

While it's possible to pursue an independent surrogacy journey in California, many intended parents in Sacramento and across Northern California choose to work with a surrogacy agency like GSHC to help navigate the complexities of the process with confidence and clarity. Partnering with an experienced agency can greatly reduce the stress, confusion, and uncertainty that often come with going it alone.

When you work with GSHC, you gain a dedicated advocate who will:

  • Guide you through every stage of the process, from initial consultation to post-birth support
  • Carefully screen and match you with a surrogate who aligns with your values, preferences, and family goals
  • Connect you with essential professionals, including fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys, and medical providers
  • Offer ongoing support throughout the pregnancy, especially in the event of medical or emotional challenges

Because the relationship between a surrogate and intended parents can be lifelong, a surrogacy agency can also help nurture and support that bond, whether you wish to maintain ongoing contact or define clear boundaries after the birth. With compassionate, experienced guidance, your surrogacy journey in Sacramento can be as smooth and meaningful as possible.

Using an Egg Donor and Surrogate in Sacramento, CA

California law permits both gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy, with no statutes prohibiting the use of any donors.

LGBTQ+ Surrogacy in Sacramento, CA

California is one of the country’s most surrogate-friendly states, allowing for LGBTQ+ and same-sex individuals and couples to pursue this path to parenthood.

Surrogacy Laws in California

California is considered a surrogacy-friendly state, offering strong legal protections for gestational surrogacy under Family Code Sections 7960–7962. Traditional surrogacy is also legally allowed, with no laws prohibiting it, providing another option for intended parents.

Surrogacy contracts are not only required; they’re legally enforceable. These agreements must be completed before any medical procedures begin, and they must be in writing, outline compensation, and include provisions around topics like termination or selective reduction. Because embryos are not legally recognized as people in California, pre-birth parentage orders are a key step to ensure the intended parents are recognized from the moment the baby is born and listed on the birth certificate.

This legal clarity provides confidence and peace of mind for everyone involved.

Find a Surrogate in Sacremento

Sacremento is one of the best places 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 GSHC Surrogacy Process in California
GC Step 1. Application & Screening
The surrogacy process begins with a candidate submitting an application, followed by a comprehensive screening. This step ensures the surrogate is medically, emotionally, and logistically prepared to move forward.
IP Step 1. Initial Consultation
Intended parents start with a personal consultation where they can outline their family goals, get answers to key questions, and receive an overview of the process designed specifically for their situation.
GC Step 2. Profile Creation
Surrogates put together a thoughtful profile that highlights their background, lifestyle, and motivations for becoming a gestational carrier. This helps intended parents understand who they are beyond the basics.
IP Step 2. Seeking a Surrogate
The agency reviews surrogate profiles and compares them with the intended parents’ criteria, including lifestyle preferences and values. This careful process helps identify potential matches aligned with the parents’ hopes and expectations.
Step 3. Making a Match
When intended parents find profiles they feel connected to, the agency arranges introductions—often through meetings or video calls—so everyone can get to know one another and decide if the partnership feels right.
Step 4. Legal Contracts
Once a match is confirmed, attorneys for both sides prepare and review a legal agreement. This contract spells out each party’s rights, responsibilities, and expectations, ensuring clarity and protection before medical steps begin.
Step. 5 Medical Procedures
After contracts are signed, the surrogate begins medical preparation, which may include hormone therapy. When ready, embryos created through IVF are carefully transferred to her uterus in hopes of establishing a pregnancy.
Step 6. Prenatal Care
If pregnancy is achieved, the surrogate continues under the care of fertility specialists before transitioning to her chosen OB/GYN. She receives ongoing medical support, while intended parents often attend important appointments and milestones along the way.
Step 7. Birth
When it’s time for delivery, intended parents are usually present to share in the birth experience and meet their baby. Legal steps are finalized to confirm their parental rights, ensuring a smooth transition after delivery.
Step 8. Parental Rights & Post-Delivery Support
After the birth, the baby goes home with the intended parents in accordance with the agreement. The surrogate receives postpartum care and ongoing support, helping her recover physically and emotionally after her journey.
Step 9. An Exciting New Chapter
For intended parents, this marks the beginning of parenthood. They leave the process ready to embrace life with their child, while the surrogate is honored for the vital role she played in making their dream a reality.

Surrogacy in California FAQ

  • Yes, courts routinely enforce surrogacy contracts and issue pre‑birth parentage orders, even for same‑sex and unmarried gestational carriers in California.

  • Yes, Sacramento, CA is known for its progressive values and diverse, inclusive communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples can pursue parenthood through surrogacy.

  • In California, both the surrogate and intended parents must be represented by legal counsel when entering a surrogacy agreement.

  • No, intended parents cover all medical expenses related to the surrogacy process, including prenatal care and delivery costs.

  • No, you can pursue surrogacy as a path to parenthood, regardless of marital status.

  • Surrogates receive comprehensive support, including medical care, psychological counseling, legal assistance, and guidance from their surrogacy agency.

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Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

Surrogates across California choose GSHC because we offer more than just a process. We build lasting partnerships based on trust, experience, and genuine support. Our legal team ensures your rights are protected from start to finish, and we provide some of the most competitive surrogate compensation in the state. Your time, energy, and commitment matter, and we make sure you feel valued every step of the way.

We’ve built strong relationships with top clinics and hospitals across California, including Sacramento, Davis, Oakland, Rosemont, North Highlands, and surrounding Northern California communities. From your first conversation to delivery day, we’ll be by your side with expert guidance, real empathy, and unwavering support.

Instead of navigating this journey alone, let GSHC guide you and manage every detail. Apply now!

Start your surrogacy journey with us.

Apply Now

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