Opting for surrogacy is a decision that comes with its own difficulties for couples in Los Angeles (California). It is well known that embarking on this task of life can be an arduous and demanding process, testing the resilience and determination of those who have the cherished aspiration of becoming parents.
Hence, apart from mustering strength, love, and patience to confront the potential obstacles along the way, it is equally important to be financially prepared for the entirety of the surrogacy process.
Although it is understandable why surrogacy is an expensive process, no matter which destination you choose to carry it out, many intended parents wonder where it’s possible to save money.
In this article, we present a selection of the best destinations to make surrogacy more affordable, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of each country.
1. Colombia
Colombia has gained recognition as a top choice for surrogacy, known for its welcoming environment, easy accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Family Aims, a prominent international surrogacy agency, provides comprehensive assistance to prospective parents from Los Angeles (California), overseeing all legal and medical processes within Colombia. Their commitment to maintaining costs within the agreed-upon budget underscores their dedication to facilitating a smooth surrogacy journey.
The exceptional reputation of Babynova Clinic by Novafem, an affiliated clinic with vast expertise in assisted gestation, adds further credibility to the remarkable experience provided.
Surrogacy waiting periods in Colombia are relatively brief, with an additional duration of 2 to 3 months compared to clinics in other parts of the world. This presents a favorable opportunity for parents who are eager to commence the process as soon as possible.
Moreover, the decreased waiting time in Colombia plays a crucial role in lowering the overall cost of surrogacy. With a starting price of $65,000 USD, Colombia becomes an enticing choice for those in search of accessible and cost-effective surrogacy options.
2. United States
Despite being one of the countries with a thriving surrogacy industry and housing expert agencies and specialized clinics, surrogacy treatments in the United States can be financially burdensome for foreigners. Additionally, foreign intended parents often face the challenge of obtaining a specific visa, which can be expensive or, in certain cases, completely unattainable depending on their nationality.
Even for residents, surrogacy in the United States can be a costly endeavor due to the need to relocate between states. The lack of consistent regulations for surrogacy across the country results in additional expenses related to these interstate moves, ultimately inflating the overall surrogacy budget.
It is crucial to consider that, apart from visa costs and complying with state legislation requirements, the number of attempts included in each surrogacy plan and the need for additional tests can significantly contribute to a substantial increase in expenses.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the costs for surrogacy can potentially surpass 200,000 USD, and this amount may increase based on the chosen surrogacy method and the number of attempts included in the process.
3. Georgia
Surrogacy in Georgia is affordable, but you must know that this treatment is only for heterosexual couples with more than one year of relationship.
The base cost of surrogacy in Georgia is 55,000 USD. However, the new legislation that come into force in 2024 forbids surrogacy for foreigners, which limits access to this treatment to same-sex couples, and foreigners who decide to carry out surrogacy in this country.
Given the prohibitive legislation in force that involves numerous complications even for natural residents of Georgia, this destination is a possible one for its legality, but a difficult one to access for those interested.
4. Cyprus
Several European countries provide their residents with highly affordable surrogacy options. Cyprus, for instance, is host to specialized clinics that offer surrogacy procedures at approximately 65,000 USD, making it an attractive choice for individuals seeking cost-effective surrogacy within Europe.
However, given the significant demand for surrogacy procedures and the limited local population, the availability of suitable candidates is often restricted. This frequently necessitates a broader search outside the country to find surrogates willing to undergo the procedure.
As a result of this restriction, foreigners who seek to become gestational carriers are required to travel to a different country to give birth to the newborn. This, in turn, raises the costs, risks, and legal fees associated with the surrogacy process.
Additionally, intended parents who are not European nationals face a substantial amount of paperwork, which incurs extra costs to access certain services and ensure unrestricted mobility throughout the various stages of the surrogacy process.
Consequently, surrogacy in this country necessitates meticulous financial planning as an essential factor to consider.
5. Mexico
Among the Latin American nations, Mexico stands as one of the exceptions that permits surrogacy, although comprehensive regulations are only clearly defined in a handful of states.
This indicates that individuals interested in surrogacy must travel to these specific regions to undergo the procedure, or take the risk of attempting it in another state with uncertain legal processes.
In addition, the increase in demand for this service and legal limitations in the rest of the country make the process more expensive, around 55 000 USD, and unlike other surrogacy places, the staff is not always specialized.
Moreover, obtaining the necessary documentation for the baby can be compromised due to legal limitations in certain states where surrogacy is not fully legalized. This situation leads to increased expenses due to the need for additional documentation and potential transportation complications.
For residents residing in proximity to states where surrogacy is permitted, the absence of specialized training in certain healthcare facilities can introduce complexities for foreign parents traveling to these states for the first time. This lack of training raises concerns regarding the availability of necessary social security guarantees, unlike what is offered in other countries.
Although surrogacy is permitted in the mentioned states, the demand for this procedure is generally low since these states are not popular tourist destinations and lack significant economic investment. Consequently, this may discourage foreigners from considering these states as the ideal destination for surrogacy.
Affordable prices for residents of Los Angeles (California)
When couples aspire to start a family, they often hesitate to cut corners on expenses as it is considered the most precious and fulfilling endeavor they can undertake together.
However, it’s vital to be able to have a plan and anticipate any setback that may generate complications in any of its members, as well as affect the emotional and economic stability of its members.
With a multitude of surrogacy options available, it’s vital to make a well-considered decision that extends beyond mere pricing. It’s important to select a destination that maximizes the likelihood of realizing the dream of parenthood, particularly for residents of Los Angeles (California).
