The Surrogacy Journey in Fresno, California

Your Guide to Becoming or Finding a Surrogate in Fresno, CA and Across the Golden State.

Embarking on a surrogacy journey in Fresno, California, is a deeply personal and meaningful way to either expand your family or help someone else create theirs. Whether you're hopeful parents ready to move forward with a surrogate, or a local woman considering becoming a surrogate to make a lasting impact, understand this: surrogacy is an expression of strength, generosity, and hope, and you don't have to navigate this path alone.

Here in Fresno, GSHC provides expert legal guidance, a strong local support network, one of the most competitive compensation packages in California's Central Valley, and a dedicated team to help you move through the process with compassion and expertise.

Let's explore what you need to know about surrogacy in Fresno, including how the process works, what California law requires, and why so many families and surrogates choose GSHC to kickstart their journey.

Who Becomes a Surrogate?

Deciding to become a surrogate is a choice that is rooted in compassion, purpose, and a desire to make a real difference. For local women in Fresno, it's about giving someone an amazing gift while also creating new opportunities for their own families along the way.

Every woman's "why" is different, but here are some of the reasons to become a surrogate:

  • You want to help someone experience the incredible feeling of becoming a parent
  • It's a chance to strengthen your family's financial future
  • You genuinely loved being pregnant and want to do it again for a beautiful cause

Most surrogates in Fresno are between 21 and 38 years old, have already had at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy, and feel ready to help a local family make their dreams come true. As a surrogate, you're going to be part of someone's world for over a year. You'll be there through doctor visits, treatments, the whole pregnancy journey, delivery day, and everything that comes after. That's exactly why having GSHC right here in your backyard matters so much. We're not just an agency; we're your support system, your advocates, and your guides through every single step.

Who Uses a Surrogate?

Surrogacy opens doors to parenthood for so many people who thought those doors might otherwise be closed. Intended parents come from every corner of life, but they all share that same powerful dream: they want to create or grow their family.

Many intended parents include:

  • Couples who've been trying for years but face fertility challenges or health issues that make pregnancy risky
  • LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who are ready to welcome a child into their loving homes
  • Single people who know they're meant to be parents and are ready to make it happen on their own terms

Become a Surrogate in Fresno, CA

If you're a woman in Fresno considering becoming a surrogate, it's important to know that California has some of the most comprehensive surrogacy laws in the country, fully supporting and protecting these arrangements.

There are two types of surrogacy that are legal in California:

  • Gestational surrogacy: You carry a baby created from the intended parents' or donors' egg and sperm, so you're not biologically related to the child
  • Traditional surrogacy: You use your own egg, which is combined with sperm from the intended father or a donor.

While both types of surrogacy are legal, traditional surrogacy is not recommended or practiced due to the legal and emotional complexities.

Here's what the process to become a surrogate typically involves:

  1. Initial Screening & Qualifications: When you work with an agency like GSHC, we will begin with a simple application and screening process, ensuring you meet the following criteria:
  • You are between the ages of 21 and 38 years old
  • You have had at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy
  • You live a stable and healthy lifestyle
  • You have a BMI between 18-34
  1. Medical & Psychological Evaluation: Next, you'll undergo a full physical and psychological assessment to ensure you're ready for the impending journey. These are not hurdles to scare you but safety nets, designed to support your well-being.
  2. Matching With Intended Parents: After approval, you’ll be matched with intended parents who share your values and vision for the surrogacy relationship. You’ll meet, ask questions, and make sure it feels like the right fit for everyone.
  3. Legal Contracts & Protections: In 2013, California strengthened its surrogacy laws with comprehensive legislation that established clear legal guidelines for surrogacy arrangements. All parties must be represented by separate legal counsel, and a detailed legal agreement must be drafted, signed, and notarized before any medical procedures begin. This protects your rights as a surrogate and ensures everyone understands their responsibilities and expectations from the start.
  4. Embryo Transfer & Pregnancy: After legal contracts are signed, you’ll begin the medical process, which includes taking medications to prepare your body for embryo transfer. Most transfers take place at trusted local fertility clinics in Fresno that GSHC partners closely with, like Fresno Fertility Center or Women's Specialty and Fertility Center.

Once there’s a confirmed pregnancy, everything becomes a little more real and a lot more rewarding. From that point on, you’ll receive regular prenatal care, emotional check-ins, and compensation according to your surrogacy agreement.

