Embryo Adoption Agencies

Embryo adoption agencies can help you grow your family by connecting you with embryos for IVF or surrogacy.

With the support of a reputable agency, you can navigate the medical and legal aspects of the process, ensuring a smooth and fulfilling journey.

In this article you can learn what embryo adoption agencies do, how to find the best embryo services, and what to look for in an embryo adoption agency.

When you have embryos, you can get connected to a surrogate in as little as 1 - 6 months. Get personalized support from a surrogacy specialist when you fill out this simple form.

What are Embryo Adoption Agencies?

Embryo adoption and embryo donation are essentially two different names for the same thing. If you are looking for an embryo adoption agency, you can find similar services by searching for: embryo adoption banks, embryo donation banks, fertility clinics (which may connect you to embryo adoption banks) and sperm and egg banks (which may also bank embryos).

Embryo Adoption Agencies vs. Embryo Donation Agencies vs. Fertility Clinics

The main difference between embryo adoption agencies and embryo donation agencies is that the agencies that call themselves “adoption” agencies typically treat the process of getting embryos as an adoption even though legally, it is not an adoption. This means they will typically use adoption language in their paperwork and materials, and may require steps like a home study.

Fertility clinics are traditionally responsible for the medical steps associated with getting pregnant through assisted reproduction (IVF, surrogacy, etc.). But some fertility clinics take an “all-in-one” approach for efficiency and also have embryo adoption/donation built into their fertility clinic, while other fertility clinics will connect you with an outside embryo adoption or donation agency.

Embryo Adoption Services

Embryo adoption agencies can provide a variety of services like:

• Embryo Matching – Connecting adoptive parents with available embryos based on preferences and compatibility.
• Legal Support – Providing legal guidance and ensuring proper contracts are in place for embryo donation and adoption.
• Medical Coordination – Facilitating the medical process, including hormone treatments, embryo transfer, and pregnancy monitoring.
• Counseling and Emotional Support – Offering counseling services for both adoptive parents and donors, addressing emotional aspects of the process.
• Donor Screening – Conducting medical and genetic screenings for embryo donors, ensuring the embryos meet health criteria.
• Post-Adoption Support – Providing ongoing support to adoptive families, including help with birth certificates, legal finalization, and emotional adjustment.
• Education and Resources – Offering information and guidance on the embryo adoption process, including IVF and potential challenges.
• Open or Closed Adoption Options – Assisting in navigating open or closed embryo adoption, including communication with genetic donors, if desired.

Embryo Adoption Agencies

Here are some embryo adoption agencies and a little bit of information about each one (we are not affiliated with any of these agencies).

1. Snowflakes Embryo Adoption (Nightlight Christian Adoptions)

• Location: Nationwide (headquartered in Fullerton, CA)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Yes, Snowflakes does accept LGBTQ+ parents.
• Religious Affiliation: Christian-based (Evangelical)
• Embryo Adoptions Completed: Over 700 embryo adoptions since inception.

Snowflakes Embryo Adoption

2. Embryos Alive

• Location: Nationwide (based in Kansas City, MO)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Information on LGBTQ+ policies is not directly available on the site. It is recommended to inquire directly for more details.
• Religious Affiliation: Christian-based

Embryos Alive

3. Lutheran Family Service

• Location: Primarily in Iowa and surrounding regions, though they offer nationwide services.
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Not listed. Contact the agency for more information.
• Religious Affiliation: Christian-based (Lutheran)

Lutheran Family Service

4. Embryo Adoption Services of America

• Location: Nationwide (headquartered in Fort Worth, TX)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Information on LGBTQ+ acceptance is not explicitly listed. It’s best to contact the agency directly for details.
• Religious Affiliation: Christian-based

Embryo Adoption USA

5. PURL Adoptions

• Location: Nationwide (headquartered in Texas)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Information on LGBTQ+ parents is not clearly stated on the website. It’s advisable to contact them directly to inquire.
• Religious Affiliation: Christian-based

PURL Adoptions

6. Embryo Donation and Adoption

• Location: Nationwide (headquartered in Houston, TX)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Information not explicitly stated; it’s recommended to contact directly for clarification.
• Religious Affiliation: No religious affiliation mentioned.

