Frequently Asked Questions
for Surrogates

Considering surrogacy comes with a lot of questions. Find answers to your questions about eligibility, compensation, matching, medical care, and the support you’ll have throughout the experience.

About Kindred

Surrogate Application

YOUR GUIDE TO THE PROCESS

Additional Information for Surrogates

There are so many questions that come up when you are considering becoming a gestational surrogate, and you deserve transparent answers to all of them.

We hope we have answered your questions throughout the rest of the website, but if not, here is a section just for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't see what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

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How long has Kindred Surrogacy been in business?

Kindred Surrogacy was established in 2017 by former intended mother, Joy Zhu, and her gestational surrogate, Chelsee Xiong. Although we are a newer agency, we are not new to surrogacy. Many of our employees have a personal connection to surrogacy, each having experience as an intended parent or gestational surrogate. Collectively, we have over 20 years of experience, personally and professionally, in surrogacy and other related fields.

Why choose Kindred Surrogacy?

We truly believe there is no other surrogacy program quite like ours. We dedicate more time to learning about you and your story, and help you have the journey you envisioned for yourself rather than a standard one. For surrogates local to us, we provide in-person support, and we have built strong relationships with local doctors and hospitals, which removes much of the stress of finding an OBGYN who will support a surrogacy journey. For surrogates who are not local, the level of support does not drop. You get the same attentiveness, and we will help you find a local OBGYN who will care for you throughout.

What kind of support will I actually get?

More than most agencies provide, and it does not stop at delivery. Your case manager attends OB and ultrasound appointments when it helps to have someone there. We hold virtual support groups twice a month, plus one or two in-person gatherings a year, and there is a private community for matched and former surrogates. Our Director of Case Management attends births when surrogates want her there. Afterwards we stay in touch: postpartum check-ins, mental health resources, and people who still pick up the phone a year later.

Is Kindred available 24/7, or only during business hours?

Our office is generally available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST. During your journey, you'll have a dedicated Case Manager who is your primary point of contact. If something comes up outside of normal business hours, you can always reach out to your Case Manager, and we'll make sure you have the support you need.

Does it cost me anything to be a surrogate?

No. There may be moments where you cover something small up front like a copay for an appointment or a prescription, but you are reimbursed for all pregnancy-related costs. Every expense related to the surrogacy process is covered by the intended parents.

How much will I be compensated?

First-time surrogates start at $65,000, plus up to $12,000 in benefits. You will also receive reimbursements for lost wages, housekeeping, childcare, maternity clothing, and other surrogacy-related expenses. For any required travel, your airfare and hotel are covered, along with a travel stipend. The full breakdown is on our Compensation & Benefits page.

How do I get paid?

All funds are held in a third-party escrow account and disbursed regularly, covering both your base compensation and any additional reimbursements. Payments go directly into your bank account via escrow-managed transfer, never from the intended parents personally. The timing is set out clearly in both your Surrogate Benefits package and your legal contract.

Will I be compensated if I need to miss work?

Yes. Before legal clearance you will submit recent pay stubs so your exact reimbursement rate is calculated and written into your contract. After that, approved missed work needs only a doctor's note and the hours missed. Reimbursement is processed through escrow, usually within 7 to 10 business days.

What if I don't have medical insurance that covers surrogacy?

That is not a problem. We will review your current policy to see whether it covers a surrogacy journey. If it does not, we will help enroll you in a surrogacy-friendly plan. You will not be responsible for the cost of that process or the premiums.

Can I be a surrogate if I have never given birth?

You must have had at least one full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy, and be raising or have raised at least one child. This helps ensure a safe and healthy experience for everyone.

I have submitted my application. What happens next?

Once you submit your application, a member of our team will review it and reach out to schedule a phone call. During that conversation, we'll get to know you better, answer any questions you have, and walk through your application together. If we believe you'd be a great fit for Kindred, we'll send you our agency documents to review and sign before requesting your medical records. Once your medical records have been reviewed and approved, we'll complete background checks for you, your partner, and any other adults living in your household. We'll also schedule a virtual home visit to ensure your home provides a safe environment and to walk you through the next steps in the matching process.

What kind of testing is done during medical clearance?

You will have a physical exam, lab work, and a saline ultrasound (SIS), all performed at the intended parents' fertility clinic, to confirm you are healthy and ready to carry a healthy pregnancy.

Why does my partner need to be involved? Why do I need a support person?

In many states, spousal consent is required for legal reasons. Your partner would also undergo a background check and lab work requested by the IVF clinic. This is to make sure that you and the baby you are carrying are in a safe environment with no unnecessary risks. Beyond the legal side, surrogacy is a big commitment, physically and emotionally. It matters that you have the support, encouragement and practical help you need for the unexpected moments along the way.

