Best surrogacy agencies in the word

Item: Iran Health Agency
Author: Doctor Mehdi Ahmadi

Review by: Doctor Mehdi Ahmadi
Publish: November 12, 2024
Update: June 29, 2026

If you’ve spent some time doing research about surrogacy online, you know what a confusing world of numbers, agency promises you can’t easily verify, and what appears to be a new language for international intended parents – living abroad in countries as diverse as the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Pakistan, and Canada-learning the US system of reproduction is. So, I’m going to be upfront with you, as I would be with a patient who was sitting across my desk from me: Selecting an agency is the single most important decision of your surrogacy process, and it deserves more attention than anything.

The cost of an average gestational surrogacy in the U.S. Will range anywhere from $90,000-$150,000 in total costs, including agency fees, surrogate compensation, legal costs, IVF cycles, and medical expenses. This is not an expenditure-this is an investment in your life. And there’s no return policy, like when you buy a house or a car.

The surrogacy agencies reviewed in this guide have been evaluated based on objective, clinically sound criteria: their legal structures of protection, the thoroughness of their surrogate screenings, the strength of their international support structures, the transparency of their costs, and their documented track records. No agency paid to be featured, and no single agency is considered to be definitively “the best” because the correct agency for a same-sex couple in London might be completely incorrect for a straight couple in Mumbai.

Disclaimer:

All information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. All data, estimates, and references included in this article reflect the most recent available information as of June 2026.

How We Ranked the Best Surrogacy Agencies

Each of the agencies listed in this guide was assessed on the following six principles: we can view them the way a physician uses diagnostic signs; none alone reveals the full story, but as a whole, they provide a clinically relevant perspective.

Agency Experience and Reputation

How many years the agency has been in business does count, but not entirely. We were looking for proof of case history: how many successful journeys had taken place, how they would respond to problems, and whether their reputation in the international surrogacy community had held steady over time. Agencies such as Circle Surrogacy have been working for three decades.[1] That kind of institutional memory matters when unexpected situations arise.

International Parent Support

For non-US intended parents, the main question isn’t whether an agency works with international intended parents; most do. The real issue is whether they have the infrastructure in place: multilingual case managers, assistance with navigating visa requirements, collaboration with international clinics, and expertise in managing legal documents across international borders.

Legal and Financial Protection

A trusted surrogacy agency will place surrogacy payments in an escrow account, keeping them separate from the agency’s operating costs. They will ensure a pre-birth order is procured in a pro-surrogacy state. A clinical red flag is when a surrogacy agency cannot articulate its legal process.

Surrogate Screening Process

Your surrogate screening process and its quality directly reflect your safety, medical, and emotional well-being. Screening consists of a psychological evaluation, a background check, a medical record review, and a home study. Agencies that rush screening in an effort to meet quotas increase the risk.

Cost Transparency

This is often where a family gets burnt. Find an agency that provides an itemized breakdown of the costs, not estimates. The transparent agency will explain the breakdown of base agency fees, surrogacy fees, legal fees, medical screening fees, and holding fees. Fees in surrogacy often hide until the last stage of the process, when families feel it is too late to turn back.

Success Rates and Outcomes

The success rates for surrogacy are somewhat difficult to analyze, as there are factors associated with IVF clinics, embryo quality, and the surrogate’s health. The agencies themselves can only monitor surrogates to a limited degree. We were interested in whether agencies reported and disclosed results transparently and whether they partnered with a licensed fertility clinic.

Top 10 Best Surrogacy Agencies in the World

The agencies listed represent a fair cross-section of the industry and have been reviewed for the above factors. Where points are from cited sources, they are noted with a citation.

1. Circle Surrogacy

Overview:

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts, Circle Surrogacy is one of the longest-operating top surrogacy agencies in the United States, with over 30 years of documented history in the field [1]. They also maintain a London office [2], making them one of the few American agencies with a formal UK presence, a meaningful advantage for British intended parents navigating transatlantic surrogacy.

