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Surrogacy in California:
A Complete Guide to the Journey
Exploring surrogacy in California is a meaningful step toward building your family. While the process can feel complex, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we combine legal insight, medical expertise, and personalized care to make your path to parenthood as smooth as possible.
Every successful journey requires careful planning—securing court orders and working with attorneys who understand the process. That’s why we collaborate with a trusted network of lawyers across all states, giving families protection and confidence at every step.
Giving Tree Surrogacy is designed to make the surrogacy journey smoother, safer, and more accessible for everyone involved. Our rigorous pre-screening process, fast matching times, and low-to-no upfront barriers ensure that both intended parents and surrogates can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. By carefully vetting every candidate and maintaining a continually refreshed pool, we create matches that are secure, well-aligned, and built to succeed.
Surrogacy in California:
A Guide for Intended Parents
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we provide a clear roadmap that simplifies the process—from understanding local legal nuances to connecting with trusted clinics and professionals—so you can focus on what matters most: bringing your baby home.
Our HEART Matching Approach sets us apart, combining compassion with precision to create the most thoughtful surrogacy experience in the industry. We go beyond medical compatibility, taking time to align values, communication styles, and expectations between intended parents and surrogates. With expedited matching, rigorous screening, and a foundation of trust-building, we create strong partnerships designed to support a smooth and meaningful journey.
Choosing the right surrogate is the cornerstone of success, and that’s why our pre-screening process is one of the most comprehensive in the U.S. Only 1–2% of applicants are accepted into our program, ensuring you’re matched with surrogates who are not only compassionate, but also medically and emotionally prepared. From background checks and medical record reviews to psychological evaluations and insurance assessments, every step is designed to give you clarity, security, and peace of mind throughout your journey.
Who We Work With in California
Every path to parenthood deserves support. That’s why we proudly serve a diverse community of intended parents in California, offering compassionate, ethical, and personalized guidance at every step of the surrogacy journey.
We work with:
Heterosexual couples navigating infertility or medical challenges such as uterine conditions, multiple IVF attempts, or cancer recovery.
LGBTQIA+ couples seeking both legal clarity and a biological connection to their child.
Single parents by choice pursuing parenthood independently.
Intended parents living with HIV, through the SPAR program in partnership with leading fertility clinics that follow rigorous medical protocols to ensure safety and success.
Our team guides you through every stage—from legal planning and donor selection to embryo creation and surrogate matching—providing clarity, support, and peace of mind so you can focus on what truly matters: building your family.
A Supportive Path to Parenthood in California
California is widely recognized as the most surrogacy-friendly state in the United States. With well-defined laws and consistent court practices, intended parents can pursue surrogacy with confidence, knowing their parental rights are protected from the very beginning. California law explicitly recognizes and regulates gestational surrogacy agreements, ensuring they are valid and enforceable when properly executed.
To comply with state requirements, all parties must sign a written surrogacy agreement before any medical procedures or embryo transfers occur. Both the intended parents and the surrogate (and her spouse or partner, if applicable) must be represented by independent legal counsel. Once the agreement is properly executed, a pre-birth parentage order can be obtained, allowing the intended parents’ names to appear directly on the birth certificate. This order establishes the intended parents as the legal parents at the time of birth and terminates any parental rights of the surrogate and her spouse.
California courts consistently issue pre-birth and post-birth parentage orders for all types of families, including married and unmarried couples, single parents, and LGBTQIA+ intended parents. Whether domestic or international, families benefit from a clear, predictable, and inclusive legal process that safeguards their rights and ensures a smooth path to parenthood.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we guide intended parents and surrogates through each step of this process, providing clarity, compassion, and expert coordination. Every surrogacy agreement we facilitate outlines the medical, emotional, and logistical responsibilities of all parties, details the legal process for establishing parentage, and sets forth all financial and reimbursement terms permitted under California law. Working closely with experienced reproductive law attorneys, we ensure that your surrogacy journey complies fully with California’s legal standards while remaining transparent and emotionally supportive.
Obtaining a pre-birth court order is highly recommended, as it ensures a seamless transition at the hospital and provides peace of mind for both the intended parents and the surrogate. With the right legal and agency support, California offers one of the most secure and inclusive pathways to parenthood through surrogacy.
Your Journey, Fully Supported
From your first consultation to the moment your child’s birth certificate is issued, Giving Tree Surrogacy provides the compassionate guidance, legal coordination, and emotional support that make surrogacy in California a safe and fulfilling experience.
Through our network of trusted reproductive law attorneys and partner clinics, we help every family—regardless of background, orientation, or structure—build their family with confidence and care.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, surrogacy is more than a legal process—it’s a life-changing partnership built on compassion, expertise, and trust
The Surrogacy Journey in California
Building your family through surrogacy is an exciting process, with several important milestones leading up to delivery day. Understanding each step and preparing in advance helps intended parents move forward with confidence.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we provide expert guidance, personalized support, and legal expertise throughout your journey. Our team ensures you can focus on what matters most — welcoming your baby.
Connecting With Your Surrogate
Our HEART Approach ensures every journey is thoughtful and successful. We carefully match Intended Parents and Surrogates based on values, communication, and medical readiness, creating strong connections and trust from day one.
Choosing the Right Egg Donor
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we understand that many intended parents need the support of an egg donor. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive Egg Donation Program, offering two flexible options: - Fresh Egg Donation – for those seeking a synchronized cycle with their surrogate - Frozen Egg Donation – for families who prefer more flexibility in timing Our program supports thoughtful decision-making, helping you select the eggs that best align with your goals, priorities, and timeline.
From Pregnancy to Parenthood
Building a close connection with your surrogate during pregnancy is an important part of the journey. You may have opportunities to attend appointments if she lives nearby. Giving Tree Surrogacy supports you through every milestone, helping you prepare for the birth and ensuring a smooth, safe path home with your baby.
Starting Your Surrogacy Journey
If you’ve decided to grow your family through surrogacy, the first step is scheduling a consultation with us. This is your chance to share your story, ask questions, and see if the team is the right fit for your journey.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we offer complimentary consultations for intended parents who are emotionally and financially ready to begin within the next 12 months. These private meetings provide guidance on the surrogacy process, expected costs, and how to connect with a surrogate.
Ready to start your surrogacy journey in California?
Connect with our team today and take the first step toward bringing your baby home.
Surrogacy in California for Surrogates
Becoming a surrogate is one of the most meaningful ways to help another family while experiencing a life-changing journey yourself.
Surrogates in California are generous, compassionate, and strong women who want to make a difference. If that sounds like you, surrogacy may be the perfect path.
Becoming a Surrogate in California
Women who become surrogates are often mothers who love being pregnant and want to give that joy to someone else. To qualify in California, surrogates typically must:
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Be between 21–38 years old.
Have had at least one prior healthy pregnancy (no more than five total), with no major complications.
Have had no more than two C-sections.
Have a BMI under 32.
Not currently using tobacco, recreational drugs, or certain medications (e.g., for depression or anxiety).
These requirements are in place to protect your health and ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
Legal Landscape for Surrogates in California
California is one of the strongest states in support of surrogacy, with clear laws that protect both surrogates and intended parents.
Surrogacy agreements are legally enforceable under state law.
Courts issue pre-birth parentage orders, meaning surrogates are not considered legal parents once the order is in place.
This legal clarity gives surrogates peace of mind, knowing their role is honored and fully supported by the law.
The Surrogacy Journey in California
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Your surrogacy journey typically follows these key milestones: 1. Application & Initial Consultation 2. Psychological Pre-Screening 3. Matching with Intended Parents 4. Medical Screening 5. Legal Agreements 6. IVF Preparation & Embryo Transfer 7. Pregnancy 8. Delivery & Post-Birth Support Each stage is supported by our team so you always know what to expect.
Support & Benefits
Surrogacy is more than financial—it’s emotional, physical, and deeply personal. At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we honor your commitment with: - Competitive compensation packages - Wellness care packages at different milestones - Access to licensed mental health professionals - Surrogate Sister mentorship program - Peer support groups and ongoing community
