Here are our top considerations when considering a surrogacy agency for your journey.

At SurrogateFirst, we know first-hand how challenging it can be to coordinate a successful surrogacy. Without the right knowledge beforehand, picking a top-class surrogacy agency could take significantly longer if you have no clue what to look for.

But the bottom line for all intended parents is this: choosing a surrogate is never an easy choice, especially when selecting a company that will handle all of the most critical details. 

What makes a good surrogacy agency that you can trust, relying upon its expertise – and compassion –  to guide you through the most significant life-changing decision you’ll ever make?

Our staff at SurrogateFirst truly wants to help you achieve something you never thought possible: parenthood!

Here’s what we recommend to our clients when they want to compare agencies before making a final decision.

What is the surrogacy agency’s history and experience?

Undoubtedly, a quality surrogacy program has a lengthy history of successful outcomes for all parties – surrogates, children, and the intended parents.

You could drive yourself up the wall thinking about what are the best questions to ask, so we’ve narrowed them down for you.

What is the surrogacy agency’s founder’s background?

World-class surrogacy agencies will undoubtedly have a compassionate, knowledgeable founder. Ideally, you’d want someone who personally knows the struggles you and your partner or spouse will go through.

Likewise, the surrogates themselves have to take a leap of faith and know that the founder truly cares about their health and well-being first, not profits. 

How long has the surrogacy agency been in business?

Years in business is another quality you should look for. While there’s no set-in-stone number of years that qualifies an agency, you still want to be mindful of how much successful surrogacy the company has actually coordinated.

Is the surrogacy agency successful?

Success in surrogacy is everything; it’s truly everything we work for, and that’s what we stand for at SurrogateFirst. Not only does a great agency have financial success, but they also have a proven track record for creating families that wouldn’t exist without their dedication and commitment.

Who is the surrogacy agency team?

The next characteristic of a world-class surrogacy agency is its staff, its team. Without a unified staff, the surrogacy process won’t go as smoothly as you might expect.

Is the surrogacy staff capable?

A capable staff should have a working knowledge of all relevant legal and medical considerations. But if you need more specific answers, a quality team should recommend that you speak with lawyers or physicians and not give you empty promises. 

Does the team have the right skill set to assist you best?

The skills you’re looking for vary, but at the very least, agency physicians should have a robust medical background and, preferably, a background in reproductive endocrinology. 

Still, there are many other soft skills that staff should possess, like service and compassion, to name a few. Often, something as simple as a friendly smile at the front desk – a touch of genuine empathy – will put you at ease because surrogacy is about so much more than filing paperwork.

Do they also have a dedicated surrogacy case coordinator?

Indeed, case coordination is one of the most underrated aspects of a successful agency. Ideally, the agency should have the ability to communicate with you in any language, including English, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

What is the surrogacy agency’s reputation?

It seems like it’d be difficult, but researching an agency’s reputation is actually one of the most straightforward steps.

At the very least, you ought to try things like:

• Check out review sites
• Ask for a referral from both a former surrogate and an intended parent

Reputation matters tremendously, but what matters more is compassion because it’s never easy to come by.

Is the surrogacy team compassionate?

From our point of view, compassion is necessary for a successful surrogacy, especially when things don’t go as planned.

Do they show genuine compassion in their communications?

When comparing agencies, we ask our clients to see if one company clearly cares more than the other. Many agencies across the country prioritizeThere are many agencies across the country that prioritize profits over the quality of their services.

The best way to spot such a lackluster surrogacy agency is to gauge their compassion and empathy through ordinary conversation.

Do they understand what you are going through now and what you’ll go through later?

The best agencies have employees that have been there before because many things can pop up unexpectedly. When they do, you need expertise on your side, not opaque jargon.

Is the surrogacy team detail-oriented?

Lastly, a good surrogacy agency is a detail-oriented operation. At the very minimum, they must be:

• Extraordinarily organized
• Have the correct processes to avoid any lost information
• Have the ability to manage all parties involved over a long period

 Detail-oriented agencies are the most successful over time.

What else matters when looking for a surrogate agency?

At SurrogateFirst, we take a different approach than most agencies. We’re all former intended parents or surrogates ourselves, so we’ve been there, been through every peak and valley ourselves.

Our agency’s core values are what sets us apart from other companies.

We’re compassionate experts in the surrogacy field, and we genuinely believe in providing surrogates and intended parents with the personal attention they won’t get anywhere else.

About SurrogateFirst

At SurrogateFirst, we’re a boutique surrogate agency specializing in quickly matching intended parents around the world with our fully-vetted, exceptional surrogates. 

We help individuals and couples, regardless of race or sexual orientation, build their families through the miracle of surrogacy.

Every team member at SurrogateFirst is either a former intended parent or an experienced surrogate herself. We also have first-hand knowledge of what it takes to have an incredible, successful surrogate journey.