A surrogacy agency review is only useful if the reviewer has no skin in the game. We vetted the partners below using surrogate-reported data from Google, OVU.com, Facebook, and direct interviews. We don't take advertising money from agencies. Agencies pay us only when a surrogate we match with them completes her application — which means we're incentivized to recommend agencies that actually work out, not the ones that close the most deals.
The four agencies below are the only ones we match surrogates with. There are 150+ surrogacy agencies in the US. Most don't make our partner list. Some are fine but don't serve enough states. Others charge intended parents too much. A few have compensation or support practices we can't get behind.
At a glance
| Agency | HQ | Founded | First-timer Total | Experienced Base | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Makers | Atlanta, GA | 2016 | $95,000 | $70,000+ | 4.8 (55) |
| Family Tree Surrogacy | San Diego, CA | 2014 | $80,000+ | $75,000–$85,000 | 4.9 (56) |
| Simple Surrogacy | Dallas, TX | 2002 | $73,000 | $68,000+ | 5.0 (32) |
| NewGen Families | Las Vegas/LA | 2021 | $72,000+ | $80,000+ | 5.0 (9) |
Family Makers Surrogacy — 4.8 stars, 55 verified reviews
HQ: Atlanta, GA · Founded: 2016 · States served: All states except TX, LA, NE, NY
Family Makers is the fastest-matching, highest-compensation agency in our partner network for first-timers. First-time base is $60,000 with a total package of $95,000. Experienced surrogates earn $70,000+ base and $105,000+ total. All case coordinators are former surrogates — not salespeople with a script. The founder is an intended parent.
What surrogates say: 95% positivity rate across 55 reviews on Google, Facebook, and OVU.com. Top themes: full journey support (40%), knowledgeable team (40%), communication (35%), first-timer friendly (31%).
Communication style: Open and timely. Response within one hour during business hours. Emergency contact list with cell numbers for all case managers and the owner. Private Facebook group with ~85 surrogates and monthly virtual mental health support groups.
Honest cons: The preparation phase can feel slower than expected. Firm expectations around medical guidance. Surrogates are expected to stay engaged and responsive throughout the process.
Love them if: You value structure, clear timelines, and open communication. You want an agency that sees you as a person, not a contract.
Not right if: You want a fast, informal process. You're not comfortable with regular check-ins.
Read the full Family Makers review →Family Tree Surrogacy Center — 4.9 stars, 56 verified reviews
HQ: San Diego, CA · Founded: 2014 · States served: Prefers CA, AZ, NV
Family Tree is the most hands-on partner for first-timers. First-time base is $60,000 plus a $1,000 bonus, with an $80,000+ total package. Experienced surrogates earn $75,000–$85,000 base and $90,000–$105,000 total. 24/7 after-hours access to your case manager via direct cell phone — one of the only agencies where that's actually true. Matches with both U.S. and international intended families.
What surrogates say: 98% positivity rate across 56 Google reviews. Top themes: communication (27%), full journey support (27%), family-like atmosphere (20%), first-timer friendly (14%).
Communication style: Text and email for quick updates, calls as needed. Minimum weekly check-ins, more if you want. 24/7 access for urgent matters including case manager cell. Private online surrogate group. Continuous counseling and emotional support.
Honest cons: Not every match works out, and rematching is sometimes necessary. Post-birth contact with intended parents isn't always ongoing. You'll work with a small team, not a call center.
Love them if: You want to feel heard and never like just a number. You want things explained clearly and never feel silly asking questions. You want support whether you prefer close contact or a more private journey.
Not right if: You want the fastest possible match over the right match. You prefer a hands-off, minimal-communication experience.
Read the full Family Tree review →Simple Surrogacy — 5.0 stars, 32 verified reviews
HQ: Dallas, TX · Founded: 2002 · States served: 70% Texas, then Midwest/Central states
Simple Surrogacy is the longest-operating partner in our network, founded in 2002. First-time base is $58,000–$63,000 with a $73,000 total package. Experienced surrogates earn $68,000+ base and $89,000 total. All-female owned and operated. The owner is a 3-time surrogate herself. 70% of their intended parents are LGBTQ+ couples — they sit on the Advisory Council of Men Having Babies and are founding members of Gays with Kids.
What surrogates say: 100% positivity rate across 32 reviews. Every reviewed surrogate reports a positive experience. Top themes: full journey support (25%), successful delivery (16%), financial management (16%), perfect matching (12%).
Communication style: Works with your preferred method — email, text, or calls. Weekly check-ins, plus before and during all milestones. Immediate response during business hours, 24/7 emergency contact after hours. 8 counseling sessions available at request. Partner can attend any counseling session.
Honest cons: They don't pay the highest compensation — they keep pricing affordable for intended parents. They require surrogates who are responsible and engaged. They're not backed by private equity, so they don't have huge ad budgets.
Love them if: You want a coordinator who was a surrogate herself. You want a long-standing, all-female-owned agency. You want an escrow advocate ensuring you're paid fairly and on time.
Not right if: You only want the highest compensation. You don't want to communicate with your coordinator regularly.
Read the full Simple Surrogacy review →NewGen Families — 5.0 stars, 9 verified reviews
HQ: Las Vegas & LA · Founded: 2021 · States served: CA, NV, OR, AZ, WA, ID, CO, WY, MT, MI, PA, VT, NJ, DE, DC, CT, MA, NH, ME
NewGen is the youngest agency in our partner network (founded 2021) but pays the highest experienced compensation at $80,000+ base and $92,000 total. First-time base is $60,000 with $72,000+ total. Senior-only staff with 10+ years of experience each — no junior coordinators on new surrogate journeys. 50/50 split between heterosexual and same-sex intended parents. Founder is a dad through surrogacy who experienced failed attempts in India and Thailand before success in the US.
What surrogates say: 100% positivity rate across 9 reviews on Google, Expecting.ai, and Surrogacy Network. Top themes: knowledgeable team (44%), LGBTQ+ inclusive (11%).
Communication style: Organic and flexible with minimum weekly check-ins. Response within 24 hours, usually immediately via text. 24/7 availability. WhatsApp groups and Facebook group. IP and surrogate mental health support with Embra Health.
Honest cons: Intended parents can't sign until matched — some find this frustrating. NewGen doesn't share waiting list info with intended parents. Rematching timelines aren't guaranteed. Smaller review count than other partners due to being newer.
Love them if: You want a team of senior staff with a decade of experience each. You value structured, clear processes. You appreciate an agency led by someone who genuinely understands surrogacy from the IP side.
Not right if: You're strongly pro-life and wouldn't support IPs' medical decisions. You see surrogacy as purely transactional. You struggle with injections or medical protocols.
Read the full NewGen Families review →Which agency fits your situation?
Our quiz matches you based on your state, experience level, and priorities. Get matched with the right partner.
Find my match →How we review agencies
We score each partner across 8 dimensions (0-20 scale each):
- Compensation — how competitive is the pay relative to industry and the surrogate's experience level?
- Communication — how responsive and proactive is the agency day-to-day?
- Community — how strong are the surrogate community events, groups, and peer connections?
- LGBTQ+ inclusion — how active is their support for LGBTQ+ intended families?
- Helper orientation — how well do they support surrogates motivated by helping, not just money?
- Flexibility — how adaptable is the process to the surrogate's real life?
- First-timer friendliness — how welcoming and supportive for first-time surrogates?
- Experienced-surrogate service — how well do they serve repeat surrogates?
All scores come from verified reviews on Google, Facebook, OVU.com, Expecting.ai, and direct surrogate interviews. Agencies can't pay to improve their scores.