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Surrogacy in Illinois:
For Parents and Surrogates
Illinois is a highly surrogacy-friendly state, governed by the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act, which legalized compensated gestational surrogacy. The Act allows intended parents to establish legal parentage via pre-birth orders, provided at least one parent is genetically related to the child and at least one parent is genetically related to the child and all parties meet legal requirements. Having a reputable surrogacy agency like Giving Tree to help navigate the legal landscape can make your path to parenthood as smooth as possible in Illinois.
Surrogacy in Illinois:
A Guide for Intended Parents
From your first consultation to the moment your baby’s birth certificate is issued, Giving Tree Surrogacy provides the guidance, legal coordination, and emotional support that make surrogacy in Illinois a safe and fulfilling experience.
Through our national network of experienced reproductive law attorneys, we ensure that every family—regardless of origin or structure—has the legal protection and peace of mind they deserve. So you can focus on what matters most: bringing home your baby.
Why Parents in Illinois Choose Giving Tree Surrogacy
Our PRE-SCREENING PROCESS
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we go beyond standard checks to protect your journey. Every surrogate completes background screenings, home evaluations, and insurance reviews. Medical records are also pre-approved by our team and IVF nurses before a profile is ever shared, reducing risks and increasing your chances of success.
The SHORTEST WAIT TIME
Families choose Giving Tree because of our unmatched speed. With 3–5 fully pre-screened surrogates added to our pool each week, most intended parents match in just 1 week to 1 month - far faster than the industry’s 12+ month average. And with 60% of our surrogates returning for a second journey, your perfect match comes with proven experience.
No UPFRONT BARRIER
We believe every family deserves the chance to grow, which is why Giving Tree offers a low to no retainer fee structure.
You can explore your options and get matched without heavy financial commitments upfront.
Intended Parents We Support in Illinois
Every path to parenthood deserves support. That’s why we proudly serve a diverse community of intended parents in Illinois, offering compassionate, ethical, and personalized guidance at every step of the surrogacy journey.
We work with heterosexual couples facing infertility, medical conditions such as cancer, uterine issues, or multiple failed IVF attempts, LGBTQIA+ couples navigating unique legal and emotional considerations, and single parents by choice pursuing parenthood independently. We also support intended parents living with HIV through the SPAR program, in partnership with leading fertility clinics that follow strict 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.
Illinois Surrogacy Laws
Illinois is recognized as one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the United States, offering one of the clearest and most protective legal frameworks for intended parents. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act provides a well-defined process that allows intended parents to establish their parental rights without the need for court proceedings, and requires at least one of the intended parents is the biological parent as long as all legal requirements are properly met before birth.
Under Illinois law, a gestational surrogacy agreement must be completed and signed before any embryo transfer or medical procedures take place. Both the intended parents and the surrogate (and her spouse, if applicable) must be represented by independent legal counsel. The agreement must confirm that the surrogate has previously given birth, that all parties have undergone medical and psychological evaluations, and that all compensation or reimbursement terms are clearly stated. When these requirements are satisfied, the intended parents’ names can appear directly on the baby’s birth certificate—without needing a court order after delivery.
Illinois welcomes both domestic and international intended parents, including single parents and LGBTQIA+ families, ensuring that everyone has equal access to parenthood through surrogacy. Its well-established legal process and experienced courts make Illinois one of the most trusted and inclusive states for building families.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we guide intended parents and surrogates through every step of this process with clarity, compassion, and expertise. Every agreement we facilitate clearly defines medical, emotional, and logistical responsibilities, details the steps for establishing parentage, and complies fully with Illinois law. Our team works closely with experienced reproductive law attorneys throughout the state to ensure that your surrogacy journey proceeds smoothly and confidently from start to finish.
The Surrogacy Process in Illinois
Building your family through surrogacy is an exciting process, with several important milestones leading up to delivery day. The surrogacy process for intended parents from initial consultation until they are holding their baby varies in length, most journeys taking 20+ months to complete.
5 Steps to Surrogacy in Illinois
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Initial consultation & Intended Parent Intake (1-2 months)
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Matching with the Right Surrogate (1 week-1 month)
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Medical Screening & Legal Agreements (6 months)
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Surrogate Pregnancy (10 months)
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Birth, Support and Parenthood (ongoing)
Learn more details about our surrogacy process here.
How Much Does Surrogate Cost in Illinois?
Surrogacy costs vary for each individual journey. Intended parents in Illinois can plan for estimated costs for a surrogacy journey to be $149,500+, with the exact costs depending on the specific needs for their surrogate, pregnancy and delivery. If intended parents require an egg donor, those costs would be in addition to surrogacy costs.
