There is no standard fee when it comes how much money a surrogate mother is paid. The costs are estimated, as each situation is different depending on the individuals involved. A first time surrogate may request a smaller fee; an experienced surrogate may charge as much as $5,000 to $10,000 more. Surrogates generally request an itemized compensation plan as part of their contracts.
Surrogate Contracts
A surrogate and her intended parents generally choose what fees to itemize in the contract. The fees included in the surrogacy agreement are based on their particular situation. The contract outlines in detail how the surrogate will be compensated. Compensation can include a wide range of fees, although surrogacy contracts typically start with a base fee. In some cases, a contract may include a monthly allowance to cover miscellaneous expenses related to the pregnancy. Most first-time surrogate mothers receive compensation of between $15,000 and $20,000, according to Information-on-Surrogacy.com. A second-time surrogate mother receives between $23,000 and $28,000 on average. Additional, separate fees may be included in the contract. There will also be attorney fees to draft the agreement and court filing fees. This cost can add up to several thousands of dollars.
Initial Fees
Initial fees related to surrogacy generally include fees related to medical screening and embryo transfer. The surrogate fee schedule may include reimbursement for any lost wages, childcare or housekeeping services needed during required bed rest following the embryo transfer. A surrogate is usually paid half the fee for embryo transfer at the start of injections and the remaining 50 percent on the day of transfer. The average embryo transfer fee is $1,000, although fees can range from $500 to $1,500.
Extra Expenses
Most surrogate contracts include an allowance for maternity clothing. In most cases, the allowance is paid at the start of month 3 or 4 and averages about $500 to $750. The allowance may be higher if the surrogate works a professional job. There may also be the additional cost for insurance coverage if the surrogate is not already insured under a policy that will cover prenatal care, labor and delivery
Additional Procedures Fees
Surrogates who need a Cesarean section on delivery are paid an additional fee to compensate them for recovery time and added discomfort. Women who have previously undergone a c-section may not wish to include this fee. A surrogate may be compensated for undergoing other invasive procedures. Surrogate contracts often list a separate fee for each different procedure. A surrogate receives $500 to $1,000 on average for each procedure. Sometimes compensation may be higher.
Multiples Pregnancy
Surrogate mothers who carry multiple fetuses are paid an additional fee. A fee of $2,500 is the average amount paid to surrogates pregnant with twins. The multiples fee for triplets is usually about $5,000, although a surrogate may agree to a lesser fee. The intended parents typically pay the multiples fee after the 20th week of pregnancy. They may compensate the surrogate in one lump sum or break it into payments.
Agency Fees
If the intended parents work through a surrogacy agency, the agency will charge a fee to cover the costs for advertising, interviewing and screening possible surrogates, and managing the case throughout the pregnancy. Agency fees can be as much as $20,000 or more. An agency may charge an additional fee to perform a criminal background check on the surrogate mother and her spouse. Medical and psychological screenings required by the agency are not always included in the agency fee and may be separate charges.
Less Common Fees
A surrogate may be compensated for attending mandatory monthly surrogate support group meetings that the agency may require. In some cases, a one-year life insurance policy is purchased for the surrogate. Some experienced surrogates ask for a retainer or commitment fee of up to 10 percent of the base fee. The amount is an advance on the base fee and is paid at the signing of the contract; it is not additional compensation.