Delivery Hospitals for Surrogates in the Fresno Area

Fertility Clinics for IVF & Surrogacy Monitoring in the Fresno Area

At every step, GSHC provides expert guidance, legal protection, and the compassionate support of a local team that understands the surrogacy process. We’re proud to partner with local women in Fresno, CA to make a powerful difference, one family at a time.

Surrogate Compensation in Fresno, CA: How Much Are Surrogates Paid?

Surrogate compensation in Fresno through GSHC is both generous and competitive, making this area ideal for women considering surrogacy.

  • First-time surrogates typically receive a base compensation of $60,000 to $65,000, plus additional allowances for embryo transfer, medication start, heartbeat confirmation, maternity clothing, and more — ranging from $8,000 to $15,000.
  • Estimated total: $70,000 to $80,000
  • Experienced Surrogates can earn $90,000 to $100,000, and our GSHC VIP Surrogates may earn over $100,000.

Additionally, altruistic surrogacy is also legal in California. This option, often chosen when helping a close friend or family member, does not involve financial compensation beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

Learn More About Surrogate Compensation and Pay

Become a Surrogate in Fresno

Do you live in Fresno 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.

Apply Today!

Find a Surrogate in Fresno, CA

California’s progressive values, strong legal protections, and world-class fertility care make it an ideal place for surrogacy, but what truly sets it apart is its heartfelt celebration of family in all its forms.

Finding the right surrogate in Fresno, CA is a thoughtful, collaborative journey that includes:

  • Initial Consultation: Begin by meeting with our experienced surrogacy professionals to learn about the process, discuss your goals, and share your hopes for the journey ahead.
  • Surrogate Screening: Every potential surrogate undergoes a thorough screening process, including medical, psychological, and lifestyle evaluations, to ensure they’re fully prepared for the responsibilities of surrogacy.
  • Matching Process: You'll review detailed surrogate profiles and select someone whose values, personality, and expectations align with yours. Factors like age, background, lifestyle, and communication style may all play a role in your decision.
  • Introduction Meeting: Once a match is made, surrogates and intended parents will have an opportunity to meet. This meeting helps establish a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and open communication, which is essential for a positive surrogacy experience.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Fresno?

Intended parents in Fresno, CA can expect the total cost of a surrogacy journey to range from $150,000 to $200,000. This figure includes both fixed and variable expenses, such as:

  • Surrogate Compensation: 35%
  • Agency Fees: 21%
  • Matching: 15%
  • Screening: 12%
  • Medical Procedures: 11%
  • Legal Fees: 6%

IVF typically costs between $15,000 and $40,000 per cycle, depending on medications, medical needs, and other factors. Starting in January 2026, California will require health insurance plans to cover infertility and surrogacy-related expenses, and GSHC will be here to help you navigate these changes and understand what’s covered under your plan.

While the overall cost may feel overwhelming at first, many families manage expenses through a combination of employer fertility benefits, grants, personal savings, and financing options. With expert guidance and careful planning, surrogacy can be a financially manageable and profoundly fulfilling path to parenthood.

How to Find a Surrogate in Fresno

While it's possible to pursue an independent surrogacy journey in California, many intended parents in Fresno choose to work with a surrogacy agency like GSHC to help navigate the complexities of the process with confidence and clarity. Partnering with an experienced agency can greatly reduce the stress, confusion, and uncertainty that often come with going it alone.

When you work with GSHC, you gain a dedicated advocate who will:

  • Guide you through every stage of the process, from initial consultation to post-birth support
  • Carefully screen and match you with a surrogate who aligns with your values, preferences, and family goals
  • Connect you with essential professionals, including fertility clinics, reproductive attorneys, and medical providers
  • Offer ongoing support throughout the pregnancy, especially in the event of medical or emotional challenges

Because the relationship between a surrogate and intended parents can be lifelong, a surrogacy agency can also help nurture and support that bond, whether you wish to maintain ongoing contact or define clear boundaries after the birth. With compassionate, experienced guidance, your surrogacy journey in California can be as smooth and meaningful as possible.

Using an Egg Donor and Surrogate in Fresno, CA

California law permits both gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy, with no statutes prohibiting the use of any donors.

LGBTQ+ Surrogacy in Fresno, CA

California is one of the country’s most surrogate-friendly states, allowing for LGBTQ+ and same-sex individuals and couples to pursue this path to parenthood.

