Intended Parents

Surrogacy Agencies for Single Parents: A Supported Path to Solo Parenthood

You’ve made one of the most important decisions of your life: you want to become a parent. You’ve considered your options, weighed the possibilities, and realized that surrogacy might be your path to the family you’ve always dreamed of. But now you’re wondering: can a single person do surrogacy?

Here’s what you need to know right now: absolutely, yes. Single-parent surrogacy is not only possible—it’s increasingly common, and many agencies specialize in supporting solo parents through this journey.

The bottom line: Your marital status doesn’t determine your right to become a parent. With the right agency and support system, single surrogacy can be your path to the family you’ve always wanted.

Get help now to start your family.

Single Parent Resources:

Can Single People Become Parents Through Surrogacy?

Let’s address this question directly: Is surrogacy allowed for single parents in the US? Not only is it allowed—it’s a well-established path to parenthood that thousands of single people have successfully navigated.

How Single-Parent Surrogacy Works

The process for single intended parents is essentially the same as for couples, with some unique considerations:

For Single Women:

Egg usage: You can use your own eggs with donor sperm
Egg donation: Option to use donor eggs if needed
Medical reasons: Often pursued due to medical inability to carry pregnancy

For Single Men:

Sperm usage: You’ll usually use your own sperm with donor eggs
Egg donation: Coordinated through agencies or fertility clinics
Surrogacy necessity: Required since men cannot carry pregnancies
Legal establishment: Clear legal processes for establishing paternity

The Legal Reality

Single-parent surrogacy is legal in most U.S. states, and many states have specific legal protections for single intended parents.

What the law says:

No federal restrictions: There are no federal laws preventing single people from pursuing surrogacy
State-by-state variations: Most surrogacy-friendly states welcome single intended parents
Legal precedent: Courts regularly establish parentage for single intended parents
Equal protection: Single parents have the same legal rights as married couples in most jurisdictions

Requirements for Single Intended Parents

What are the requirements for single intended parents? The criteria are generally similar to those for couples:

Financial Requirements:

Stable income: Ability to cover surrogacy costs and child-rearing expenses
Financial verification: Documentation of income and assets
Insurance considerations: Health insurance and life insurance planning
Childcare planning: Consideration of support systems for single parenting

Legal Requirements:

Age minimums: Usually 21+ years old, though some agencies prefer 25+
Background checks: Criminal background and reference verification
Legal representation: Independent legal counsel for contract negotiation
Psychological evaluation: Assessment of emotional readiness for parenthood

Medical Requirements:

Health screening: Basic health evaluation to ensure parenting readiness
Genetic testing: Screening for inheritable conditions
Reproductive health: Assessment of gamete quality and fertility status
Medical history: Review of personal and family medical backgrounds

Resources:

What to Look for in a Surrogacy Agency as a Single Intended Parent

Choosing the right agency is crucial for single intended parents because you need an organization that truly understands and supports solo parenting, not just one that “accepts” single clients.

Agencies That Specialize in Single-Parent Support

How to choose a surrogacy agency as a solo parent requires understanding which agencies have genuine experience and specialized services for single intended parents.

Key indicators of single-parent expertise:

Experience with Single Clients:

Specific numbers: Agencies should provide data on how many single parents they’ve served
Success stories: Testimonials and case studies from other single parents
Specialized staff: Team members trained in single-parent considerations
Ongoing relationships: Connections with single parents who can provide references

Evaluation Criteria Specific to Single Parents

What makes an agency truly supportive of single intended parents:

Inclusive Policies and Practices:

Non-discriminatory policies: Clear statements supporting single parents
Inclusive language: Marketing and communications that reflect family diversity
Equal treatment: Same services and support regardless of marital status
Advocacy: Willingness to advocate for single parents’ rights and needs

Specialized Support Services:

Single-parent counseling: Therapists experienced with solo parenting considerations
Financial guidance: Understanding of single-income financial planning
Legal expertise: Attorneys experienced with single-parent legal issues
Practical support: Resources for single parents throughout the process

Surrogate Matching for Single Parents:

Surrogate screening: Assessment of surrogates’ comfort with single parents
Matching preferences: Ability to match based on single-parent considerations
Relationship support: Guidance for building healthy surrogate relationships as a single parent
Communication facilitation: Help managing three-way communication dynamics

Questions to Ask Potential Agencies

Essential questions for evaluating agencies as a single intended parent:

About Experience:

“How many single intended parents have you worked with in the past two years?”
“Can you provide references from other single parents?”
“What specific challenges do single intended parents face, and how do you address them?”
“Do you have staff members who specialize in single-parent cases?”

About Services:

“What counseling services do you provide specifically for single parents?”
“How do you help single parents build support networks?”
“What resources do you offer for single-parent preparation?”
“How do you support single parents through the emotional aspects of surrogacy?”

About Surrogate Matching:

“How do you screen surrogates for comfort with single intended parents?”
“What percentage of your surrogates have worked with single parents before?”
“How do you handle it if a surrogate expresses preference for married couples?”
“What support do you provide for managing the surrogate relationship as a single parent?”

