How long does the surrogacy process take in California?

The entire surrogacy journey typically takes 12-18 months from initial consultation to birth, depending on various factors including matching time and medical procedures.

What are the California surrogacy requirements to become a surrogate?

To become a surrogate in California, you must be between 21-40 years old, have had at least one successful pregnancy, maintain a healthy BMI, be a non-smoker, and live in a stable environment.

How much does surrogacy cost in California?

Total surrogacy journey costs typically range from $150,000 to $230,000+, including agency fees ($42,500), surrogate compensation, medical expenses, legal fees, insurance, and escrow. Every dollar is accounted for before you commit.

How much compensation do surrogates receive?

At On Fertility Ground, surrogates set their own base compensation rate — your worth, your choice. We never negotiate your rate down. Additional benefits include maternity clothing ($750-$1,000), monthly expense allowance ($250/month), embryo transfer fees, and more.

Intended Parents

LGBTQ+ Surrogacy in California — What You Need to Know

April 1, 2026 · 9 min read · On Fertility Ground Surrogacy

LGBTQ+ families are not an afterthought in OFG's program. They are a core constituency.

California Legal Protections

California law explicitly protects LGBTQ+ parental rights. Both parents are listed on the birth certificate via Pre-Birth Order — no adoption required, regardless of genetic connection.

For Gay Male Couples

You will need an egg donor and a gestational surrogate. OFG can coordinate both, or you can bring your own egg donor.

For Lesbian Couples

One partner may provide eggs while the other carries (reciprocal IVF), or you may use a gestational surrogate with one partner's eggs or donor eggs.

For Single LGBTQ+ Parents

Single intended parents receive the same level of support, the same legal protections, and the same matching attention as couples.

Matching at OFG

We screen surrogates for genuine excitement about LGBTQ+ families — not mere tolerance. Our contracts, language, and intake processes are designed to be affirming of every family structure.

From Our Founder

Bree — Founder & CEO, On Fertility Ground

I built OFG because I looked at this industry and did not see enough of us. "Us" meaning Black women, Latina women, multicultural families. And "us" also meaning LGBTQ+ families — who have been using California surrogacy for decades and who still, in too many spaces, feel like they are being accommodated rather than celebrated.

You deserve more than tolerance. You deserve an agency that sees you fully, matches you intentionally, and celebrates your family the way your family deserves to be celebrated.

— Bree | info@onfertilityground.com

Ready to Learn More?

Whether you're considering surrogacy as a surrogate or an intended parent, we're here to answer every question personally.

Become a Surrogate Intended Parent Inquiry

Email us at info@onfertilityground.com — We answer every inquiry personally.