Strengths: Global legal expertise, established surrogate network, multilingual support, and strong LGBTQ+ program history.
Ideal candidates: International intended parents, same-sex couples, and those seeking an agency with a long institutional track record.
International support: Yes, with a dedicated international program and a London office.

2. Hatch Fertility

Overview:

Hatch is a boutique fertility agency operating primarily in New York, with active surrogacy programs in multiple states [3]. Their model prioritizes close case manager relationships, a meaningful differentiator in an industry where families often feel like case numbers.

Strengths: Small caseloads per coordinator, strong donor-surrogate matching process, responsive communication.
Ideal candidates: Intended parents who value personalized attention and direct access to their case team.
International support: Available for international intended parents — contact directly for program details [4].

3. ConceiveAbilities

Overview: Based in Chicago, Illinois, ConceiveAbilities has more than 25 years of experience in the surrogacy and egg donation space. They are particularly well-known for their inclusive approach to family-building, with dedicated programs for LGBTQ+ families [5].

Strengths: Inclusive program design, an experienced legal network, and a strong donor database.
Ideal candidates: LGBTQ+ families, single intended parents, and those seeking both egg donation and surrogacy under one agency.
International support: Yes. International inquiries accepted through their contact team [6].

4. Creative Family Connections

Overview: Creative Family Connections focuses specifically on helping same-sex couples and single parents achieve parenthood through gestational surrogacy. Their legal team has particular expertise in the rights of non-biological parents.

Strengths: Same-sex parent specialization, strong legal network, advocacy focus.
Ideal candidates: Gay male couples, lesbian couples requiring a career, and single parents by choice.
International support: Available, contact the agency directly for international program details.

5. ACRC Global

Overview: ACRC Global is designed specifically for cross-border families. Their framework addresses the logistical complexity of international surrogacy agencies, coordinating among clinics, embassies, legal jurisdictions, and family structures across multiple countries.

Strengths: Cross-border expertise, international legal coordination, multilingual support structure.

Ideal candidates: Intended parents from outside the U.S. who need structured guidance across multiple systems.

International support: Core program feature.

6. American Surrogacy

Overview: American Surrogacy is a full-service agency based in Overland Park, Kansas, with a comprehensive programme structure that covers every aspect of the journey from initial consultation through post-birth legal finalisation [7]. They operate nationally and accept international intended parents into their programme [8].

Strengths: Cost transparency, comprehensive educational resources, and a national surrogate network.

Ideal candidates: Families seeking a structured, well-documented program with clear financial projections.

International support: Yes. Contact and inquiry portal available [9].

7. Ivy Surrogacy

Overview: Ivy Surrogacy has built its identity around serving international intended parents, particularly gay intended fathers — navigating the U.S. system from abroad. Their advisor network includes specialists in cross-border family law [10].

Strengths: International parent specialisation, LGBTQ+ focused programming, legal support for cross-border parentage.
Ideal candidates: Gay intended fathers internationally, LGBTQ+ families from non-surrogacy-friendly countries.
International support: Core programme focus. Learn more on their about page [11].

8. All Families Surrogacy

Overview: Based in Beaverton, Oregon, All Families Surrogacy is a boutique agency with a strong community reputation [12]. Their size means intended parents typically work with the same coordinator throughout the entire journey — a continuity that larger agencies often cannot offer.

Strengths: Boutique model, consistent case management, strong Oregon-based surrogate community.
Ideal candidates: Families who prioritise personal relationships and consistent communication over speed of matching.
International support: Available, listed on third-party directories for international reach [13].

9. IARC Surrogacy

Overview: IARC operates with a global orientation, positioning itself as a coordination hub for families navigating international surrogacy programs. Their model integrates legal, medical, and travel coordination within a single case management framework.

Strengths: International programme structure, legal coordination, multi-country experience.
Ideal candidates: Intended parents from emerging surrogacy markets seeking structured international support.
International support: Core programme feature.

10. Golden Surrogacy

Overview: Golden Surrogacy rounds out our list with a personalised programme model designed to accommodate a wide range of family structures and international backgrounds. They are particularly noted for their case management approach that adapts to the cultural and logistical needs of their clients.

