For Surrogates
Surrogate Fees
What surrogates actually get paid
When people search "surrogate fees," they almost always mean one of two very different things. This page is about what you — the surrogate — get paid. Not the agency, not the lawyers, not the IVF clinic. Just you.
Quick answer: First-time surrogates at AFS typically take home $55,000–$66,000+. Experienced surrogates take home $70,000–$90,000+. That's base compensation alone — before monthly allowance, milestone bonuses, travel, lost wages, and add-on fees, all of which are also paid to you.
Important to note that you decide your compensation — we provide a guide.
Surrogate fees vs. agency fees — what's the difference?
"Surrogate fees" on this page refers only to the money paid to the surrogate.
Agency fees, attorney fees, escrow administration, IVF and medical costs, health insurance premiums, and life insurance are all separate line items — paid by the intended parents to other parties, not to you.
If you're an intended parent looking for the full cost breakdown, see our Cost of Surrogacy in Florida guide.
Base compensation
First-time surrogate base compensation
Paid in monthly installments starting at confirmation of fetal heartbeat through delivery.
Experienced surrogate base compensation
Higher base for women who have completed a prior surrogacy journey.
These are recommended starting points. You set your own compensation when you complete your profile, and we work with you to make sure your number is honored in your match.
Fees paid to you on top of base
Monthly non-accountable miscellaneous allowance
Spending money for everyday costs related to your pregnancy such as local travel, parking, and over-the-counter medications. Begins the month after confirmation of heartbeat.
Medical & psychological screening completion
Paid when you successfully complete the screening process.
Contract signing bonus
Paid at signing of the gestational surrogacy contract with the intended parents.
Medication start fee
Paid when you begin your medication protocol (Lupron).
Embryo transfer fee
Paid per transfer attempt.
Insured surrogate bonus
Added to your base compensation if your own health insurance covers the pregnancy.
Pregnancy clothing allowance
Twin or multiple pregnancy bonus
C-section fee
Lost wages — you and your spouse/partner
For appointments and any doctor-ordered bed rest.
Housekeeping during doctor-ordered bed rest
Invasive procedures fee
Medical termination or selective reduction
Dropped cycle or mock cycle
In addition to the start-of-meds fee.
Travel — always paid before you travel
- Mileage, airfare, hotel, parking, tolls, and rideshare
- Food allowance on long travel days
- Pet boarding for overnight travel
- Additional childcare for surrogacy-related appointments
- Companion travel expenses for embryo transfer
Insurance — paid by the intended parents, for your benefit
- Health insurance arranged if yours can't be used. Medicaid is never used in our matches.
- $750,000 life insurance policy for the duration of your pregnancy.
- Independent legal counsel paid for by the intended parents, so your contract is reviewed by an attorney representing only you.
YOU NEVER GO OUT OF POCKET. EVER.
Every approved expense is paid before you travel — never after. You are never expected to front costs and wait for reimbursement.
See What You'd Earn
The fastest way to find out what your compensation would look like is to start with our 2-minute qualification questionnaire.
See If You Qualify →