One of the biggest and most important steps you need to take as intended parents looking to expand your family through surrogacy is choosing the right surrogacy agency to work with. With so many options available, it’s important to evaluate each surrogacy agency and look at certain criteria closely to determine if they can ensure a smooth, ethical, and successful journey for your family.

Reputation and Experience

Reputable agencies have a proven track record when it comes to successful matches and happy families. When you look at the different agency options you have, consider how many years they have been in business, read client testimonials, and see if they have any industry recognition. 

A top surrogacy agency should be established with years of experience for providing reliable services. Review and success stories from other intended parents and surrogates also offer a ton of great insight into that particular agency’s effectiveness. 

Legal and Ethical Standards

Surrogacy laws vary by country and state, so you want to find one that follows all legal and ethical guidelines. The agency should operate in jurisdictions where surrogacy is legal and have in-house legal experts or partnerships with experienced surrogacy attorneys. 

There should also be ethical practices in place, such as transparency in agreements, fair compensation for surrogates, and prioritized informed consent. You should have detailed contracts that outline the rights and responsibilities of everyone involved and provide additional legal protection. 

Surrogate Screening Process

Top surrogacy agencies also prioritize the well-being and health of the surrogates as well as the intended parents. The agency you are considering should have rigorous screening processes in place, including thorough medical evaluations to confirm that the surrogates are physically fit for pregnancy. 

Psychological assessments are also important and help ensure the emotional readiness of everyone involved. Background checks are also useful for verifying a stable living environment and ensuring there is no criminal history. All of this helps ensure a smooth surrogacy journey for all. 

Support and Counseling

Since surrogacy is an emotional journey for everyone involved, the best surrogacy agencies offer extensive support during all stages. Emotional and psychological counseling should be available to both intended parents and surrogates. 

There should also be dedicated case managers available to help guide you through each step and ensure smooth communication and coordination. And it doesn’t stop there. The top agencies also offer post-birth support, including assistance with legal documentation and the emotional transition after the birth. 

Financial Transparency and Costs

You should also have a good understanding of the costs involved with the surrogacy process. Reputable surrogacy agencies provide you with clearly outlined fee structures that include breakdowns of agency fees, surrogate compensation, legal costs, and medical expenses. 

Any other policies, including refund policies, should also be stated, and there needs to be some kind of financial protection in place in case there is an unsuccessful attempt. A top agency will not hesitate to disclose all the costs upfront and help you plan your finances to avoid unexpected financial burdens along the way.

High Quality Medical Care 

You will also find that top surrogacy agencies collaborate with leading fertility clinics to help ensure a higher success rate. Take a close look at the fertility clinics they choose to work with and dig into their success rates with the surrogacy programs. 

Higher embryo transfer success rates, for example, might indicate better medical expertise and care. Stricter health protocols for surrogate care and embryo transfer procedures also help contribute to a smoother and much safer process overall. 

International and Domestic Considerations

When you are considering international surrogacy, you need to make sure the agency understands surrogacy laws and knows all legal restrictions there are that could ultimately affect parental rights and citizenship. Travel logistics, medical facilities, and support services should also be available for international intended parents. 

Flexibility and Customization

Since every surrogacy journey is unique, the top agencies offer flexible programs designed to fit your individual needs. Agencies should allow you to select your surrogate based on compatibility factors and personal preferences. 

Customized payment plans and flexible financing options are also good because they show they can accommodate different budgets. This helps ensure more inclusivity and accessibility for more intended parents.

What to Watch For

Now, there are also some red flags you will want to watch for when identifying top surrogacy agencies. For example, a lack of transparency in financial details or the agency’s failure to provide you with a clear contract are both red flags. You should also approach an agency with some skepticism if they promise guaranteed success or a fixed timeline. 

Surrogacy outcomes depend on various biological and medical factors, so establishing clear timelines and success rates should raise concerns. Poor communication and response times are also red flags, suggesting inefficiency. 

Making Your Final Decision

Finding a top-rated surrogacy agency does require a good amount of research but if you follow the framework we have laid out, you can start your surrogacy journey with much more confidence, knowing you have chosen a reliable and ethical partner to help you bring your dreams of parenthood to reality.