Introduction
In many surrogacy programs, agency fees are required as soon as intended parents are matched with a surrogate. In fact, some agencies even ask intended parents to sign a retainer agreement and pay tens of thousands of dollars right after the very first consultation—just to join a waiting list. Families may then wait nearly a year before they are even allowed to review surrogate profiles and enter the matching process.
At Ivy Surrogacy, we believe this model creates unnecessary stress and financial pressure. That’s why we do things differently: you owe no agency fee until your surrogate has successfully passed both medical and psychological screenings. This approach lowers upfront risks, preserves flexibility, and ensures intended parents can focus on what truly matters—building their family.
The Risks of Paying Agency Fees at Match
Most surrogacy agencies require intended parents to pay partial or full agency fees the moment a match is made. But at that stage, there is no guarantee that the surrogate will:
- Comfortably pass medical screening at the fertility clinic, or
- Successfully complete the psychological evaluation.
If she does not, the intended parents face delays, uncertainty, and non-refundable costs. Families often report feeling “trapped” with one agency while waiting for a rematch—sometimes for months—without knowing when the process will move forward.
Some intended parents have come to Ivy Surrogacy after experiencing these setbacks elsewhere. For them, it became clear that money is secondary—welcoming a child is what truly matters.
Ivy Surrogacy’s Client-First Policy
We understand both the emotional and financial pressures of surrogacy. That is why we only collect our agency fees after the surrogate passes both screenings.
Policy at a Glance
- No agency fee at match.
- Agency fees are due only after medical & psychological clearance.
- If screening fails, we rematch promptly—no penalties.
- Families remain free to explore other agencies before fees are due.
This policy ensures that intended parents begin their journey with greater peace of mind.
What We Do Before Any Agency Fee
Even before a single dollar is paid to Ivy Surrogacy, our team invests substantial time and resources:
- Curating and pre-screening qualified surrogate candidates
- Coordinating records review with your chosen fertility clinic
- Scheduling and preparing match meetings
- Supporting clinic-arranged medical screening and psychological evaluation
- Mapping out your timeline with clear next steps
Note: Costs for medical and psychological screenings, as well as travel expenses for the surrogate to attend appointments, are typically billed directly by clinics, evaluators, or travel providers. These are not Ivy agency fees.
What Happens If Screening Fails?
If a surrogate does not pass screening or chooses not to proceed:
- We immediately prioritize rematching intended parents with another candidate.
- Intended parents owe no agency fee to Ivy.
- Families remain free to pause or consider other agencies without financial loss.
This flexibility reflects our belief that trust—not contracts—should hold families and agencies together.
Included vs Not Included (Before Fees Are Due)
Item | Ivy Surrogacy (Before Agency Fee) | Typical Agencies (At Match) |
|---|---|---|
When Fees Are Due | After surrogate passes screenings | At match, before screenings |
Flexibility to Change Course | High—no agency penalties | Low—fees often non-refundable |
Upfront Risk for Parents | Reduced | Higher |
What-If Scenarios
- If the surrogate fails screening → We rematch promptly; no agency fee owed.
- If intended parents pause or switch agencies → They may do so freely before fees are due.
- If the clinic requests extra testing → We coordinate efficiently to keep the process on track.
Why We Do This
Our fee policy is not only about financial flexibility—it is about values. At Ivy Surrogacy, we want intended parents to feel supported, not pressured. By waiting to collect our agency fee until after the surrogate passes screening, we:
- Demonstrate integrity—we earn trust before we earn fees.
- Promote transparency—families know exactly what stage they are in before paying.
- Put families first—our priority is building healthy families, not protecting agency revenue.
This value-driven approach builds long-term relationships and a reputation of trust, which we believe is far more valuable than short-term financial gain.
Why This Policy Serves Families Better
Our fee structure reflects Ivy Surrogacy’s values of integrity, transparency, and empathy.
- It lowers upfront risk during an already emotional process.
- It preserves freedom of choice.
- It builds trust between intended parents and our agency.
While this approach may appear to put us at a business disadvantage, we know it is the right choice for the families we serve. For us, parenthood—not profit—comes first.
FAQs
1. Do any costs apply before the surrogate passes screening?
Yes. While no Ivy agency fees are due, intended parents are responsible for third-party costs directly billed by clinics or evaluators. These include:
- Medical screening fees (clinic)
- Psychological evaluation fees (mental health professional)
- Travel expenses for the surrogate to attend appointments
2. What happens if the surrogate does not pass?
We rematch quickly. No Ivy agency fee is due.
3. Why don’t you charge at match?
Because families deserve flexibility and reduced financial risk during uncertain early stages.
4. When exactly are agency fees due?
Only after the surrogate passes both screenings.
5. Can intended parents switch agencies before paying?
Yes. Our policy allows full freedom without penalties.
6. What services are included before any agency fee?
Candidate curation, match coordination, clinic liaison, and timeline planning.
7. Does this delay the surrogacy journey?
No. Screenings proceed on the same timeline, but without unnecessary financial lock-in.
8. Is this policy available to international families?
Yes. We coordinate screenings and communications remotely to support intended parents worldwide.
Conclusion
At Ivy Surrogacy, we put ourselves in the shoes of intended parents. By charging agency fees only after screenings are complete, we remove financial pressure at the start of your journey, giving you the freedom to focus on building your family with confidence and trust.
👉 Ready to begin without the upfront agency fee? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
