The Surrogacy Journey in San Jose, California

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Your Guide to Finding or Becoming a Surrogate in San Jose and Throughout Silicon Valley

Deciding to embark on a surrogacy journey in San Jose is a deeply personal and meaningful choice. Whether you're a hopeful parent seeking to build your family or a local woman considering the profound gift of becoming a surrogate, GSHC is here to help guide you every step of the way. We proudly support intended parents and surrogates with a professional approach, compassionate care, industry-leading compensation packages, and a dedicated local team by your side. With years of experience and deep knowledge of California surrogacy law, GSHC is a trusted partner in one of life’s most important journeys.

Let's explore what you need to know about surrogacy in San Jose, including how the process works, what California law requires, and why so many families and surrogates choose GSHC to work with them alongside their journey, from initial consultation to delivery.

Who Becomes a Surrogate?

Every woman who becomes a surrogate has her own deeply personal reasons for making this life-changing decision. Some of the reasons include:

  • The desire to help intended parents build the family they have been working toward
  • To improve their own family’s financial future with surrogacy compensation
  • To experience the joy of pregnancy again for a compassionate cause

To qualify as a surrogate in San Jose, you must be between 21 and 38 years old, have had at least one successful pregnancy and birth, be a U.S. citizen, and have a BMI between 18 and 34.

As a surrogate, you'll form a unique partnership with intended parents, walking alongside them through medical appointments, pregnancy milestones, delivery, and the joy of helping them welcome their child. That’s why having GSHC right here in your backyard makes all the difference. We’re more than just an agency; we’re your local support, your advocates, and your guides every step of the way.

Who Uses a Surrogate?

For many people, surrogacy makes family building possible when it might otherwise feel out of reach. Intended parents come from diverse backgrounds, yet they are united by a common hope: bringing a child into their lives.

Surrogacy often supports:

  • Couples experiencing infertility or health concerns that make carrying a pregnancy unsafe
  • LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who are ready to grow their families through love and intention
  • Single parents by choice who feel prepared to begin their parenting journey independently

If you’re considering surrogacy in San Jose, GSHC will guide you in finding a surrogate who reflects your values and is a strong fit for your family-building goals.

Become a Surrogate in San Jose, CA

GSHC is honored to work with surrogates throughout California, including right here in San Jose, offering guidance and care at every stage of the process. California is recognized for having some of the most supportive and well-defined surrogacy laws in the nation, which make it possible to pursue different forms of legally protected surrogacy, such as:

  • Gestational surrogacy: In this arrangement, the surrogate carries an embryo created from the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm. Because the surrogate does not contribute her own egg, she has no genetic connection to the baby.
  • Traditional surrogacy: Here, the surrogate’s own egg is fertilized with sperm from either the intended father or a donor, which means she is genetically linked to the child. Although still legally recognized in some places, this form of surrogacy is rarely used today because of the significant legal and emotional challenges it creates.
  • Altruistic surrogacy: Often chosen in cases where the surrogate is a friend or relative, this type of surrogacy involves no payment for her time or effort beyond covering approved medical and pregnancy-related expenses.

Once you’ve decided surrogacy is the right path for you, the journey typically unfolds through the following steps:

  1. Initial Screening & Qualifications: Your first step with an agency like GSHC is a straightforward application and screening process to confirm you meet the program’s requirements.
  2. Medical & Psychological Evaluation: NNext, you’ll complete comprehensive health and psychological assessments. These aren’t hurdles, but safeguards to ensure you’re fully prepared and supported before moving forward.
  3. Matching With Intended Parents: Once approved, you’ll be introduced to intended parents whose values and expectations align with your own. You’ll have the opportunity to connect, ask questions, and confirm that the match feels right on both sides.
  4. Legal Contracts & Protections: California has some of the strongest surrogacy laws in the country, reinforced by 2013 legislation that set clear requirements. Each party must have independent legal counsel, and a detailed contract is drafted, signed, and notarized before any medical steps begin. These legal protections establish a clear understanding of rights and responsibilities for everyone involved.
  5. Begin the Medical Surrogacy Process: Once the legal agreements are finalized, you’ll move into the medical phase. This usually starts with fertility medications that prepare your body for embryo transfer. The transfer itself is performed at one of GSHC’s trusted partner clinics in the San Jose area, such as Spring Fertility – Silicon Valley or UCSF Center for Reproductive Health at Mission Bay.

Once there’s a confirmed pregnancy, this is where the true journey begins. From that point on, you’ll receive regular prenatal care, emotional check-ins, and compensation according to your surrogacy agreement with our local monitoring for a smooth experience.

