Surrogacy in New Jersey

As a top surrogacy agency in Philadelphia, we frequently get the pleasure of serving enthusiastic surrogate candidates and intended parents who live in New Jersey.

The surrogacy process in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is fully supported by the law. In fact, New Jersey surrogacy laws are quite similar to the laws in neighboring Pennsylvania.

The purpose of this page is to inform prospective intended parents about the surrogacy process in New Jersey and how we in Philadelphia can serve as a surrogate agency for your community.

Very seldom do any of us get a chance to change another person’s life in a meaningful way. That’s why a woman choosing to serve as a gestational carrier (surrogate) is considered such a grand and giving gesture.

When women choose to become a surrogate, they do get the chance to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of Intended Parents.

WHAT IS SURROGACY?

TWO KINDS OF SURROGACY

There are two kinds of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. With traditional surrogacy, the surrogate’s eggs are used, making the surrogate genetically connected to the offspring. With a gestational carrier, the egg and sperm are provided by the intended parents (either their own or through donors). The resulting embryo is implanted in the surrogate’s womb via an in vitro fertilization process. The Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia only facilitates gestational surrogacy journeys.

SURROGACY PROCESS

New Jersey residents are permitted to use surrogacy agencies in neighboring states like Pennsylvania – whether you are a Surrogate or an Intended Parent. The surrogacy agency serves as a third party that is contracted to match Intended Parents with a person who is able and willing to serve as a gestational carrier. The Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia matches Intended Parents from New Jersey with a surrogate either in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. We work with attorneys who are admitted into bar in both Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. We also coordinate transfer cycles with all fertility clinics in the area. Parental rights are granted by the county and state in which your surrogate delivers.

SURROGACY COSTS

Surrogacy costs can vary from state to state and agency to agency. Intended Parents pay all the costs associated with a surrogacy journey, both the surrogacy agency fee and the surrogate compensation.

The surrogate’s compensation typically includes a base fee, plus the following list of additional fees and reimbursements:

Monthly minimum allowance
Embryo transfer compensation
Medical and life insurance coverage during the pregnancy
Clothing allowance
Invasive procedure compensation
Lost wages from attending appointments
Cesarean section compensation
Breastmilk storage compensation
Childcare and housekeeping reimbursement

Agency fees for the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia do not vary between states. Intended Parents pay a total agency fee of $21,000, but only if they successfully complete their surrogacy journey. Intended Parents may incur additional fees if their surrogate resides more than an hour from their fertility clinic. If so, outside monitoring during the embryo transfer cycle can take place at another fertility clinic closer to the surrogate. Additionally, a surrogate may be compensated for miles traveled.

SURROGATE REQUIREMENTS

Before a woman can become a surrogate, she must meet requirements that are set forth by the agency and fertility clinic.

Given the importance of surrogacy to both the surrogate and the intended parents, the surrogacy requirements are quite strict. Here is a list of the key surrogate requirements for the Surrogacy Center of Philadelphia. We abide by standards set by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Must be between the ages of 21 and 40
Must have successfully delivered at least one healthy baby with no history of pregnancy or delivery complications
Must be in good physical health, including a BMI of between 20-32
Must be mentally/emotionally stable with no history of serious mental illness
Must be financially stable
Last child delivery must have been at least 6 months prior, preference given to surrogates who are currently raising a child
No history of illicit drug use or criminal activity
Must have a stable home environment
Must be willing to comply with several medical directives

Initially, surrogate mothers are required to follow medical directives provided by the fertility clinic’s medical personnel. After a successful embryo transfer cycle, surrogates care is transferred to their regular obstetrician.

PREPARING FOR SURROGACY

The process of surrogacy requires a significant investment from both the intended parents and the surrogate. For the intended parents, there will be a significant financial investment. However, they will also be investing their emotional welfare in the promise of getting a healthy baby to love and raise.

For the surrogate, the investment is physical and emotional. During the pregnancy, their body will go through changes and stress. From an emotional standpoint, they will have to be strong to cope with the stressors that come with the surrogacy process and the responsibility of carrying another person’s baby. One can never underestimate the fortitude a woman needs to do that.

Surrogates can be proud of being the kind of person that would help others so they can experience the joys of raising a child. The intended parents get the gift of parenthood, something they might not have otherwise experienced had it not been for surrogacy.

CHOOSE THE BEST SURROGACY AGENCY FOR YOUR NEEDS

If you reside in New Jersey and are interested the support of a surrogacy agency, please contact us! We would be happy to work with you whether you’re an Intended Parent or a Surrogate.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IF I LIVE IN NEW JERSEY, BUT WANT TO WORK WITH A SURROGATE IN PENNSYLVANIA, IS IT LEGAL?

Yes. New Jersey residents are permitted to enter into a surrogacy agreement with a gestational carrier who resides in Pennsylvania.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROCESS TO BE?

Our agency fee is $21,000, which can be paid in three installments. The average total cost for a surrogacy journey, including clinical payments and surrogate compensation is approximately $90,000.

I’M INTERESTED IN BEING A SURROGATE. WHY THE AGE LIMITS?

Safety and success is our main priority. There are additional risks to both surrogate and baby associated with advanced maternal age.

IF THE INTENDED PARENTS LIVE IN NEW JERSEY, WILL I AS A SURROGATE HAVE TO TRAVEL TO NEW JERSEY?

Not necessarily. We work with clinics all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We would set you up with a reputable clinic close to your home. As far as dealing with the intended parents, it would be understood that they would have responsibility for any traveling that needs to be done for delivery.