Surrogacy in Illinois
Illinois is one of the most surrogacy-friendly states in the country, which makes it a great place to start your surrogacy journey. You’ll be able to find surrogacy professionals who are ready to help you figure out how to become a surrogate in Illinois.
Contact us today if you’d like to start your surrogacy journey. If you want to find out more about surrogacy in Illinois before talking to a surrogacy professional, this guide and the articles listed below can help.
What is Surrogacy in Illinois?
Surrogacy in Illinois involves a surrogate and intended parents. The surrogate is the person who carries the intended parents’ baby.
During surrogacy in Illinois, the surrogate and the intended parents will stay in contact. It’s common for intended parents to come to some OBGYN appointments and more. Upon delivery, the surrogate will receive her final surrogacy payment, and the surrogacy is complete.
All modern surrogacies between a surrogate and intended parents are gestational surrogacies.
Gestational Surrogacy in Illinois
Gestational surrogacy in Illinois is when a surrogate carries the intended parents’ baby until birth. During the surrogacy medical process, an embryo is created with the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm through IVF. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate. Since this process uses the genetic material of the intended parents and/or a donor, the baby shares no genetic relation to the surrogate.
Why You Should Work With Surrogacy Agencies in Illinois
Surrogacy agencies in Illinois are experts at helping surrogates and intended parents through their surrogacy journey.
In general, a surrogacy agency will provide the following professional services:
- Matching
- Screening
- Case management
- Support
- Counseling
- Legal assistance
- Professional references
- And more
Even if you already know the intended parents you plan to become a surrogate for – also known as identified surrogacy – you can benefit from working with a surrogacy agency.
If you’re looking for a surrogacy agency to work with, you can start with this list:
How to Become a Surrogate in Illinois
If you want to become a surrogate in Illinois, you’ve likely asked yourself questions like, “How do I become a surrogate in Illinois? What’s the surrogacy process in Illinois like?”
People who are interested in becoming a surrogate in Illinois can expect to complete the following steps:
- Decide if surrogacy in Illinois is right for you
- Prepare for surrogacy by considering what type of surrogacy is right for you and the professional you want to work with
- Match with intended parents
- Satisfy all legal requirements and build a surrogacy contract with the help of a surrogacy attorney
- Begin the surrogacy medical process (fertilization and embryo transfer)
- Fulfill your pre-delivery meetings with the intended parents
- Deliver the intended parents’ baby and receive your final surrogacy payment
How Much do Surrogates get Paid in Illinois?
It’s not uncommon to wonder, “How much does surrogacy pay in Illinois?
Surrogates who choose to receive compensation for their surrogacy services make $45,000-50,000 for their first surrogacy. People who have been surrogates before can often get more compensation, up to $75,000.
There are two types of financial surrogacy situations you can pursue:
- Compensated surrogacy in Illinois: Compensated surrogacy, also known as commercial surrogacy, is when a surrogate receives regular payments for her time and energy. The compensation comes in monthly payments once a pregnancy is confirmed. The last payment arrives after a surrogate gives birth.
- Altruistic surrogacy in Illinois: Altruistic surrogacy is when a surrogate waives her right to surrogate compensation. Women who consider this type of surrogacy often do so because they know the intended parents. Although forgoing compensation is kind, surrogacy professionals recommend surrogates receive some amount of compensation to avoid feelings of frustration as the surrogacy progresses.
Whether you choose compensated or altruistic surrogacy, your surrogacy and pregnancy expenses will always be covered by the intended parents.
Cost of Surrogacy for Intended Parents
Surrogates never have to pay for their surrogacy- and pregnancy-related expenses. That’s because all legal and medical expenses are covered by the intended parents.
In general, intended parents should expect to spend anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000. This covers:
- Agency and case management fees
- Surrogate fees
- Medical and legal fees
Next Steps Toward Surrogacy in Illinois
You can contact us today if you are ready to start your surrogacy journey. But, if you want to find out more about surrogacy in Illinois before you call, consider reading the surrogacy articles below.