Surrogacy is an increasingly popular option for individuals and couples in Virginia who are looking to grow their families. Whether you're beginning your research or already planning next steps, one of the first things you’ll want to know is how much surrogacy costs — and how the process works in your state.
This guide explains how much surrogacy costs in Virginia, how those costs are structured, what the legal landscape looks like, and how American Surrogacy can support you throughout your journey.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Virginia?
In Virginia, the cost of surrogacy typically ranges from $100,000 to $200,000+. This amount includes surrogate compensation, medical care, legal services, agency coordination, and insurance-related expenses.
Virginia is considered a surrogacy-permissive state. While there is no dedicated gestational surrogacy statute, courts have historically upheld surrogacy contracts and issued pre- or post-birth parentage orders, especially when agreements are clearly written and supported by experienced legal professionals. With the right agency and legal team, you can move forward with confidence in Virginia.
American Surrogacy’s Programs in Virginia
American Surrogacy offers three program options, allowing families to choose the approach that best fits their needs and financial situation:
- Limited Risk Program ($169,900 - $179,000+): A full-service option that includes financial protections for events like failed embryo transfers, rematches, and early complications. Most intended parents are matched with a surrogate in 1 to 4 months.
- Foundation Program ($115,400 - $170,000+) A pay-as-you-go model that includes full coordination but fewer financial safeguards. This is ideal for families who want to manage payments over time.
- Independent Program (starting at $17,000): Designed for families who already have a surrogate. This program includes coordination only and excludes surrogate compensation, IVF, and legal costs. Most independent journeys still exceed $100,000. For more information, visit our Independent Program page.
Surrogacy Cost Breakdown
A surrogacy journey in Virginia typically includes the following categories of expenses:
- Agency fees: Covering case management, qualified surrogate matching and screening, trust account oversight, and coordination with legal and medical professionals
- Surrogate compensation: Base pay and reimbursements for maternity needs, childcare, travel, lost income, and insurance premiums
- Legal services: Drafting surrogacy contracts and securing court-issued parentage orders
- Medical costs: IVF cycles, fertility medications, embryo transfers, prenatal monitoring, and delivery
These services work together to ensure that your journey is secure, well-coordinated, and legally sound.
Understanding Agency Services and Surrogate Compensation
Agency fees cover the full scope of coordination required for a safe and smooth surrogacy journey. This includes managing communication, coordinating timelines, handling finances, and offering emotional support. With American Surrogacy, each family is assigned a dedicated case specialist for personalized guidance.
In Virginia, surrogates are typically paid a base fee starting at $50,000. When reimbursements are included, total compensation often ranges from $60,000 to $75,000 or more. These additional expenses may cover:
- Maternity supplies and wellness items
- Lost wages and childcare
- Travel and lodging
- Health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses
All payments are disbursed through a licensed escrow account to ensure legal compliance and financial transparency.
Managing Unexpected Costs
While the surrogacy process is carefully planned, unexpected situations — such as a failed embryo transfer or a change in surrogate availability — can affect your overall budget. The Limited Risk Program is designed to protect against these common disruptions, giving families greater cost stability and peace of mind as they move through the process.
How Much Does a Surrogate Cost in Virginia?
Surrogate compensation in Virginia generally starts at $50,000 in base pay, with total packages typically reaching $60,000 to $75,000 or more. Compensation may vary depending on location, experience, and health care needs.
If you're using the Independent Program, you’ll need to arrange and manage surrogate compensation separately. Even with a known surrogate, most journeys still exceed $100,000 when legal, medical, and agency-related expenses are included.
How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance in Virginia?
While most insurance plans won’t cover surrogate compensation or agency coordination, they may help offset medical expenses such as:
- IVF treatment and diagnostic testing
- Fertility medications
- Prenatal and delivery care for the surrogate (if covered under her insurance)
Health insurance providers commonly used in Virginia include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optima Health, and UnitedHealthcare. Our team will review both your and your surrogate’s policies and help secure supplemental coverage as needed.
How Much Does IVF and Surrogacy Cost?
If IVF is part of your surrogacy plan, additional costs will apply. These may include:
- Fertility consultations and testing
- Embryo creation and transfer
- Medications and monitoring
- Donor sperm or eggs if applicable
Fertility clinics in cities like Richmond, Arlington, and Virginia Beach provide a range of services. We’ll help connect you with a provider that fits your care plan and budget.
Affording Surrogacy
Surrogacy is a significant financial commitment, but there are many ways to make the process more accessible. In addition to our affordable program options, many Virginia families also explore:
Grant and scholarship opportunities:
- Baby Quest Foundation
- Men Having Babies GPAP Program
- Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation
- Journey to Parenthood
Employer-sponsored fertility benefits from:
- Carrot Fertility
- Progyny
- Other financing tools such as health savings accounts (HSAs), home equity loans, or 401(k) loans
We’ll help you create a customized financial strategy that fits your goals and timeline.
Affording Surrogacy: Fertility Financing Options
We have worked with intended parents in many different financial situations, and here’s the truth: Most don’t simply have the full cost of surrogacy saved up. Many intended parents afford surrogacy through a combination of savings, investments and financing.
To that end, we have a surrogacy financing partner who provides excellent services that help make surrogacy more affordable:
Sunfish: Sunfish offers low-interest fertility loans for IVF, surrogacy, and egg donors for American Surrogacy. They make parenthood attainable for all types of families through financial solutions, support, and guidance.
Learn more about financing your surrogacy through Sunfish here.
Why Choose American Surrogacy?
Even in a surrogacy-friendly state like Virginia, the process can be complex. Choosing the right agency ensures your experience is well-coordinated, legally sound, and fully supported. Here’s what sets American Surrogacy apart:
- Most families are matched with a surrogate in 1 to 4 months
- We partner with attorneys who understand Virginia’s legal process for contract approval and parentage orders
- A dedicated case specialist guides you through every stage of the journey
- Our flexible programs fit a range of financial situations and family goals
- We provide compassionate, ethical support for both surrogates and intended parents
We are committed to helping you complete this journey with confidence and care.
Next Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey
Virginia offers a strong legal environment for gestational surrogacy, making it a reliable place to pursue this path. Whether you're starting from scratch or already matched with a surrogate, American Surrogacy can help you move forward with confidence.
If you're ready to begin, contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist and start building your family in Virginia.