How does the matching process work?

We take time to understand your values, personality and expectations before we explore potential matches. You will review profiles and meet with intended parents before deciding whether to move forward, and the decision is genuinely yours.

What if the intended parents change their mind?

The chances of this are extremely low. Intended parents go through careful screening and are legally and financially committed to the process. The contracts both parties sign are designed to protect everyone, including you.

Can I pick my own attorney?

Yes. We will provide options for experienced reproductive attorneys licensed in your state, and you are welcome to choose your own representation instead if you prefer. You will always have a separate attorney from your intended parents, so you can be confident yours has your interests in mind.

Will my name be listed on the birth certificate?

In surrogacy-friendly states, gestational surrogates are not listed on the birth certificate. At around 14 weeks gestation, your intended parents' attorney petitions the court for a pre-birth order, which allows the intended parents' names to go directly onto the certificate. The specifics vary from state to state, and your attorney will walk you through exactly how it works where you live.

Can I carry for two dads, or for a single father?

Yes. Surrogacy-friendly states allow birth certificates to list two fathers, two mothers, or a single parent, and some allow parents to be listed as "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" rather than mother and father. In all of these situations, the gestational surrogate is not listed on the birth certificate.

Will the baby have any genetic link to me?

No. As a gestational surrogate, the baby is not related to you at all. Isn't science amazing? To achieve pregnancy you will undergo in-vitro fertilization, and an embryo created with your intended parents' genetic material, or a donor's, will be transferred to your body. Our hope is that it grows into a beautiful, healthy baby.

What if a transfer fails?

Sometimes transfers fail, and when they do, it isn’t anyone’s fault. We know that can be an emotional and disappointing moment for everyone involved. If the clinic considers it safe and everyone wants to continue, you can try again. Your contract will set out how many attempts are planned for.

Can I use my own OB?

Yes. Around the end of your first trimester, you'll be released from the care of your reproductive endocrinologist and transition to an obstetrician for the remainder of your pregnancy. You are welcome to choose the OB you feel most comfortable with, provided they accept your surrogacy-friendly insurance. We encourage you to select a provider who supports your needs and helps you feel confident and cared for throughout your pregnancy.

What happens after birth? Will I need to care for the baby I carried?

No. Our intended parents plan to be at the hospital after the birth to meet and care for their newborn, and we ask them to be nearby from 36 weeks gestation. If they miss the birth because of travel or another issue, an agency representative will be there with you and the baby. Surrogates do not have to care for the baby. We would much rather you rest and take time to reflect on what you have just done for another family.

What support is there after delivery?

Your journey with us does not end when the baby arrives. We check in with you at two weeks, four weeks and six weeks postpartum, and you are always welcome in our Zoom support groups and our surrogate community. Mental health support may be available to you depending on the terms of your contract. Postpartum recovery is not only physical, and the emotional adjustment deserves as much attention as the healing does. Whenever you want to talk, we are here.

Can I be a surrogate again?

Many of our surrogates do. Whether you can depends on your medical history, your recovery, and your own circumstances. If you are curious, reach out whenever you feel ready. If another journey is possible we will guide you through the process again, and it usually moves faster the second time because we already have much of what we need.

FROM QUESTIONS TO CONFIDENCE

Resources for Every Step
of the Journey

Whether you are just beginning to explore surrogacy or preparing for your next step, our growing library of resources is here to answer your questions and help you navigate the journey with confidence.

Who can be an Intended Parent?

Explore who can pursue surrogacy and whether it's the right path for growing your family.

The Best Kept Secret

Discover the often-overlooked truths that make surrogacy such a meaningful experience.

The Surrogacy Process

A step-by-step guide to what you can expect throughout a surrogacy journey.

Explore Our Resources

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MORE HELPFUL INFORMATION

Keep Exploring

Learn more about the surrogacy journey and how Kindred supports surrogates every step of the way.

Become a Surrogate

Requirements, the timeline, and what the surrogacy journey actually involves.

Learn more →

Compensation & Benefits

The full breakdown from base compensation to benefits to reimbursements, and more.

Learn more →

Surrogate Application

Ready to take the first step? Begin your application to become a surrogate today.

Learn more →

Didn't Find Your Question?

Ask us. No two journeys are exactly alike. If there's something you're wondering about, we'd love to help you find the answers and make sure you feel informed every step of the way.

Surrogate Application

Call 559-388-4479 or email hello@kindredsurrogacy.com

Frequently Asked Questions for Surrogates

Additional Information for Surrogates

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Every Step of the Journey

Who can be an Intended Parent?

The Best Kept Secret

The Surrogacy Process

Keep Exploring

Didn't Find Your Question?

Frequently Asked Questions
for Surrogates

Resources for Every Step
of the Journey