Most "best surrogacy agencies" lists are either scraped together from agency marketing pages or paid for by the agencies themselves. This isn't one of those. We vetted dozens of agencies and partner with the four below because they actually deliver on the things that matter to surrogates: transparent compensation, real support, former-surrogate staff, and honest communication when things go wrong.
When you take our 2-minute quiz, we match you with one or more of these four based on your state, experience level, and priorities. We don't match you with agencies we wouldn't work with ourselves.
The 4 partner agencies at a glance
| Agency | HQ | Founded | First-timer total pay | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Makers | Atlanta, GA | 2016 | $95,000 | 4.8 (55 reviews) |
| Family Tree Surrogacy | San Diego, CA | 2014 | $80,000+ | 4.9 (56 reviews) |
| Simple Surrogacy | Dallas, TX | 2002 | $73,000 | 5.0 (32 reviews) |
| NewGen Families | Las Vegas / LA | 2021 | $72,000+ | 5.0 (9 reviews) |
Family Makers Surrogacy
What they're known for: All case coordinators are former surrogates. Owner is an intended parent. 1-hour response time during business hours. Matched immediately upon agency approval (typical).
Love them if: You value clear timelines, structured steps, open communication, and being treated like a person instead of a number.
Honest cons: The process can feel slower than expected during preparation. Firm expectations around medical guidance and communication boundaries.
Read full Family Makers review →Family Tree Surrogacy Center
What they're known for: Weekly check-ins minimum. 24/7 after-hours access to your case manager via direct cell. Matches with both U.S. and international families. Most coordinators are former surrogates; owner is a former surrogate.
Love them if: You want to feel heard and never like just a number. You appreciate explained-to-you clearly communication style. 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.
Read full Family Tree review →Simple Surrogacy
What they're known for: All-female owned since 2002. 70% LGBTQ+ intended parents. Owner is a 3-time surrogate herself. Sits on the Advisory Council of Men Having Babies and is a founding member of Gays with Kids.
Love them if: You want a coordinator who was a surrogate herself. You want to set the rules for how you and your IPs communicate. You want an escrow advocate to ensure fair, on-time payment.
Honest cons: Not the highest compensation in the industry — keeps pricing affordable for intended parents. Requires responsive, engaged surrogates.
Read full Simple Surrogacy review →NewGen Families
What they're known for: Senior-only staff with 10+ years of experience each. 50/50 heterosexual and same-sex intended parents. Founder is a dad through surrogacy. 2-3 surrogate meetups in Vegas each year. Highest experienced compensation in our partner network at $80K+ base.
Love them if: You value senior managers with 10+ years of experience. You appreciate clear structure and strong boundaries. You want an agency led by someone who understands the gift because he lived it.
Honest cons: Intended parents can't sign until matched — some find this frustrating. Rematching timelines aren't guaranteed.
Read full NewGen Families review →Not sure which agency fits your situation?
Our 2-minute quiz matches you based on your state, experience, and priorities. Get matched with one or more of our four partner agencies.
Find my match →How to pick the right agency for you
The best agency is different for different surrogates. Here's how the four partners compare on the dimensions that matter most:
- Family Tree — hands-on approach, 24/7 case manager access, weekly check-ins
- Family Makers — all-coordinator-former-surrogate staff, structured process
- NewGen Families — $80K+ experienced base, senior-only staff
- Family Makers — $70K+ experienced base, fastest response
- Simple Surrogacy — 70% LGBTQ+ intended parents
- NewGen Families — 50/50 hetero/same-sex split
- Family Makers — $95K first-timer total
- Family Tree — $80K+ first-timer total with bonus
- NewGen — $92K experienced total
What to look for in any agency
Whether you work with one of our partners or go elsewhere, these are the non-negotiables:
- SEEDS or ASRM membership. Trade organizations with ethical standards. If an agency isn't a member, ask why.
- Independent escrow. Your money should be held by a third-party escrow company, not the agency itself. "In-house escrow" is a red flag.
- Transparent compensation. Base pay, monthly allowance, and every line item should be posted publicly or shared upfront in writing.
- Independent legal counsel. Your attorney is paid by the intended parents but works for you. You should pick your own attorney from a list, not be assigned one.
- At least 5 years in operation. New agencies aren't automatically bad, but experience matters when things go wrong.
- Former surrogates on staff. Not just in marketing copy — actually doing coordinator and case manager work.
- Honest about cons. Any agency that can't name three things they're not great at is hiding something.
See our surrogacy agency red flags guide for warning signs to watch for.
Category guides
Looking for something specific? These pages go deeper on particular aspects of agency selection: