Your Guide to Surrogacy in Orange County, California

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Find or Become a Surrogate in Orange County

Whether you’re seeking a surrogate to help realize your dreams of parenthood or are interested in becoming a surrogate yourself, the team at GSHC Surrogacy Agency is here to help. We’ve had years of experience guiding both intended parents and surrogates through this unique, life-changing journey, working with people throughout Orange County — from Anaheim and Santa Ana to Irvine and Garden Grove.

With our GSHC office located in Orange County, surrogates benefit from local, in-person support, strong relationships with area hospitals and clinics, and easy access to top OB/GYN care and monitoring facilities. The region’s safe communities and excellent healthcare make it an ideal setting for a smooth and well-supported pregnancy.

Surrogacy Law in Orange County, California

California has comprehensive surrogacy laws designed to protect both intended parents and surrogates, as well as the baby. To learn more about California’s surrogacy laws, click the button below.

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Becoming a Surrogate in Orange County, California

Surrogacy Compensation in Orange County

GSHC provides competitive and transparent compensation for surrogates in Orange County:

  • First-Time Surrogates: Base compensation of $60,000 to $65,000, plus $8,000 to $15,000 in additional allowances (embryo transfer, heartbeat confirmation, maternity clothing, etc.)
  • Estimated Total: $70,000 to $80,000
  • Experienced Surrogates: Earn $90,000 to $100,000
  • GSHC VIP Surrogates: May earn over $100,000

All reimbursable costs—such as travel, medical insurance, and lost wages—are covered in full. Our goal is to ensure every surrogate feels valued, respected, and cared for throughout their journey.

Learn More About Surrogate Compensation

Surrogate Requirements in Orange County

To help ensure their health and well-being, as well as that of the baby, surrogates in Orange County must meet certain requirements. At GSHC, we maintain strict criteria, taking into account the surrogate’s age, prior surrogacy and pregnancy experience, physical and mental health, reasons for pursuing surrogacy, medical history, and more. Above all, our number-one goal is to facilitate a healthy, rewarding experience for all involved.

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Become a Surrogate in California

Do you live in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or anywhere else in California? Do you dream of helping someone grow their family? The path of surrogacy may be your calling. Connect today with GSHC and answer the call to become a surrogate.

Contact GSHC

Find a Surrogate in Orange County, California

Orange County is an ideal place to start your surrogacy journey. As a surrogacy-friendly state, California has legal framework in place to protect all involved parties to help ensure a happy outcome. California does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. Unlike some states, California does not require intended parents to have a genetic connection to the baby. At GSHC, we’ll guide you through every step of the surrogacy journey, from finding the right match for your specific needs to navigating financial and legal matters.

Surrogacy Costs in Orange County

The cost of surrogacy in Orange County will vary depending on a range of factors, including the intended parents and surrogate’s geographic location, the surrogate’s prior experience, specific or unexpected medical needs, any special requests outlined in the surrogacy contract, and whether the pregnancy results in multiples (twins). At GSHC, we understand the financial commitment involved in working with a surrogate and pride ourselves on full transparency. We’ll outline all anticipated expenses in detail at the outset of the process to avoid any surprises along the way. Although costs will vary case by case, most intended parents should expect to pay at least $144,000 total.

Learn About Surrogacy Costs

Benefits of Working with a Surrogate in Orange County

Intended parents—local, national, and international—consistently choose Orange County for its accessibility, comfort, and surrogacy expertise.

Top-Quality Hospitals & Monitoring Clinics

Orange County offers top-tier hospitals experienced in surrogacy births, including:

  • Hoag Hospital – Newport Beach
  • Saddleback Memorial Medical Center – Laguna Hills
  • UCI Medical Center – Orange
  • Kaiser Permanente – Anaheim & Irvine

These hospitals provide advanced maternity services, NICU care, and are familiar with surrogacy protocols to ensure smooth delivery and discharge experiences.

GSHC coordinates outside monitoring at either the intended parents’ fertility clinic (if nearby) or one of the trusted IVF centers in Orange County:

  • HRC Fertility – Newport Beach
  • CCRM Orange County
  • Reproductive Partners – Orange County

Easy and Convenient Travel

John Wayne Airport (SNA): Located in the heart of Orange County, ideal for domestic travel
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Just about an hour away, providing convenient access for international parents

Family-Friendly Environment

Many international families choose to stay in Orange County after their surrogate baby is born because of its:

  • Clean, safe neighborhoods
  • Access to pediatricians
  • Nearby passport offices
  • Comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for early bonding and post-birth needs

Smooth Post-Birth Process

Orange County courts and government offices are highly experienced with surrogacy cases, offering efficient legal processes for obtaining parentage orders and birth certificates.

GSHC’s Local Support

With our team based right here in the region, GSHC provides hands-on guidance, local coordination, and in-person updates—from matching to delivery and beyond.

Find a Surrogate in Orange County

Orange County is one of the best places in the U.S. to find a surrogate, and GSHC is here to guide you every step of the way. Connect with us and let us help you find your ideal surrogate match.

Contact GSHC

The Surrogacy Process in San Bernardino

The surrogacy process in Orange County typically involves several key steps:

Step 1. Matching

Creating a good match between surrogates and intended parents is a crucial step in the surrogacy journey, helping to ensure a harmonious experience. To start, intended parents will speak with our team to tell them what they’re looking for and what’s most important to them. We’ll create a profile based on this information and compare it to surrogates’ profiles to find potential matches, taking into account lifestyle, values, overall personality, and expectations and preferences around the surrogacy journey. Once a match is identified, a meeting will be set up to allow the intended parents and the surrogate to get to know one another.