Embryo Donation

Embryo Donation Agencies

Embryo donation agencies will generally offer the same or similar services to embryo adoption agencies, but may take a slightly different approach—these agencies are less likely to use adoption-related language around the transfer of embryos, and may be less likely to require home studies for parents who receive embryos. (Again, we are not affiliated with any of these agencies.)

1. Embryo Connections

• Location: Nationwide (headquartered in Richmond, VA)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Information not clearly provided; it’s best to inquire directly for clarification.
• Religious Affiliation: No religious affiliation mentioned.

Embryo Connections

2. Shady Grove Fertility

• Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. (Headquartered in Rockville, MD)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Yes, Shady Grove Fertility is LGBTQ+ friendly and supports same-sex couples and single parents.
• Religious Affiliation: No religious affiliation mentioned.
• Other Information: This is an embryo donation program through a fertility clinic.

Shady Grove Fertility

3. Donor Nexus

• Location: Nationwide (headquartered in Los Angeles, CA)
• LGBTQ+ Acceptance: Yes, Donor Nexus supports LGBTQ+ families and provides egg and embryo donation services to same-sex couples and single parents.
• Religious Affiliation: No religious affiliation mentioned.

Donor Nexus

What to Look for in Embryo Adoption Agencies

• Experience: Having previous successes and a long history means you may find an agency that is more reliable
• Legal expertise: Since embryo adoption requires legal steps for success, having the right legal help is vital.
• Ethical practices: Finding an ethical agency is important, and some families prefer agencies that share their views on embryos and embryo handling.
• Costs: Comparing costs and the services you receive can help you avoid unnecessary expenses while still receiving great support.
• Ongoing support: Some families may choose to adopt multiple embryos from the same family, so if this is a consideration for you, you may look for agencies that can help support you on your journey.

How to Choose a Great Embryo Adoption Agency

Choosing a great embryo adoption agency may take a little bit of looking, but it is worth it to have a great experience. Here are some tips to get started on finding at great embryo adoption agency:

Ask Questions

You can start off by asking some of these questions to help you understand the embryo adoption agency better:

• How long have you been facilitating embryo adoptions, and what is your success rate?
• How do you ensure embryo donors are fully informed, and how do you match embryos ethically with adoptive families?
• What legal documents are required, and how do you ensure proper transfer of parental rights?
• How do you select fertility clinics and manage the medical process for embryo transfer, including preparation and support for the intended parents?
• What is the total cost of the process, and do you offer any financial assistance or payment plans?
• How do you select embryo donors, and are the donors’ medical and genetic histories shared with intended families?
• What type of emotional and post-adoption support do you provide to intended families during and after the process?

Read Reviews

You can read reviews for embryo adoption agencies or ask your fertility clinic or peers if they have recommendations of any embryo donation centers.

Compare Agencies

When you find an agency you like, it can help to look around at similar agencies to compare things like services, screening, and availability of embryos.

How to Start Surrogacy with Donated Embryos

If you want to use donated embryos for surrogacy, you can contact a surrogacy professional who can help you connect to embryo donation agencies and fertility clinics, or seek out a fertility clinic yourself.

When you have embryos ready, you can find a surrogate in 1 - 6 months when you work with a great agency. Contact an agency here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there such a thing as open embryo adoption?

Yes, in some cases you can complete an embryo adoption and if a child is born through your embryos, you can stay in contact with the family that donated embryos.

What are the steps for embryo adoption?

In embryo adoption, you can find a fertility clinic or embryo adoption agency, complete screening, complete legal processes, and transfer the embryo to the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

How to receive a donated embryo?

You can get a donated embryo if you know someone who wants to donate an embryo, or if you connect with fertility clinics or embryo donation banks.

Is embryo adoption approved by the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church does not have an official stance on embryo adoption, but multiple theologians have discussed handling embryos.