Intended Parents

Why Are Surrogacy Wait Times So Long?

For intended parents, the journey to surrogacy often follows years of waiting and longing to build their family.

Shorter wait times bring you closer to achieving your dream of parenthood.

In this article, we’ll explore the average surrogacy wait time, why it can take so long to find a surrogate, and how agencies differ in their ability to reduce those wait times.

Contact us and get matched in as little as 1 - 6 months.

Why Does It Take So Long to Find a Surrogate? [Surrogacy Wait Times]

Surrogacy wait times can vary significantly, with agencies reporting wait times as short as one to six months to as long as two years.

While some agencies can offer matches quickly, others may have long waiting lists due to various factors like limited surrogacy pools, inadequate compensation, and inefficient processes.

Several factors contribute to the length of surrogacy wait times. Here are the most common reasons:

Agencies with less extensive marketing or outreach efforts struggle to attract a large number of qualified surrogates. This leaves families with fewer options and lengthens the waiting period.

Agencies that don’t screen surrogates in advance or thoroughly before accepting them into their program may encounter delays in the matching process, as each potential surrogate will need time-consuming evaluations.

If an agency doesn\'t offer competitive compensation to surrogates, it may be difficult to attract qualified and experienced candidates, thus increasing wait times. Surrogates are less likely to want to commit to an agency they don’t feel values and supports them.

Some agencies, especially those with high demand, have waiting lists for intended parents. Even when a surrogate is available, intended parents may need to wait until they are prioritized or until a match is found, making the process even longer.

Comparing Surrogacy Wait Times Across Agencies

American Adoptions

Average Wait Time: 1 - 6 months

American Adoptions prides itself on short wait times thanks to robust marketing efforts, prescreening and a balanced client list. This ensures that hopeful parents get matched with qualified surrogates faster than with other agencies.

Circle Surrogacy

Average Wait Time: 12-18+ months

Known for its established reputation, Circle Surrogacy generally has longer wait times due to higher ratio of intended parents to surrogate and their selective matching process.

Growing Generations

Average Wait Time: 9-12 months

Growing Generations has wait times that can stretch from several months to a year. While they have a more structured process, the number of available surrogates limits how quickly they can fulfill matches.

How Do Agencies Impact Surrogacy Wait Times?

The choice of surrogacy agency plays a significant role in how quickly you can get matched with a surrogate. Several factors influence surrogacy wait times, and a well-run agency can greatly reduce delays.

Here’s how agencies like American Surrogacy shorten their wait times:

Marketing and Outreach

A key factor that can contribute to shorter surrogacy wait times is an agency’s marketing strategy.

Agencies without a strong marketing campaign may struggle to connect with qualified surrogates, resulting in limited options and longer wait times for intended parents.

Agencies that reach more surrogates can match intended parents more quickly, as a larger candidate pool offers variety and flexibility.

Additionally, focusing on specific communities, such as experienced surrogates, helps attract candidates with a proven track record of success who are eager to help another family.

Screening Process

Efficient pre-screening significantly streamlines the surrogacy matching process by evaluating both medical and emotional readiness before a surrogate is accepted into their program.

Agencies that fail to screen surrogates properly may encounter delays when unexpected issues arise down the road.

A thorough the screening process leads to better surrogate matches, which reduces complications, improves retention, and shortens wait times for intended parents.

A Balanced Client List

With 1:1 client-to-surrogate ratio, you won’t be left waiting behind a long line of other clients who may already be matched.

Surrogacy agencies that used balanced matching limit the number of clients per surrogate that they take on, which allows your surrogacy specialist to focus on matching you to a quality match that aligns with your circumstances and preference. This allows surrogacy agencies to offer a more personalized experience and reduce delays in the matching process.

Tips to Minimize Surrogacy Wait Times

While waiting for a surrogate to be matched with you can be nerve-wracking, there are several steps you can take to minimize your wait time.

Here are some strategies for shortening the process:

Work with an agency that provides pre-screening
Choosing an agency that screens surrogates thoroughly before they enter the matching pool will help speed up the process. You won’t have to wait as long to go through evaluations once a match is found.
Consider a balanced client list
Agencies that offer a balanced client list (i.e., ensuring intended parents are not waiting behind others who are ahead in the queue) can match you more quickly, as your chances are higher when you’re the next in line.
Be open to working with out-of-state surrogates
Some states have a larger pool of qualified surrogates than others. If you\'re willing to work with surrogates in different states, you can reduce your wait time by expanding the pool of potential matches.
Have your embryos ready
One of the quickest ways to speed up the process once a surrogate is found is to have your embryos ready. Surrogates can be matched faster if they are ready for the embryo transfer, avoiding additional delays that come from waiting for embryos to be created.

Surrogacy Timeline: What to Expect from Start to Finish

The surrogacy timeline can vary based on agency procedures, legal requirements, and the readiness of all parties involved. Here’s an overview of the typical timeline:

Steps of the surrogacy process:

Initial consultation and screening: This step typically takes 1-2 months and involves medical, psychological, and legal evaluations for both intended parents and surrogates.
Matching with a Surrogate: The process of surrogacy matching can take anywhere from 1-24 months, depending on the agency’s resources and the availability of suitable surrogates.
Legal and medical preparations: After a match is made, it generally takes another 1-2 months to complete the legal paperwork, medical screenings, and prepare for embryo transfer.
Pregnancy and birth: After the embryo transfer, the pregnancy typically lasts 9 months, and the birth process follows with post-birth legal steps.

You’ve waited long enough—now it’s time to move forward. We can match you with a qualified surrogate quickly. Contact us today to take the next step toward building your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What disqualifies you from surrogacy?

Several factors may disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate, including:

Health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
Previous pregnancy complications or multiple C-sections.
Psychological issues or emotional instability.
A history of substance abuse or smoking.

What is the average timeline for surrogacy?

On average, the surrogacy process takes about 12-18 months. This includes finding a surrogate, completing legal and medical screenings, and the pregnancy itself.

How long do you have to wait to do surrogacy again?

After completing a surrogacy, the surrogate typically needs a recovery period of 6-12 months before being eligible for another surrogacy journey. This recovery period ensures the surrogate’s health and emotional readiness.