Strengths: Cultural sensitivity, personalised matching, international programme adaptability.
Ideal candidates: Families from culturally diverse backgrounds seeking agencies with cross-cultural competence.
International support: Available, contact agency for programme specifications.

Quick Comparison of the Best Surrogacy Agencies

Use this table as a quick reference when beginning your surrogacy agency comparison. It is a starting point, not a final decision tool.

Agency	Headquarters	Years in Business	International	Key Strength
Circle Surrogacy	Boston, MA	30+ yrs	Yes	Global reach & legal expertise
Hatch Fertility	New York, NY	Est. 2016	Yes	Boutique; intl parent care
ConceiveAbilities	Chicago, IL	25+ yrs	Yes	LGBTQ+ inclusive journeys
American Surrogacy	Overland Park	20+ yrs	Yes	Full-service & transparent
Ivy Surrogacy	Various, US	Est. 2016	Yes	Intl parent specialization
All Families Surrogacy	Beaverton, OR	10+ yrs	Yes	Personal, boutique care
Creative Family Connect.	Various, US	15+ yrs	Yes	Same-sex parent expertise
ACRC Global	US/Intl	Est.	Yes	Cross-border coordination
IARC Surrogacy	Intl	Est.	Yes	International focus
Golden Surrogacy	US/Intl	Est.	Yes	Personalized programs

Best Surrogacy Agencies by Specific Needs

Best for International Intended Parents

If you are reading this from outside the United States, your first filter should be: does this agency have infrastructure for international parents, not just willingness? The top choices here are Circle Surrogacy (with its London office [2]), Ivy Surrogacy (with dedicated international parent programming [10]), and ACRC Global and American Surrogacy (both accepting international applicants [8]).

Best for LGBTQ+ Families

ConceiveAbilities and Ivy Surrogacy have created programs to help build a family within the LGBTQ community [5]. Creative Family Connections is also focused on assisting in same-sex parenting. The distinctive element of these agencies is not merely openness; it’s that there are dedicated legal programs designed to navigate the complexities of how non-biological parents have their parental rights protected in a two-mother or two-father scenario.

Best for Personalised Support

If you don’t want to be passed between case managers, consider All Families Surrogacy or Hatch Fertility. Boutiques only keep limited cases open so you and the family you matched with will have the same case manager all the way up to delivery.

Best for Cost Transparency

The most commonly praised element is American Surrogacy’s transparent fee breakdown. Unlike agencies that blend agency fees with the surrogate’s compensation and third-party fees, American Surrogacy clearly delineates agency fees, the intended mother’s payments to the intended father, third-party expenses, and the surrogate’s compensation. Transparency at this level limits the possibility of unexpected expenses occurring midway through the 12- to 18-month surrogacy journey, which can be emotionally and logistically detrimental [7].

Best for Faster Matching

Agencies with a large volume of surrogate candidates (e.g., Circle Surrogacy, ConceiveAbilities) tend to have shorter average matching times. Again, do not necessarily sacrifice quality for speed; a quicker match that leads to an incompatible surrogate relationship will ultimately result in greater delays and emotional anguish than a slightly longer matching process with better compatibility.

Red Flags When Choosing a Surrogacy Agency

In our experience reviewing fertility pathways with international families, these are the warning signs that should prompt you to slow down, or walk away entirely.

Hidden fees: If the agency can’t provide you with a written, itemized list of its fees before you sign the contract, they aren’t ready to work with you. End of story.
Lack of escrow protection: Surrogate’s compensation needs to be held by a third-party escrow service, not just the agency’s general funds, so it is protected.
Poor communication: If an email reply takes several days when you’re just a prospect, imagine what communication will look like in case of a medical emergency at 28 weeks pregnant.
Unclear legal process: A reputable agency will be able to clearly explain how pre-birth orders are obtained, which state laws apply to your case, and how citizenship is established for your child.
Unrealistic guarantees: Uncertain legal procedure is a big red flag! Any agency should be able to thoroughly explain how a pre-birth order is obtained, which state law will govern, and how the baby’s citizenship is established.
No documented track record: Request references for former intended parents of the agency, especially those in the same country as you, if that’s where you’re coming from. If they don’t have them, they may have something to hide.

