Decision guide
Agency vs Independent Surrogacy
The biggest difference is operational: who manages screening, matching, timelines, and coordination across medical, legal, and financial steps. This guide helps you compare the two pathways and identify the questions that matter most.
TL;DR
Agency: you pay for coordination and a structured process. Independent: you control the process and can work directly with your team, but you take on more coordination responsibility. The right choice depends on your capacity to manage complexity and your appetite for risk.
If you’re deciding
Start by listing what you need help with most: matching, legal coordination, insurance/escrow planning, clinic scheduling, or expectations management. Then evaluate which model provides that support reliably.
Comparison table
| Dimension | Agency | Independent |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination | Typically provides a structured process and a coordinator to manage milestones. | You and your team coordinate directly; process quality varies by your setup. |
| Matching | Often includes screening and matching support using the agency’s candidate pool/process. | You source and vet candidates via your network/partners; requires more diligence. |
| Legal + financial workflow | Often coordinates attorney/escrow/insurance steps and keeps the sequence on track. | You must ensure legal/escrow/insurance milestones are done in the right order. |
| Best fit | Intended parents who want a guided process and a single accountable coordinator. | Intended parents with strong networks and the time/experience to manage complexity. |
Questions to ask an agency (or yourself)
- What does your screening and matching process include?
- Who coordinates insurance and escrow, and what’s the timeline?
- How do you manage communication expectations among all parties?
- How do you handle delays or mismatch situations?
- Which steps are handled by my clinic, attorney, and coordinator?
Important note: This page is educational information only and is not legal or medical advice.