Delivery Hospitals for Surrogates in the San Jose Area

Fertility Clinics for IVF & Surrogacy Monitoring in the San Jose Area

At every step, GSHC offers expert guidance, legal protection, and the compassionate support of a local team deeply familiar with the surrogacy process. We're proud to partner with women in San Jose, CA, making a powerful difference, one family at a time.

Become a VIP Surrogate

Have you been a surrogate before? Unlock VIP status with GSHC!* Help another family while earning up to $100,000 + benefits and $3,000 signing bonus.
Apply today!

Become a VIP Surrogate

Must meet all requirements, including a BMI of under 28, a great family and home environment, financial stability, and previous pregnancies with no complications.

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

Surrogate compensation in San Jose 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 San Jose

Do you live in San Jose 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 San Jose, CA

With its supportive laws, advanced fertility clinics, and welcoming culture, California is one of the best places in the world to pursue surrogacy. San Jose, in particular, reflects the state’s commitment to family in all its forms.

The process of finding a surrogate here is both careful and collaborative, and typically involves:

  • Initial Consultation: Begin with a conversation with our team to explore your goals and outline the surrogacy process.
  • Surrogate Screening: Every candidate completes thorough medical, psychological, and lifestyle evaluations to confirm she’s prepared for the journey.
  • Matching Process: Review detailed profiles and identify a surrogate whose outlook, personality, and expectations align with your own.
  • Introduction Meeting: Connect with your match in person or virtually to establish trust, comfort, and open communication — the foundation of a successful partnership.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in San Jose?

For intended parents in San Jose, the overall cost of a surrogacy journey typically ranges from $100,000 to $200,000. This amount covers a combination of fixed and variable expenses, which may include:

  • Base surrogate compensation
  • Medical care and procedures
  • Travel and transportation
  • Agency services
  • Legal representation and contracts

IVF itself usually averages $12,000–$15,000 per cycle, though costs vary depending on medications and medical needs. Beginning in January 2026, California will require health insurance plans to cover infertility and surrogacy-related expenses. GSHC will guide you through these new regulations to help you understand what your plan includes.

While surrogacy can seem financially daunting, many families find workable solutions through fertility benefits, grants, personal savings, or financing programs. At GSHC, we make cost transparency a priority — providing a clear breakdown of expected expenses and offering ongoing support to help you navigate your family-building journey with confidence.

How to Find a Surrogate in San Jose

Although some intended parents in California pursue surrogacy independently, many in San Jose choose to partner with GSHC to simplify the process and move forward with confidence. Working with an experienced agency helps remove much of the uncertainty, stress, and guesswork that can arise when navigating the journey alone.

With GSHC by your side, you’ll have a trusted partner who will:

  • Walk you through every stage, from your first consultation through post-birth support
  • Conduct thorough surrogate screenings and help you connect with someone who reflects your values and family vision
  • Introduce you to key professionals — from fertility specialists to reproductive attorneys — who are essential to the process
  • Provide ongoing support during the pregnancy, including in moments when extra medical or emotional care may be needed

Because the surrogate–intended parent relationship can extend well beyond delivery, an agency also helps foster a healthy, respectful bond — whether you’d like to remain closely connected or establish clear boundaries. With experienced, compassionate guidance, your surrogacy journey in San Jose can be both smooth and deeply meaningful.

Using an Egg Donor and Surrogate in San Jose, CA

California’s surrogacy laws fully allow for the use of egg donors in gestational surrogacy. Once a valid surrogacy agreement is in place, egg donors do not retain any parental rights to children conceived with their eggs. This legal protection provides clarity for intended parents as they move forward on their path to family building.

LGBTQ+ Surrogacy in San Jose, CA

As one of the most progressive states in the nation, California offers LGBTQ+ and same-sex couples or individuals a clear and legally secure path to parenthood through surrogacy. San Jose families can move forward knowing their rights will be respected and upheld throughout the process.

Surrogacy Laws in California

California has long been considered one of the most supportive states for surrogacy, offering one of the clearest and safest legal frameworks for building families. Under California Family Law Sections 7960–7962, gestational surrogacy is explicitly recognized and protected. Traditional surrogacy is not directly regulated but remains legally permissible within the state.

All surrogacy arrangements must include a formal, written contract before any medical steps begin. These agreements outline compensation, rights, and responsibilities, as well as sensitive issues such as termination or selective reduction. Pre-birth parentage orders — which establish the intended parents as the legal parents from the moment of birth — are also required, ensuring their names appear on the child’s birth certificate.

