Pick your path
See the 2026 rankings
Our ranked list of the four partners by category: first-timers, experienced surrogates, LGBTQ+ match priority, and pay.
Best surrogacy agencies 2026 →Read verified reviews
Every partner reviewed in depth, plus how we verify review sources and what the data shows.
Surrogacy agency reviews →Find agencies in my state
State guides for the three biggest surrogacy markets. Other states: see coverage below.
Agencies in California →Agencies in Texas →
Agencies in Florida →
The 4 partner agencies at a glance
| Agency | HQ | Founded | States named on this site | First-time base | First-time typical total | Public rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Makers | Atlanta, GA | 2016 | FL, GA, IL, PA, OH, VA, MD, NC, SC | $60,000 | $95,000 | 4.8 · 55 reviews |
| Family Tree Surrogacy Center | San Diego, CA | 2014 | CA, NV | $60,000 (+ $1,000 bonus) | $80,000+ | 4.9 · 56 reviews |
| Simple Surrogacy | Dallas, TX | 2002 | TX | $58,000–$63,000 | $73,000 | 5.0 · 32 reviews |
| NewGen Families | Las Vegas, NV / Los Angeles, CA | 2021 | CA, NV, WA, OR, CO, PA | $60,000 | $72,000+ | 5.0 · 9 reviews |
Where each partner works
Family Makers Surrogacy
What they're known for: Every case coordinator is a former surrogate. The owner is an intended parent. The agency states a one-hour response during business hours and reports fast matching once you're approved; ask them for current wait times.
A good fit if: you want clear timelines, structured steps, open communication, and to be treated like a person instead of a number.
Honest cons: the preparation phase can feel slower than expected. Firm expectations around medical guidance and communication boundaries.
Verified-review pull-quote pending consent: one specific sentence on matching wait or payment timing, with first name and state.Hidden until consent is on file
Family Tree Surrogacy Center
What they're known for: weekly check-ins at minimum, and after-hours access to your case manager by direct cell. Matches with both U.S. and international families. Most coordinators are former surrogates, and so is the owner.
A good fit if: you want to feel heard and never like a number. You want things explained clearly, in plain English. You want easy, open communication by text, call, or email.
Honest cons: not every match works out, and sometimes rematching is necessary. Post-birth contact with intended parents isn't always ongoing.
Verified-review pull-quote pending consent: one specific sentence on matching wait or payment timing, with first name and state.Hidden until consent is on file
Simple Surrogacy
What they're known for: all-female owned since 2002. About 70% of their intended parents are LGBTQ+. The owner is a three-time surrogate herself. The agency lists an advisory role with Men Having Babies and founding membership in Gays with Kids.
A good fit if: you want a coordinator who was a surrogate herself. You want to set the rules for how you and your intended parents communicate. You want an escrow advocate to keep payments fair and on time.
Honest cons: not the highest pay in the network; they keep pricing affordable for intended parents. They expect responsive, engaged surrogates.
Verified-review pull-quote pending consent: one specific sentence on matching wait or payment timing, with first name and state.Hidden until consent is on file
NewGen Families
What they're known for: senior staff only, each with 10+ years in the field (agency-stated). A 50/50 split of heterosexual and same-sex intended parents. Two or three surrogate meetups in Las Vegas each year. Experienced base starts at $80,000.
A good fit if: you value senior managers over junior coordinators. You appreciate clear structure and strong boundaries. You want an agency led by a dad who became a parent through surrogacy himself.
Honest cons: the newest agency in our network, so the review count is small. Intended parents can't sign until matched, which some find frustrating. Rematching timelines aren't guaranteed.
Verified-review pull-quote pending consent: one specific sentence on matching wait or payment timing, with first name and state.Hidden until consent is on file
Not sure which agency fits your situation?
Our 2-minute quiz matches you based on your state, experience, and priorities, with one or more of these four.
Find my matchWhich partner fits which surrogate
The best agency is different for different surrogates. Here's how the four compare on the things people ask us about most. Pay figures are each agency's published rates, checked Aug 2026.
First-timers who want hand-holding
- Family Tree — weekly check-ins, after-hours case manager access
- Family Makers — every coordinator a former surrogate, structured process
Experienced surrogates
- Family Tree — $75,000–$85,000 experienced base
- NewGen Families — $80,000+ experienced base
- Family Makers — $70,000+ base, $105,000+ typical total
LGBTQ+ match priority
- Simple Surrogacy — about 70% LGBTQ+ intended parents
- NewGen Families — 50/50 split
Highest published first-time total
- Family Makers — $95,000 typical total
- Family Tree — $80,000+ typical total, with the $1,000 bonus
For the ranked version with our reasoning, see the best surrogacy agencies of 2026.
How we vet agencies
We don't score agencies on marketing. We score them on seven things a surrogate can actually check. An agency has to clear all seven to be listed here. The full methodology and the evidence per agency live on our reviews page; the criteria themselves are on our about page.
- Ethics membershipSEEDS membership (the agency ethics body), and clinics that follow ASRM gestational-carrier guidance
- Independent escrowYour funds sit with a third-party escrow company, never in the agency's own account
- Published compensationBase pay, allowance, and every contingent line item posted publicly or given in writing before you apply
- Independent legal counselYou pick your own attorney; intended parents pay the bill
- Track recordYears of completed journeys. NewGen, founded 2021, is the newest partner and we say so
- Former surrogates on staffDoing the coordinator work, not just quoted in marketing
- Honest about consAny agency that can't name three things it's not great at is hiding something
Whether you work with one of our partners or go elsewhere, run any agency through the same list. Our agency red flags guide covers the warning signs that mean walk away.
Agency fees vs surrogate compensation
People ask us "how much do surrogacy agencies charge?" and the honest answer is: not you. Agencies charge intended parents an agency fee, typically $25,000–$40,000, on top of what the intended parents pay you. That fee covers screening, matching, case management, and coordination.
Your compensation is separate. It's paid to you through an independent escrow account on the schedule in your contract. A reputable agency never charges a surrogate, never deducts fees from your compensation, and never asks you to pay for screening. If one does, that's a red flag, not a policy.
Intended parents: the same four agencies serve you too. Start with our intended parents guide for the cost picture from your side.
Frequently asked questions
How many surrogacy agencies are there in the US?
What makes a surrogacy agency reputable?
How are surrogacy agencies paid?
Can I work with multiple agencies at once?
Do agencies charge surrogates any fees?
What if I don't live in a state the agency serves?
Sources
- Partner agency published rate sheets and service areas (Family Makers, Family Tree Surrogacy Center, Simple Surrogacy, NewGen Families), checked Aug 2026 — see our review and rate data
- Public review counts and ratings from Google, Facebook, OVU.com, Surrogacy Advisor, Expecting.ai, and Surrogacy Network, tallied Aug 2026 — methodology on our reviews page
- Agency fee range from partner intended-parent fee schedules, checked Aug 2026 — see intended parents guide
- ASRM Practice Committee, "Recommendations for practices using gestational carriers: a committee opinion" (2022) — asrm.org, accessed 2026-08-26