How long does a typical surrogacy journey take?
Learn the answer to this week's user-submitted question about surrogacy in this week's installment of Ask a Surrogacy Expert! Have a question about surrogacy that you'd like answered? Submit it at https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ask
How Long Does the Surrogacy Process Take?
Surrogacy timeline: Typically 18 months to 3 years, covering application, matching, medical prep, legal contracts, pregnancy, and post-birth steps.
Application to screening: Takes 3 to 6 months, includes background and psychological checks for carriers.
Matching phase: Varies 1 to 6 months, focusing on finding the best fit based on location and preferences.
Medical and legal phases: IVF prep takes 2 to 4 months; legal contracts also last 2 to 4 months before medical procedures begin.
Post-birth steps: Legal parentage established in 1 to 3 months, plus medical bill and escrow finalizations.
Support and engagement: Ashley offers free consultations, ongoing encouragement, and stresses safety, patience, and clear communication.
Ready to change lives as a gestational carrier?
Transcript:
Hello, hello. Your surrogacy BFF Ashley here. Our ask question today is a very common question that we receive. How long does the surrogacy process take? It's truly a great question. And while every journey is unique, the overall timeline is typically between 18 months and three years from start to finish. Let's break that down. The first step is the application and screening process, which usually takes about three to six months. During this time you will complete applications, background checks, psychological evaluations, gathering records and reviewing those records to ensure everyone is set up for a successful journey. Next comes matching, which can take anywhere between one to six months. This is one of the most variable parts of the process because we're focused on finding the right match, not just the fastest one. Factors like location and personal preferences can influence how long this step takes.
Once matched, we move into medical clearance and IVF preparation, which generally takes two to four months. The gestational carrier completes medical record clearance as well as medical screening with your fertility clinic. And once they are approved, everyone prepares for the legal contracts. After medical clearance, like mentioned, comes the legal phase, typically lasting anywhere between two to four months. Given everybody's schedules, but both intended parent and gestational carrier have their own attorneys to review, negotiate and finalize their surrogacy agreement before any medications or medical procedures begin. Then, once legal contracts are completed, it is time for the exciting part, the embryo transfer. The medication protocol and scheduling usually takes about one to two months. This all depends on your carrier cycle or birth control cycle.
While the transfer itself is a quick procedure, there is a short waiting period after to confirm whether the pregnancy was successful. If all goes well, the next chapter is a healthy nine month pregnancy filled with milestones, appointments and plenty of excitement as everyone prepares to welcome baby after delivery, there are a still few. Excuse me, There are still a few final steps. Depending on your state, establishing legal parentage may take 1 to 2, 3 months. During this time, we also help finalize medical bills, reconcile the escrow account and if included in the agreement, coordinate breast milk or pumping arrangements. A few things can impact the overall timeline, including how quickly paperwork is completed, flexibility on matching your matching preferences, your clinic schedules, and if mock cycles are needed.
State laws can also cause a variable and whether more than one embryo is needed for transfer. While surrogacy requires patients, every step is designed to create the safest and strongest foundation possible for everyone involved. If you're ready to help grow another family as a gestational carrier, we love to meet you. And if you're hoping to grow your family through surrogacy. You can schedule a free consultation with brightff I'm Ashley, your surrogacy BFF, and I can't wait to cheer you on and support you through every step of this incredible journey.
