Surrogacy Process & Procedure: How Does Surrogacy Work? | Yunda
Most families complete the surrogacy process in about 12–16 months.
This page explains how surrogacy works from start to finish—your surrogacy procedure step by step, including matching, medical screening, the surrogacy legal process, and key timeline factors. Matching time can vary based on your preferences and availability.
Matching
Preferences, availability, clinic fit.
Screening
Medical + psychological clearance.
Legal & Parentage
Agreement drafting, PBO timing, escrow alignment.
The 6-Step Surrogacy Timeline at a Glance
Most families complete the surrogacy process in about 12–16 months. As a quick overview of how surrogacy works, the timeline typically moves from consultation & sign-up (1–3 weeks) to IVF clinic coordination (2–3 months), then matching with a gestational carrier (time varies), followed by medical screening and clearance (about 2 months), legal contract + escrow setup (1–1.5 months), and finally transfer preparation and transfer (4–6 weeks) with a pregnancy test 10–14 days after transfer.
What you Do
Consultation & Eligibility Fit
1–3 weeks
What you Do
IVF Clinic Coordination
2–3 months
What you Do
Matching With a Gestational Carrier
Time varies
What you Do
Medical Screening & Clearance
about 2 months
What you Do
Surrogacy Legal Process, Contract & Escrow
1–1.5 months
What you Do
Transfer Prep → Transfer → Pregnancy Milestones
4–6 weeks + 10–14 days test
Step-by-Step Surrogacy Process: What You Do, What We Do, and What You’ll Receive
Below is the surrogacy process (also called the surrogacy procedure) broken into 6 steps—so you can clearly see how surrogacy works, what’s required, and what you get at each milestone in a gestational surrogacy process.
Step 1 — Consultation & Eligibility Fit (1–3 weeks)
What you do
- - Share your goals, timeline, and background (embryos ready vs need IVF).
- - Confirm basic criteria for surrogacy (medical/logistical fit).
What we do
- - Explain what is surrogacy process and how it works step by step.
- - Build a clear plan for your next milestones and expected timing.
Outputs
- - Personalized roadmap + checklist
- - Initial timeline estimate and next-step plan
Step 2 — IVF Clinic Coordination (2–3 months)
What you do
- - Choose your IVF clinic (or ask for partner clinic options).
- - Provide embryo/IVF records and confirm embryo creation plan if needed.
What we do
- - Help you choose and coordinate an IVF clinic for surrogacy.
- - Align clinic scheduling with the gestational carrier workflow and transfer targets.
Outputs
- - Confirmed clinic plan + key dates
- - Embryo status and transfer readiness timeline
Step 3 — Matching With a Gestational Carrier (Time varies)
What you do
- - Set matching preferences (location, experience, availability, timeline).
- - Review profiles, meet candidates, and select your match.
What we do
- - Source and pre-screen candidates for gestational carrier surrogacy.
- - Present qualified matches and guide expectations for a smooth match decision.
Outputs
- - Confirmed match + match summary
- - Next-step schedule (medical + legal)
Step 4 — Medical Screening & Clearance (about 2 months)
What you do
- - Approve screening appointments and required tests.
- - Confirm insurance approach and any clinic requirements.
What we do
- - Coordinate surrogate medical screening, records, and clinic reviews.
- - Track medical clearances and keep the process moving toward transfer.
Outputs
- - Medical clearance / “green light” for transfer
- - Finalized transfer plan and readiness confirmation
Step 5 — Surrogacy Legal Process, Contract & Escrow (1–1.5 months)
What you do
- - Work with legal counsel to review and sign the gestational surrogacy agreement.
- - Fund escrow/trust per the payment schedule.
What we do
- - Coordinate the contract workflow and escrow setup.
- - Help you plan a compliant path based on surrogacy laws in the US, including California surrogacy laws as a common framework (and where relevant).
Outputs
- - Fully executed surrogacy contract
- - Escrow/trust active + payment schedule confirmed
- - Parentage/filing plan outline
Step 6 — Transfer Prep → Transfer → Pregnancy Milestones (4–6 weeks + 10–14 days test)
What you do
- - Confirm embryo selection/shipping (if needed) and follow the clinic calendar.
- - Plan travel/logistics if required and stay responsive during monitoring.
What we do
- - Coordinate meds calendar, monitoring, and transfer date with the clinic.
- - Support early milestones: beta test 10–14 days post-transfer and follow-up tracking.
Outputs
- - Embryo transfer completed
- - Pregnancy test result (10–14 days)
- - Early pregnancy milestone plan (next appointments + ongoing support)
What Can Change Your Surrogacy Timeline?
Ready to keep your timeline on track? Start with a clear plan and a cost range you can trust.
Matching preferences
Specific location/experience needs can extend matching time. Broader preferences often move faster.
Medical & clinic calendars
Clinic availability and screening speed affect clearance and transfer prep. Align early with your clinic plan.
Legal & insurance steps
Contract review, escrow setup, and insurance design can shift timing. Start legal early to keep transfer dates on track.
FAQ
1) What is IVF surrogacy?
IVF surrogacy (gestational surrogacy) means an embryo is created via IVF and transferred to a surrogate who is not genetically related to the baby.
2) How does IVF work with surrogacy?
IVF creates or uses an embryo, then the surrogate completes a transfer cycle. Key milestones: screening → legal clearance → transfer → pregnancy test. See the full surrogacy process for the step-by-step view.
3) Do intended parents need IVF for surrogacy?
For gestational surrogacy, yes—an embryo is needed for transfer. You can use your own embryos or create embryos with IVF (with or without donor eggs).
4) How do you choose an IVF clinic for surrogacy?
Compare: lab quality, donor-egg options, PGT-A availability, international support, scheduling speed, and fee transparency. Start with our partner IVF clinic list if you want vetted options.
5) Who pays for what: IVF clinic vs agency vs legal/escrow?
The IVF clinic bills medical care. Agency fees cover coordination and support. Legal + escrow handle contracts, parentage filings, and organized payments.
6) How much does IVF and surrogacy cost?
Costs vary, but it’s easiest to estimate by buckets: IVF clinic fees + surrogacy program fees + legal/escrow + insurance-related items. See our surrogacy cost breakdown to plan ranges clearly.
7) Does insurance cover surrogacy?
Usually, insurance may cover parts of pregnancy-related medical care, but it rarely covers agency fees or legal work. Coverage depends on the plan. Review insurance planning guidance early.
8) What does surrogacy insurance typically cover—and how much is surrogacy insurance?
Typical coverage focuses on maternity care, complications, denial/claims support, life insurance, and newborn coverage planning. How much is surrogacy insurance depends on the surrogate’s existing plan and whether extra policies are needed.
9) What is escrow in surrogacy?
Escrow is a neutral account used to pay approved items on schedule (compensation, reimbursements, insurance premiums), with clear records.
10) What legal steps are required under California surrogacy laws?
Most cases follow: contract signed before transfer, then parentage steps (often via a pre-birth process) to establish legal parents at delivery. Learn more in California surrogacy legal guidance.