Your total surrogacy costs include:
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Our Agency costs
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Your surrogate fees
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Your legal and escrow fees
If you have questions about surrogacy costs, inclusions and exclusions in pricing, or timelines, please contact Giving Tree Surrogacy.
Become a Parent Through Surrogacy in Illinois
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 Illinois?
Connect with our team today and take the first step toward bringing your baby home.
Surrogacy in Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois
Women who become surrogates are often mothers who loved being pregnant and want to give that joy to someone else. To qualify in Illinois, surrogates typically must:
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Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
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Be between 21–38 years old
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Have had at least one prior healthy pregnancy (maximum five), with no major complications
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Had no more than two C-sections
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Have a BMI under 32.
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Not be currently using tobacco or recreational drugs, or taking depression/anxiety medications.
These requirements are in place to protect your health and ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
Surrogacy Laws for Surrogates in Illinois
Illinois provides one of the strongest and clearest legal protections for surrogates in the U.S. Surrogates can expect:
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Gestational surrogacy agreements are legally enforceable under the Gestational Surrogacy Act.
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Surrogates are not considered legal parents once the agreement is properly executed.
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Independent legal counsel is required for surrogates, ensuring your rights are fully protected.
Women in Illinois can enter into surrogacy with peace of mind and confidence their rights will be protected.
The Surrogacy Process in Illinois
The surrogate process from start to finish can take about 18-20 months, but the exact timing depends on your individual circumstances. Your surrogacy journey typically follows these key milestones: 1. Application & Initial Consultation (1-2 months) 2. Psychological Pre-Screening (1-3 weeks) 3. Matching with Intended Parents (1-3 months) 4. Medical Screening (1-2 months) 5. Legal Agreements (1-2 months) 6. IVF Preparation & Embryo Transfer (1-2 months) 7. Pregnancy (10 months) 8. Delivery & Post-Birth Support (1-2 months) Each stage is supported by our team so you always know what to expect.
Surrogate Pay in Illinois
First-time surrogates can earn up to $92,000, and experienced surrogates can earn up to $115,000. Giving Tree has some of the highest surrogate pay in the industry. Surrogates can earn some of the highest compensation when they work with us. Women who become surrogates in Illinois receive compensation as well as additional benefits.
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
Who We Work With in Illinois
Every path to parenthood deserves support. That’s why we proudly serve a diverse community of intended parents in Illinois, offering compassionate, ethical, and personalized guidance at every step of the surrogacy journey.
We work with heterosexual couples facing infertility, medical conditions such as cancer, uterine issues, or multiple failed IVF attempts, LGBTQIA+ couples navigating unique legal and emotional considerations, and single parents by choice pursuing parenthood independently.
We also support intended parents living with HIV through the SPAR program, in partnership with leading fertility clinics that follow strict medical protocols to ensure safety and success.
Legal Landscape
Illinois is recognized as one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the United States, offering one of the clearest and most protective legal frameworks for intended parents. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act provides a well-defined process that allows intended parents to establish their parental rights without the need for court proceedings, as long as all legal requirements are properly met before birth.
Under Illinois law, a gestational surrogacy agreement must be completed and signed before any embryo transfer or medical procedures take place. Both the intended parents and the surrogate (and her spouse, if applicable) must be represented by independent legal counsel. The agreement must confirm that the surrogate has previously given birth, that all parties have undergone medical and psychological evaluations, and that all compensation or reimbursement terms are clearly stated. When these requirements are satisfied, the intended parents’ names can appear directly on the baby’s birth certificate—without needing a court order after delivery.
This statutory framework offers exceptional security and peace of mind for all parties involved. Illinois welcomes both domestic and international intended parents, including single parents and LGBTQIA+ families, ensuring that everyone has equal access to parenthood through surrogacy. Its well-established legal process and experienced courts make Illinois one of the most trusted and inclusive states for building families.
At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we guide intended parents and surrogates through every step of this process with clarity, compassion, and expertise. Every agreement we facilitate clearly defines medical, emotional, and logistical responsibilities, details the steps for establishing parentage, and complies fully with Illinois law. Our team works closely with experienced reproductive law attorneys throughout the state to ensure that your surrogacy journey proceeds smoothly and confidently from start to finish.
Obtaining proper legal documentation before birth is essential to ensure a seamless hospital experience and to confirm the intended parents’ rights from the moment of delivery. With the right preparation and support, Illinois offers one of the most secure and transparent pathways to parenthood through surrogacy in the United States.