Red Flags to Avoid

Warning signs that an agency may not be the right fit for single parents:

Discriminatory Practices:

Agencies that seem surprised by single-parent inquiries
Requirements that are different or more stringent for single parents
Language that suggests preference for married couples
Inability to provide single-parent references or success stories

Lack of Specialized Support:

No specific services or resources for single parents
Counselors without single-parent experience
Generic support that doesn’t address single-parent considerations
Inability to answer single-parent specific questions

Limited Experience:

Few or no previous single-parent clients
Staff unfamiliar with single-parent considerations
No established relationships with single-parent-friendly professionals
Inability to provide detailed single-parent success data

Resources for Choosing an Agency:

Costs and Financing Options for Single-Parent Surrogacy

One of the biggest concerns for single intended parents is the financial aspect of surrogacy. Managing these costs on a single income requires careful planning, but numerous resources and strategies can make surrogacy financially accessible.

Understanding the Financial Investment

Single-parent surrogacy costs are the same as for married couples, but financial planning strategies differ for single-income households:

Typical surrogacy costs:

Agency fees: $25,000 – $40,000 for comprehensive services
Surrogate compensation: $40,000 – $60,000+ depending on location and experience
Medical expenses: $35,000 – $50,000 for IVF, monitoring, and delivery
Legal fees: $10,000 – $15,000 for contracts and legal representation
Gamete costs: $25,000 – $40,000 for egg donation (single men) or $3,000 – $5,000 for sperm donation (single women)
Insurance and miscellaneous: $15,000 – $25,000 for additional coverage and expenses

Total investment: $150,000 – $200,000+ for single intended parents

Single-Income Financial Strategies

Approaches for managing surrogacy costs as a single parent:

Advanced Planning:

Early saving: Starting financial planning years before beginning surrogacy
Investment strategies: Growing savings through appropriate investments
Expense reduction: Cutting unnecessary expenses to redirect funds toward surrogacy
Income optimization: Maximizing earning potential through career development

Comprehensive Budgeting:

Detailed cost analysis: Understanding all potential expenses upfront
Contingency planning: Budgeting for unexpected costs or complications
Timeline coordination: Aligning financial readiness with emotional readiness
Post-birth planning: Budgeting for single-parent expenses after baby arrives

Financing Options for Single Parents

Multiple financing strategies can help single parents afford surrogacy:

Traditional Financing:

Medical loans: Specialized fertility financing with competitive rates
Personal loans: Unsecured loans for fertility treatments
Home equity loans: Using home equity for lower-interest financing
Credit options: Carefully managed credit solutions for qualified borrowers

Alternative Financing:

Family assistance: Financial support from parents, siblings, or extended family
Community support: Crowdfunding and community fundraising efforts
Employer benefits: Increasing number of companies offering fertility benefits
Professional loans: Some employers offer employee assistance programs

Grants and Financial Assistance

Numerous organizations provide financial assistance specifically for single parents:

General Fertility Grants:

Resolve.org grants: National fertility assistance programs
Local foundation grants: Community-based financial support
Religious organization grants: Faith-based assistance for family building
Corporate sponsorships: Some companies sponsor fertility assistance programs

Single-Parent Specific Assistance:

Single Mothers by Choice grants: Organization-specific financial support
Professional association grants: Industry-specific assistance programs
Community foundation grants: Local support for single parents
Crowdfunding platforms: GoFundMe and similar platforms for family building

Grant Application Strategies:

Early application: Starting grant applications well before beginning surrogacy
Multiple applications: Applying to numerous programs to maximize assistance
Professional assistance: Working with grant writers or fertility financial advisors
Documentation preparation: Organizing financial and medical documentation for applications

Employer Benefits and Support

More employers are recognizing single-parent family building needs:

Expanding Employer Benefits:

Fertility coverage: Insurance plans that include surrogacy expenses
Surrogacy benefits: Direct employer assistance with surrogacy costs
Parental leave: Extended leave policies for new single parents
Flexible work arrangements: Support for managing surrogacy appointments and new parenthood

Advocacy Strategies:

Benefit discussions: Talking with HR about expanding fertility benefits
Employee resource groups: Connecting with other employees interested in family building
Benefit utilization: Maximizing existing benefits for family building expenses
Professional development: Advancing career to access better benefits

Financial Planning Best Practices

Strategies for successful financial management as a single intended parent:

Professional Guidance:

Financial advisors: Working with professionals experienced in fertility financing
Tax planning: Understanding tax implications of surrogacy expenses
Insurance optimization: Maximizing insurance coverage for surrogacy expenses
Legal financial review: Ensuring financial aspects are properly protected in contracts

Risk Management:

Emergency funds: Maintaining separate emergency funds for unexpected costs
Insurance coverage: Comprehensive coverage for potential complications
Contract protections: Financial safeguards in surrogacy agreements
Alternative planning: Financial preparation for potential need for multiple cycles

