Creating an embryo for your surrogacy can mean you are one step closer to the family you dream of, and for some families, that means getting a sperm donor. The cost of a sperm donor depends on several factors, but ranges from $400-$2000 on average.
If you’re looking for a sperm donor for surrogacy, you can get guidance on what you will need to move to the next step in your surrogacy journey when you fill out our simple form.
How Much Does a Sperm Donor Cost?
One vial of sperm can cost anywhere from $400- $2000 on average. Sperm donation costs depend on several factors including the professional you use and the needs you have.
Did you know?
One vial of sperm typically equals one attempt at pregnancy. Purchasing at least two vials is recommended by most specialists, and many couples will decide to purchase more than that.
Here are some of the costs you can expect when you find a sperm donor:
Screening and Testing Costs
At a reputable sperm bank, all of the sperm that is banked will be screened for things like common genetic conditions and sexually transmitted diseases, and the sperm donors themselves will also be screened. If you choose to find a direct donor, you may be responsible for doing screening up front, but you will still need a professional to complete medical screening.
The Information Provided by the Donor
Beyond basics of screening your sperm donor, the cost of a sperm donor may be more if you are looking for a particular type of donor. Choosing between a known, ID-disclosed or anonymous sperm donor can significantly impact the cost of sperm donation. Each option varies in terms of transparency, legal implications and budget, allowing you to choose the best fit for your needs and circumstances. Sperm donor costs largely depend on the sperm bank’s pricing, but typically are structured in the following ways:
- Opting for a known donor, such as a friend or relative, might reduce initial procurement costs.
- Anonymous donors, procured from sperm banks, usually entail moderate costs due to the rigorous screening, storage and handling fees included in the purchase price.
- ID-disclosed donors, who agree to have their identity revealed to the child at a certain age, may come with higher costs than anonymous donors because of the extent of the information provided. These donors are often sourced through sperm banks, which handle the necessary testing and record-keeping.
Storage Costs
No matter when the sperm is donated, it is likely that it will need to be stored at least temporarily. In some cases sperm may be banked for quite a while (often before you reach out to a sperm bank), but in other cases the storage may be temporary if you choose a direct donor. These fees may be built into the costs at your sperm bank or may be an additional charge.
Type of Sperm
Sperm banks have different categories of pricing based off of the intended use of the sperm such as home insemination vs IUI/ICI/IVF. This is typically listed as IUI washed or ICI unwashed. For IVF, you will typically want IUI washed, which are typically more expensive because of the extra lab processes involved.
Transportation Costs
Transportation or shipping costs can become a factor if you are using a national bank, or if your sperm bank is in a separate location from your fertility clinic or your surrogate’s fertility clinic. Since vials are sensitive to temperature changes and need special handling, you can expect to pay more than typical shipping for everyday items.
Professional Fees
If you are using a professional sperm bank, you can expect that there will be fees for things like storage, banking, and cataloguing as well as staffing and screening that were done on the front end. In some cases these costs may be bundled together, but if you choose to find a sperm donor directly, you will be responsible for coordinating these things and calculating costs.
Sperm Donor Costs and Surrogacy
While a sperm donor may be an additional expense to your family-building journey, it could make your overall surrogacy experience more cost-effective. If you are in need of a donor due to infertility or out of fear of passing on a genetic condition, working with a sperm donor can increase your chances of success with IVF and surrogacy.
Sperm banks have screening processes to ensure all sperm donations are genetically healthy. High-quality sperm contributes to high-quality embryos, meaning a higher chance of an embryo transfer resulting in a surrogate pregnancy. This means you will be less likely to need to create more embryos, saving you money while fulfilling your dreams of parenthood.
We are here to help you make the most of your time on your family building journey. By assisting you in completing your surrogacy planning questionnaire (SPQ) and intended parent profile, you'll be fully prepared to move forward once your embryos are created. Contact us today to get started.
FAQ
How much should a sperm donor charge?
A sperm donor is generally paid between $70-200 for each donation at sperm banks, and may donate several times. If you are using a known donor, you will likely negotiate the payment directly, and can include factors like the amount of time expected for the donation.
Does insurance cover sperm donors?
Insurance does not usually cover sperm donors, which means you will likely be paying out of pocket to cover the costs of sperm donation.
How much do sperm donors get paid in the US?
In the US, sperm donors get paid an average of $70-$200 per donation, and can donate regularly with some sperm banks.
How to have a baby with sperm donor?
To have a baby with a sperm donor, you can reach out to a sperm bank or a fertility clinic to learn more about your options. Our specialists can also help you with your surrogacy journey when you fill out our simple form.