Surrogacy Cost in Texas: A Full Breakdown

Total Cost Overview

The total cost of surrogacy in Texas typically ranges from $100,000 to $150,000+, depending on your specific situation. Costs can be higher if you need an egg donor, have multiple IVF cycles, or encounter pregnancy complications.

Here's a breakdown of where your money goes:

Agency Fees: $15,000–$30,000

Your surrogacy agency manages the entire process: screening and selecting surrogates, coordinating medical and legal steps, and providing ongoing support. Agency fees vary based on services included.

• Full-service agencies (most support): $20,000–$30,000
• Boutique or referral-only agencies: $15,000–$20,000

Surrogate Compensation: $30,000–$50,000

Base compensation for surrogates in Texas ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 for first-time surrogates. Experienced surrogates may receive $40,000 to $60,000+.

Additional payments may include:

• Monthly allowances ($200–$300/month)
• Maternity clothing allowance ($500–$1,000)
• Bed rest compensation ($200–$250/day)
• C-section fee ($2,500–$5,000)
• Multiple pregnancy fee ($5,000–$10,000)

Medical and IVF Costs: $15,000–$30,000

IVF costs include fertility clinic fees, medications, embryo creation, and the transfer procedure. Costs depend on your clinic and how many cycles are needed.

• IVF cycle (including medications): $12,000–$20,000
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT): $3,000–$6,000
• Frozen embryo transfer: $3,000–$5,000
• Additional IVF cycles if needed: $5,000–$15,000 each

Legal Fees: $5,000–$12,000

Legal fees cover drafting and reviewing the gestational agreement, court validation, and obtaining birth certificates. Both the intended parents and surrogate need independent attorneys.

Egg Donor Costs: $8,000–$15,000

If you need an egg donor (required for gay couples and some other situations), costs include:

• Donor compensation: $5,000–$10,000
• Agency/bank fee: $3,000–$6,000
• Medical screening and retrieval: included in IVF costs
• Frozen eggs from an egg bank: $5,000–$8,000 (often more affordable)

Insurance and Other Expenses: $5,000–$20,000

Health insurance for the surrogate is a significant cost. If the surrogate's existing insurance doesn't cover surrogacy (many don't), you may need to purchase a surrogacy-specific policy.

• Surrogate health insurance: $5,000–$15,000
• Life insurance for surrogate: $500–$750
• Travel and incidentals: $2,000–$5,000
• Escrow management: $500–$1,000

How to Reduce Costs

• Use frozen eggs from an egg bank instead of a fresh donor cycle
• Choose a surrogate with insurance that covers surrogacy
• Work with a referral-only agency for lower fees
• Consider agencies in lower-cost areas of Texas
• Ask about payment plans and installment options

Financing Options

Several financing options can help make surrogacy more accessible:

• Surrogacy-specific loans (e.g., CapexMD, New Life Fertility Finance)
• Home equity loans or lines of credit
• Grants for LGBT+ families (see our grants guide)
• Employer fertility benefits (increasingly common)
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for medical expenses