Cost-Saving Strategies

Ways to reduce surrogacy costs without compromising quality:

Smart Spending:

Agency comparison: Thoroughly comparing agency fees and services
Geographic considerations: Considering surrogacy in lower-cost areas
Timing optimization: Planning for optimal financial timing
Service bundling: Choosing comprehensive packages that provide better value

Creative Solutions:

Shared risk programs: Some agencies offer refund programs for multiple attempts
Payment plans: Structured payment schedules that work with your budget
Expense optimization: Carefully managing controllable expenses
Professional discounts: Some professionals offer discounts for single parents

Financial Resources:

How Agencies Match Surrogates with Single Parents

The surrogate matching process for single intended parents involves unique considerations that experienced agencies understand and address to create positive, successful relationships.

Understanding the Matching Dynamics

Matching surrogates with single parents requires consideration of factors that don’t apply to married couples:

Unique Matching Considerations:

Surrogate comfort levels: Some surrogates prefer working with couples, while others are specifically interested in helping single parents
Communication dynamics: Managing three-way relationships (single parent, surrogate, and agency) requires different skills
Support system assessment: Evaluating the single parent’s support network for surrogate comfort
Relationship expectations: Clarifying boundaries and expectations for single-parent arrangements

What surrogates consider when matching with single parents:

Personal connection: Feeling comfortable with the intended parent’s personality and values
Support systems: Confidence in the intended parent’s readiness for single parenthood
Communication style: Compatibility in communication preferences and frequency
Shared values: Alignment on important decisions and relationship dynamics

Surrogate Screening for Single-Parent Comfort

Agencies that excel at single-parent matching have specific screening processes:

Screening Questions for Surrogates:

“Are you comfortable working with single intended parents?”
“Have you previously worked with single parents, and how was that experience?”
“What concerns, if any, do you have about single-parent arrangements?”
“What support do you think single parents need during surrogacy?”

Assessment Areas:

Bias recognition: Identifying any unconscious biases about single parenthood
Flexibility expectations: Understanding different family structures and dynamics
Support appreciation: Recognizing the strength required for single parenthood
Communication skills: Ability to maintain healthy relationships with single parents

Creating Positive Matches

Successful single-parent matches share common characteristics:

Compatibility Factors:

Shared values: Agreement on important aspects of pregnancy and parenting
Communication alignment: Similar preferences for contact frequency and style
Mutual respect: Recognition of each other’s choices and circumstances
Support appreciation: Surrogate understanding and support for single parenthood choice

Relationship Building:

Initial meetings: Structured introductions that allow for natural connection
Ongoing communication: Regular check-ins to maintain healthy relationships
Boundary respect: Clear understanding of each person’s role and expectations
Conflict resolution: Professional support for addressing any relationship challenges

Addressing Common Concerns

Both single parents and surrogates may have concerns that agencies help address:

Single Parent Concerns:

“Will surrogates want to work with me?” Many surrogates specifically prefer helping single parents
“Will I be able to build a good relationship?” Single parents often develop strong, meaningful relationships with surrogates
“What if the surrogate judges my single status?” Professional agencies screen for surrogates who celebrate family diversity
“How do I manage the relationship alone?” Agencies provide support and guidance throughout the relationship

Surrogate Concerns:

“Will the single parent have enough support?” Agencies assess support systems as part of the matching process
“What if they become too dependent on me?” Clear boundaries and professional support help maintain healthy relationships
“Will they be prepared for parenthood?” Single parents go through the same preparation and evaluation as couples
“How will communication work with just one person?” Many surrogates find communication easier with single parents

Matching Resources for Single Parents:

Stories from Single Parents Who Built Families Through Surrogacy

Sometimes the best way to understand what’s possible is to hear from single parents who’ve successfully navigated the surrogacy journey. These real stories show the joy, challenges, and ultimate success of single-parent surrogacy.

Success Story Resources:

Ready to Start Your Journey as a Single Parent?

You’ve learned that single-parent surrogacy is not only possible but successful for thousands of families. You understand what to look for in agencies, how financing works, and what the matching process involves. Now it’s time to take the next step toward building your family.

You can get customized support designed specifically for your single-parent journey:

Initial Consultation:

Comprehensive assessment: Understanding your specific situation, goals, and concerns
Personalized guidance: Tailored advice based on your unique circumstances
Support system evaluation: Assessment of your readiness and support network
Clear pathway: Detailed explanation of your journey ahead

Ongoing Support:

Surrogacy starts with a simple conversation. Let us show you how we can support your unique path to building the family you’ve always wanted.

Contact our partners for single-parent support today.

What happens when you reach out:

Free 30-minute consultation with our single-parent specialists
Personalized assessment of your situation and goals
Clear explanation of our single-parent support services
Connection with other single parents who can share their experiences
Honest discussion of timeline, costs, and what to expect

You don’t have to build your family alone—even as a single parent, you deserve comprehensive support and advocacy throughout your surrogacy journey.