How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Nebraska?

Surrogacy is a family-building option that can offer hope to those who are unable to carry a child on their own. If you're beginning to explore this path, understanding how it works in your state — and what it may cost — can help you prepare for the journey ahead.

If you're considering surrogacy in Nebraska, it’s especially important to know how the state’s legal landscape affects the process. In this guide, we’ll explain what surrogacy costs look like, how Nebraska law impacts your options, and what support is available to help you build your family safely and confidently.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Nebraska?

The average cost of surrogacy for Nebraska residents ranges from $100,000 to $200,000+, depending on your chosen program, medical needs, and legal arrangements. However, Nebraska is currently one of the most surrogacy-restrictive states in the country. State law prohibits compensated surrogacy contracts and makes them legally unenforceable — meaning intended parents in Nebraska cannot legally pay a surrogate within the state.

Despite this restriction, many Nebraska families complete their surrogacy journeys by working with gestational carriers in surrogacy-friendly states, while receiving agency support and legal coordination tailored to Nebraska’s requirements.

American Surrogacy’s Programs for Nebraska Residents

To support families in states like Nebraska, American Surrogacy offers three flexible programs:

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): For families who already have a surrogate. This includes coordination and oversight but excludes compensation, IVF, and legal services. Most independent journeys still cost over $100,000.

To explore which option may be the best fit for your family, visit our Full-Service Programs or learn more about our Independent Program.

Surrogacy Cost Breakdown

Cost breakdown for surrogacy in Nebraska

A full surrogacy journey will typically include the following expense categories:

Agency fees: Covering surrogate screening and matching (in surrogacy-friendly states), legal and medical coordination, trust account management, and 24/7 support
Surrogate compensation: Includes base pay and reimbursements for pregnancy-related costs — although compensated arrangements cannot take place within Nebraska
Legal services: Drafting enforceable contracts in other states, securing parentage orders, and ensuring compliance with all jurisdictional requirements
Medical expenses: IVF, embryo transfer, fertility medications, prenatal care, and delivery

These components make up the foundation of a secure, ethical surrogacy journey — even when carried out across state lines.

Understanding Agency Fees and Surrogate Compensation

Agency fees support every step of your surrogacy journey, from initial education and screening to finalizing parentage. For Nebraska families, this includes carefully coordinating with surrogates in states where compensated surrogacy is legal, while still managing the entire process on your behalf.

Although Nebraska law prohibits paid surrogacy within the state, intended parents can still legally compensate surrogates outside of Nebraska. In those cases, compensation typically begins at $50,000, with full packages — including reimbursements — totaling $60,000 to $75,000 or more. Covered expenses may include:

Lost wages during pregnancy
Travel and lodging
Childcare and housekeeping
Maternity clothing
Medical co-pays and insurance premiums

All payments are managed through an escrow account and made according to the legal framework of the surrogate’s home state.

Limiting Financial Risk During Surrogacy

Because of Nebraska’s legal limitations, surrogacy journeys can feel more complex — which is why financial protection is especially important. American Surrogacy’s Limited Risk Program is designed to shield families from unexpected costs.

This program includes safeguards for rematches, canceled transfers, and early medical complications, giving you a reliable and predictable financial plan throughout your journey — even when working across state lines.

How Much Does a Surrogate Cost for Nebraska Families?

While you cannot pursue a compensated surrogacy arrangement within Nebraska, you can legally work with a surrogate who lives in a surrogacy-friendly state. Surrogate compensation in these cases typically starts at $50,000, with total compensation packages averaging $60,000 to $75,000 or more.

Families pursuing the Independent Program will manage these payments themselves, outside the program fee. Even so, total expenses usually exceed $100,000 when all legal, medical, and logistical elements are included.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost with Insurance in Nebraska?

Surrogacy-related insurance costs depend on your health coverage and the policy held by your surrogate (who will likely live out of state). While surrogate compensation and agency fees are not typically covered, insurance may help with:

IVF procedures and testing
Fertility medications
Prenatal care and delivery (depending on the surrogate’s plan)

Nebraska families are often insured through providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Our team will review both your and your surrogate’s plans and help you address any gaps through supplemental insurance options.

How Much Does IVF and Surrogacy Cost?

If your surrogacy journey includes IVF, that introduces an additional layer of medical costs. Common IVF-related services include:

IVF treatment and embryo transfer
Fertility medications
Donor sperm or eggs (if applicable)
Monitoring, lab work, and testing

Fertility clinics in Omaha and Lincoln may be able to provide services in-state, while the actual transfer and pregnancy may occur in another state based on your surrogate’s location. Our team will help coordinate the best clinic partnerships for your specific needs.

Affording Surrogacy

Although surrogacy is a large investment, Nebraska families have access to several financial tools to help manage the cost. Along with our affordable surrogacy programs, you may want to explore:

Grants and scholarships:

Employer-sponsored benefits through:

Carrot Fertility
Progyny

Personal finance options such as HSAs, 401(k) loans, or home equity lines of credit

Affording Surrogacy: Fertility Financing Options

Our team is happy to walk you through these options and help create a custom plan based on your unique goals. To help ensure you work with a trusted service provider, 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.

Our team can help you create a financial plan tailored to your timeline, goals, and resources.

Why Choose American Surrogacy?

For Nebraska families, working with a knowledgeable, full-service agency is essential. American Surrogacy provides the support, experience, and legal awareness needed to complete a safe and successful journey — even with legal restrictions in place. Here's what makes us a trusted choice:

Legally compliant coordination: We help Nebraska families work with surrogates in surrogacy-friendly states, ensuring all agreements are valid and enforceable.
Fast, reliable matches: Most intended parents are matched in 1 to 4 months, thanks to our active network of screened surrogates.
Streamlined communication: Your dedicated case specialist will guide you through every step — from initial consultation to finalizing parentage.
Flexible program options: Whether you’re looking for financial protection or already have a match, we offer a plan that meets your needs.
Compassionate care: We support intended parents and surrogates alike, creating a respectful and professional experience for everyone involved.

You’ll never have to navigate the complexities of surrogacy alone. We’ll walk beside you at every step, offering clear answers and ongoing support.

Next Steps in Your Surrogacy Journey

While Nebraska prohibits compensated surrogacy agreements within the state, families can still pursue surrogacy by working with surrogates in legally supportive states. With the right agency and legal counsel, your path to parenthood remains possible — and protected.

If you're ready to learn more, contact American Surrogacy today to speak with a specialist about how to begin your surrogacy journey safely and successfully.