Surrogacy Laws in California

California is a surrogacy-friendly state with clear legal protections for gestational surrogacy under California Family Law Sections 7960–7962. While traditional surrogacy is not explicitly regulated, it is not prohibited, making it a legally permissible path to parenthood as well.

Surrogacy contracts are not only required; they’re legally enforceable. These agreements must be completed before any medical procedures begin, and they must be in writing, outline compensation, and include provisions around topics like termination or selective reduction. Because embryos are not legally recognized as people in California, pre-birth parentage orders are a key step to ensure the intended parents are recognized from the moment the baby is born and listed on the birth certificate.

This legal clarity provides confidence and peace of mind for everyone involved.

Find a Surrogate in Fresno

Fresno 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.

Find a Surrogate!

The GSHC Surrogacy Process in California

GC Step 1. Application & Screening
The process begins when a surrogate candidate submits an application. Each applicant then goes through a comprehensive screening to confirm she meets the physical, emotional, and lifestyle criteria necessary for participation.
IP Step 1. Initial Consultation
Intended parents start with a one-on-one consultation to explore their hopes for family building. This meeting offers space to ask questions, review available options, and outline a plan that reflects their unique circumstances.
GC Step 2. Profile Creation
Once approved, surrogates build a personal profile. This document highlights their background, values, and motivations for becoming a gestational carrier, giving intended parents insight into who they are beyond the basics.
IP Step 2. Seeking a Surrogate
With the help of GSHC, intended parents are introduced to potential surrogates whose profiles align with their preferences. Consideration is given to lifestyle, outlook, and expectations to encourage strong, compatible matches.
Step 3. Making a Match
After reviewing profiles, intended parents can indicate which candidates they’d like to meet. GSHC then arranges introductions, often through meetings or calls, so both sides can connect and decide if the match feels right.
Step 4. Legal Contracts
When everyone agrees to move forward, legal agreements are drafted. These contracts outline responsibilities, rights, and expectations for both the intended parents and the surrogate, with independent attorneys guiding each party through the review process.
Step. 5 Medical Procedures
With contracts in place, the surrogate begins the medical portion of the journey. This includes preparing her body with fertility medications before undergoing an embryo transfer, the procedure that initiates the pregnancy.
Step 6. Prenatal Care
Once pregnancy is achieved, the surrogate receives ongoing monitoring and support from her care team. Intended parents are often invited to attend appointments, and once fertility treatment is complete, the surrogate transitions to her chosen OB/GYN for the remainder of prenatal care and delivery planning.
Step 7. Birth
When the baby’s arrival day comes, intended parents are generally present at the hospital to witness and celebrate the birth. The moment is both emotional and momentous, with the surrogate supported every step of the way.
Step 8. Parental Rights & Post-Delivery Support
After birth, the legal process ensures the intended parents are officially recognized as the child’s guardians. The surrogate receives attentive postpartum care and emotional support while she recovers and reflects on her meaningful role in the journey.
Step 9. An Exciting New Chapter
This stage marks the beginning of parenthood for the intended parents. With their child in their arms, they step into a brand-new chapter of life filled with love, gratitude, and the promise of family.

Surrogacy in California FAQ

  • Yes, courts routinely enforce surrogacy contracts and issue pre‑birth parentage orders, even for same‑sex and unmarried gestational carriers in California.

  • Yes, California is known for its progressive values and inclusive communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples can pursue parenthood through surrogacy.

  • In California, both the surrogate and intended parents must be represented by separate legal counsel when entering a surrogacy agreement.

  • No, intended parents cover all medical expenses related to the surrogacy process, including prenatal care and delivery costs.

  • No, you can pursue surrogacy as a path to parenthood, regardless of marital status.

  • Surrogates receive comprehensive support, including medical care, psychological counseling, legal assistance, and guidance from their surrogacy agency.

Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

Surrogates across California choose GSHC because we offer more than just a process. We build real partnerships based on trust, experience, and heartfelt support. Our legal team makes sure your rights are protected from start to finish. We also offer some of the most competitive surrogate compensation in the state. Your time, energy, and commitment matter, and we make sure you feel valued every step of the way.

With strong relationships at top clinics and hospitals across California, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Hanford, Merced, and surrounding Central Valley communities, we’ll be right by your side with expert guidance, real empathy, and unwavering support.

Instead of navigating this journey alone, let GSHC guide you and manage every detail. Apply now!

Start your surrogacy journey with us.

Apply Now

The site uses cookies, pixels and other similar technologies, as further described in our privacy statement.
By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.