This strong legal foundation offers clarity, protection, and peace of mind for both intended parents and surrogates, making California one of the most trusted places in the world to pursue surrogacy.

Find a Surrogate in San Jose

San Jose 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
Every surrogate candidate begins with an application and undergoes a thorough screening process to ensure readiness and eligibility for the program.
IP Step 1. Initial Consultation
The surrogacy journey starts with a consultation to discuss your goals, answer questions, and map out the process tailored to your needs.
GC Step 2. Profile Creation
Surrogates create detailed profiles that reflect their values, motivations, and experiences, helping intended parents find the right match.
IP Step 2. Seeking a Surrogate
During the initial matching process, GSHC will assess surrogates’ profiles and compare them with the intended parents’ preferences, values, overall personalities, and expectations to find potential pairings.
Step 3. Making a Match
After the intended parents have reviewed the surrogate profiles, they can decide whether to proceed with particular candidates. GSHC will set up in-person meetings so all parties can get to know one another and determine compatibility.
Step 4. Legal Contracts
Once a match has been made, the intended parents’ attorney will draft a surrogacy contract detailing the requirements and expectations of everyone involved. The surrogate will have the chance to review this document with her own attorney and request any changes or ask any questions she may have.
Step. 5 Medical Procedures
Once all parties are in agreement and the contract is signed, the surrogate can begin medical processes, beginning with hormone treatments that will help prepare the body for pregnancy. Next, embryos will be created and transferred into the surrogate’s uterus via a simple medical procedure.
Step 6. Prenatal Care
Once the surrogate becomes pregnant, she’ll continue to be supported at every step by expert medical professionals and the caring team at GSHC. The intended parents typically accompany the surrogate to doctor’s appointments as well. Once the surrogate is done with fertility treatments, she can transition from the fertility specialist to her own OB/GYN. She’ll also be able to choose the hospital in which she’ll give birth.
Step 7. Birth
As the surrogate goes into labor, the intended parents are typically present at the hospital, ready to offer support and share in the excitement of their baby’s arrival. Legal documents are finalized to ensure the intended parents' parental rights are formally established after the birth.
Step 8. Parental Rights & Post-Delivery Support
Following the delivery, the surrogate may have a brief moment to hold the baby before the intended parents take their child home, as outlined in the surrogacy agreement. The surrogate will then receive essential postpartum medical care and support, allowing her to rest, recover, and reflect on her incredible journey.
Step 9. An Exciting New Chapter
This final step represents a transformative moment for the intended parents as they embrace their new role and begin life with their much-anticipated baby.

Surrogacy in California FAQ

  • Yes. California courts regularly issue pre-birth parentage orders, which establish the intended parents’ legal rights before the child is born. These orders apply to married and unmarried couples alike, as well as to same-sex parents, providing strong legal certainty for families from the start.

  • Absolutely. California has been a leader in ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals and couples have equal access to surrogacy. Same-sex intended parents enjoy the same legal protections as heterosexual couples, making the state one of the most inclusive places in the world for family building.

  • In California, that situation cannot occur — state law requires both the surrogate and the intended parents to have their own independent legal representation. This ensures that each party understands the terms of the contract and that everyone’s rights and responsibilities are fully protected before any medical procedures begin.

  • No. All medical costs tied to the surrogacy — including fertility treatments, prenatal visits, delivery, and postpartum care — are the responsibility of the intended parents. Surrogates should never face out-of-pocket costs for care directly related to their pregnancy.

  • No. California law does not impose a marriage requirement for either surrogates or intended parents. Single intended parents, unmarried couples, and LGBTQ+ families all have equal access to surrogacy as a family-building option.

  • Surrogates are surrounded by a wide network of support throughout their journey. This includes ongoing medical monitoring, access to counseling or emotional support services, independent legal representation, and the consistent guidance of their surrogacy agency. At GSHC, surrogates also receive personal attention and advocacy from our team, ensuring they never feel alone at any stage of the process.

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Why GSHC: About Our Surrogacy Agency

Surrogates in San Jose choose GSHC because we offer more than just a process. We build real partnerships based on trust, experience, and genuine support. We understand that this journey is personal, and we're here to support you with experienced guidance you can actually trust. Our legal team ensures your rights are protected from beginning to end, and we 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 leading clinics and hospitals throughout San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and surrounding Silicon Valley communities, GSHC stands by your side with expert guidance, 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.

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