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Best Surrogacy Programs for International Intended Parents: Surrogacy in the U.S.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we support intended parents living outside of the United States on their pathways to parenthood. We offer two safe and trusted options for international parents, both built on compassion, legal protection, and world-class care.
Surrogacy in the U.S.:
What International Parents Can Expect
Surrogacy can feel like a complex process no matter where you live. At Giving Tree, we understand that the international surrogacy journey is a cross-border process that can involve complex legal parentage and citizenship issues, along with the support and education needed to help intended parents feel comfortable.
The United States is considered a top destination for gestational surrogacy because of its robust legal frameworks.
If you are coming to the U.S. for surrogacy, here is what you can expect:
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Travel to the U.S: Intended parents in a surrogacy journey can travel to the U.S. as many times as they wish during the surrogacy process. The two times it is necessary to travel is for embryo creation at your fertility clinic, and for the birth of your baby. Intended parents may also choose to come 1-2 additional times during the process, including the embryo transfer and the 20-week ultrasound.
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Legal counsel: Intended parents will work with a skilled ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) lawyer for their surrogacy contract, as well as establishing their parental rights. International parents should also consult reproductive attorneys about citizenship, recognition in their home country, and required legal documentation. Their surrogate will work with her own legal counsel.
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An 18+ month process: Surrogacy is an intricate process with many parties involved – agency, clinic, lawyers – and many steps in the process. The matching process, including surrogate matching, often takes three to nine months for most intended parents.
Why Choose Surrogacy in the U.S.
Many intended parents choose coming to the United States for surrogacy because it provides legal security, medical advancements, and ethical safeguards. The U.S. is especially attractive for commercial surrogacy, and 47 out of 50 US states permit commercial surrogacy, though laws still vary by state. Intended parents can feel confident working with the Giving Tree team, who had over 10 years of experience building families with compassion and world-class care.
Benefits of having a baby through surrogacy in the U.S.
1. Legal protections for intended parents (and baby). Many surrogacy-friendly states offer strong protections for the surrogate and intended parents, and in California, the law requires separate legal representation for both parties through independent reproductive attorneys. These protections include enforceable surrogacy agreements that must meet state-specific legal requirements, with all legal work complying with the law where the surrogate resides; in many cases, a pre birth order helps establish parental rights before delivery so intended parents can be listed on the baby's birth certificate. Giving Tree works with highly-regarded ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Lawyers who specialize in surrogacy contracts.
2. The baby is considered a U.S. citizen. Regardless of the intended parents' nationality, a child born in the United States is considered a U.S. citizen (and will receive a U.S. birth certificate). This means that intended parents can obtain a baby's passport for travel home with their infant, although recognition in their home country may still require additional legal steps. Babies born through surrogacy in countries outside of the U.S. are not considered citizens and may need to establish citizenship in the parents' home country, which can be challenging.
3. Highest medical standards. U.S. fertility clinics are among the most advanced in the world, providing rigorous screening of surrogates (and egg donors), excellent maternal-fetal care, and access to top-rated hospitals. High-quality IVF facilities are essential to successful surrogacy journeys because outcomes often depend heavily on clinic standards and coordination across IVF clinics and care teams. Surrogacy agencies adhere to the strict requirements of fertility clinics to ensure the safest journey possible.
4. The highest ethical standards for surrogates. Unlike in some other countries, surrogates are highly protected throughout the surrogacy process, ensuring they are ready both medically and emotionally. Countries with clear surrogacy regulations are more likely to ensure proper health care for surrogates, while international surrogacy in less regulated destinations can create serious legal risks. Surrogates are treated fairly and with care.
You will be cared for and guided through every step of the process to make it as comfortable as possible.
Why International Intended Parents Choose Giving Tree
Giving Tree is a concierge-style full service surrogacy agency for international families and international clients, offering guidance across the process while helping intended parents prepare for their baby’s arrival.
Our agency services typically include case management, personalized support, surrogate matching, legal support, emotional support, and coordination across the entire journey.
Our team connects them with trusted third-party providers so these services support a more secure surrogacy journey and a smoother family building experience.
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Newborn care specialists, nannies, and doulas
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Newborn documentation support (U.S. passports, travel permits, DNA testing requirements)
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Cord blood banking
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Breast milk pumping and storage solutions
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Newborn supply preparation and shopping lists
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Professional newborn photography
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Legal and psychological referrals if needed
Surrogacy Costs for International Parents
Surrogacy costs for international Parents depends on the program they choose. Our U.S. Surrogacy Program costs are around $150,000 and our MAPLE Program (Canadian-based surrogacy program) costs are around $. 110,000
Learn more about surrogacy costs and which program is best for you.