How Iran Health Agency Supports International Intended Parents

Most surrogacy agencies are well-equipped to manage the first, but IHA has the infrastructure to help you with the second.

The IranHealthAgency works specifically with international families who are coordinating fertility and surrogacy treatment across borders. Our services are designed to reduce the friction points that most agencies do not address:

Treatment coordination: We help you understand which clinics accept international patients and how to time your travel for embryo transfer or monitoring cycles.
Clinic selection assistance: Not all fertility clinics have equal experience with international patient protocols. We help match your medical history with the right clinical environment.
Travel planning: We coordinate travel timelines around your medical protocol, accounting for visa processing times, clinic schedules, and procedural requirements.
Multilingual support: Our team communicates in multiple languages, reducing the risk of miscommunication during critical medical and legal stages.
Medical documentation assistance: We assist with organising and translating medical records, fertility test results, and documentation required by U.S. clinics and legal teams.
Personalised case management: Each family receives a dedicated case coordinator who understands both the Iranian fertility landscape and the specific requirements of your home country.

We don’t take over for your surrogacy agency; we partner with them. We handle the international coordination so they can focus on managing their part of the process.

Contact the Iranian Health Agency to discuss your international surrogacy coordination needs.

Conclusion

There is no universally best surrogacy agency in the world, and any guide that tells you otherwise is optimizing for clicks rather than your outcome. Which agency is right for surrogacy? This really depends on your situation with regard to your nationality, your budget, whether you are traveling as a family, whether you want a great deal of personal support, and the political context you are traveling from.

What the agencies in this guide share is a documented history of ethical practice, transparent structures, and genuine infrastructure for the families they serve. Use this guide to narrow your shortlist, then invest the time in direct consultations, reference checks, and legal review before you sign anything.

Surrogacy is probably the biggest decision that you are ever likely to make and deserves exactly the same serious scrutiny you would give to any other major medical decision. Use all relevant sources of help, ask a number of tough questions, and don’t let the time frame force you into a decision before you feel completely comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best surrogacy agency in the world?

There is no “one best” surrogacy agency; the best agency is different for every family, based on your country, budget, intended family, and types of support needed. To help you understand how to effectively compare agencies rather than rely solely on marketing statements, we reviewed them against six objective criteria.

How much do surrogacy agencies charge?

U.S. Surrogacy agency fees usually range from $20,000 – $35,000, excluding the surrogacy fees (often $30,000-$60,000), medical expenses, and legal expenses. Generally, journey costs range from $90,000 – $150,000 in total. Surrogacy agencies with clear, itemized fee schedules allow for much better budgeting.

Are international surrogacy agencies safe?

Safety hinges on the laws of the country where surrogacy occurs, how rigorously the agency screens surrogates, and what protections are in place for everyone involved. U.S. International surrogacy agencies follow established legal procedures; however, the legal protections afforded to you as an international intended parent may differ from state to state and agency to agency. Always choose an agency with defined protocols for international parentage.

How do I compare surrogacy agencies?

Refer back to the six criteria used for this guide: experience and reputation, international intended parent support, legal and financial protections, surrogate screening rigor, cost clarity, and outcomes reporting. You can begin your search with the comparison table in this guide and then schedule consultations with two or three agencies.

Can international intended parents work with U.S. agencies?

Yes, many U.S. agencies accept international intended parents. However, not all have the infrastructure to manage the additional complexity this involves. Agencies like Circle Surrogacy [2], Ivy Surrogacy [10], and American Surrogacy [8] have explicit international programs.

What should I ask before choosing an agency?

Ask: How many journeys have you completed with international parents from my country? How is surrogate compensation held? What happens if the surrogate withdraws? Can you provide references from international families? What is your average time from match to transfer? What legal support do you provide for establishing citizenship in my home country?