Step 2. Medical, Psychological, and Legal Procedures

Once both parties are happy with a match, the surrogate can begin initial medical screenings to assess mental and physical health. Blood panels and other tests will be conducted to check for any communicable conditions that could be passed on to the baby, and thorough mental health evaluations will be done to ensure readiness for the surrogacy journey.

Once these medical processes are complete, legal processes can commence. The intended parents will work with their reproductive attorney to draft a comprehensive, legally binding surrogacy contract that specifies the exact expectations and requirements for every stage of the surrogacy journey. The surrogate will then review this document with her attorney and have the chance to request changes or ask any questions she may have. Once everyone is in agreement, all parties will sign the document.

After this point, the surrogate will begin seeing a fertility doctor and start on a regimen of medications to help prepare her body for the embryo transfer. After (typically) weeks of hormones and medications, the surrogate will travel once more to the fertility clinic for the embryo transfer which is a quick, same-day procedure, and most people experience no discomfort.

Step 3. Pregnancy and Birth

Two weeks after the embryo transfer, the surrogate will take a blood test to confirm she’s pregnant. Eight weeks after confirmation of pregnancy, she can start tapering off fertility medications and begin seeing an OB/GYN of her choosing.

The surrogate will be able to choose the hospital in which she’ll give birth. Most intended parents are present at the hospital for delivery. After giving birth, the surrogate will have some time to hold the baby before the intended parents take their new child home with them. Whether the intended parents and surrogate remain in contact after delivery and how much contact they have will depend upon what they agreed upon in the surrogacy contract.

Surrogacy in California FAQ

  • Surrogates in Orange County must meet certain basic requirements as set forth by the state of California. Like other agencies, GSHC Surrogacy Agency also maintains stringent criteria to help facilitate a smooth and stress-free experience. To qualify, all GSHC surrogates must:

    • Be age 21–38
    • Have a BMI of less than 31
    • Have had a child of one’s own and be raising that child
    • Have no more than five previous pregnancies or two C-sections (total number of pregnancies, including any miscarriages or terminations)
    • Have a healthy, stable living situation
    • Not use drugs or smoke cigarettes
    • Have good physical and mental health
    • Be financially stable
    • Be a U.S. citizen with no criminal record

  • The team at GSHC considers many different factors to help create ideal matches between intended parents and surrogates. To start, both intended parents and potential surrogates will create profiles outlining their expectations, preferences, lifestyles, personality traits, and more. They’ll also speak with the team at GSHC so we can get to know them better and fully understand their motivations for pursuing surrogacy. We carefully review all profiles to find potential matches and then set up a time for them to meet. This allows everyone ample time to get to know one another and feel confident with the pairing. If all parties are happy with the arrangement, the surrogate can begin initial medical screenings and evaluations

  • Surrogacy costs will vary depending on the specifics of the surrogacy contract, any special or unexpected medical situations, prior surrogacy experience, and more. Base pay, usually in the range of $40,000 to $80,000, is paid in monthly installments, while supplemental allowances are provided to cover surrogacy-related costs such as transportation to doctor’s appointments, maternity wear, prescription copays, and reimbursement for childcare and lost wages if applicable. Milestone payments also are paid out at major points of the journey, such as after embryo transfer. As with all agencies, a service fee will also be paid. GSHC will clearly outline all anticipated expenses at the beginning of the experience.

  • California law permits both gestational surrogacy, in which the surrogate uses a donated egg and therefore has no genetic link to the baby, as well as traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate uses her own eggs. Because traditional surrogacy is much more complicated both legally and emotionally, it is much less common and generally not recommended. At GSHC, we work only with gestational surrogates.

    California also allows both single and coupled intended parents to pursue surrogacy and does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. GSHC is proud to work with many LGBTQ+ families.

  • A surrogacy contract is a legally binding document that will be reviewed, agreed upon, and signed by the intended parents and the surrogate. The intended parents draft this contract with their attorney for the surrogate to review with her own attorney.

    This contract will detail all expectations and requirements for involved parties — typically covering compensation and expenses, how parentage will be established, any confidentiality agreements, medical requirements, restrictions on activities during pregnancy, frequency and mode of communication, and more. Some contracts may include specific requirements such as lifestyle- or religion-based dietary restrictions.

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Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

GSHC Surrogacy Agency is an internationally recognized, full-service boutique agency dedicated to helping families grow through surrogacy and egg donation. With a core ethos centered on a passion for assisted reproduction and family building, we prioritize the highest level of service for both intended parents and surrogates. What sets us apart is our unique approach — 80% of our Case Managers are former surrogates themselves, providing unparalleled empathy and expertise. Our extensive pool of surrogates, close relationships with elite professionals, and commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity ensure a seamless journey toward parenthood.

Whether you’re a compassionate woman interested in becoming a surrogate or an intended parent looking for a smooth and supported journey, GSHC Surrogacy & Egg Donation offers unmatched local expertise and personalized care—right here in beautiful Orange County, California. With GSHC Surrogacy Agency, you're in safe hands every step of the way. Learn more about how we can help facilitate your surrogacy journey in Orange County.

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