Recommended Questions to Ask Your Agency

  1. Please describe the screening process that this agency follows for Gestational Carriers (GCs)?

    • Who are the Psychologists?

    • Who are the Social Workers?

    • What results will I have access to?

    • Will I be able to speak directly to the Psychologists and Social Workers?

    • Who ensures Medical Records are sent to the clinic?

    • How long has this GC been in your “pool of potential surrogates”?  

    • What questions do you ask your GC prior to her being accepted into the agency?

      1. Does the GC have uncomplicated, easy pregnancies?

      2. Does the GC have support to have a surrogacy pregnancy from her spouse/partner?

      3. Does the GC have support to have a surrogacy pregnancy from her family and friends (including children)?

      4. Does the GC have support to have a surrogacy pregnancy from her place of employment (if applicable)?

      5. Why does this GC want to become a surrogate?

    • What support does the agency provide the GC?

  2. What support does the agency provide to IPs?

  3. Who are my contacts in the agency and what are their roles and responsibilities?

    • What are the times and availabilities of these contact people?  (How and when am I able to get in contact with them?)  Preference is to be able to access them 24/7 during the journey

  4. What are the various cost buckets for Intended Parents (IPs)?

    • What is the total average cost of a journey with your agency?

  5. What are some pitfalls/challenges/barriers for IPs?

    • What are some of the worst case scenarios?

    • How do you suggest/recommend IPs avoid the pitfalls/barriers based on your experience in the industry?

  6. Will you (the agency) be presenting us with multiple Gestational Carrier candidates for potential match?

    • What are your suggested criteria for a good match?

  7. What are the clinics, attorneys and escrow agencies that you recommend suggest? [Please note that this is an important question.  I strongly encourage any IP to research Clinics, Attorneys and Escrow Agencies and choose – based on your own data – Attorneys and Escrow agencies at a minimum].  Clinic information is available on sart.org. 

  8. Tell me about a time when the relationship between a GC and IP was not positive/encountered a significant barrier or hurdle.  

    • How did you resolve this barrier?

    • What was the agency’s role in enabling a productive and positive path forward?

    • What were the factors that drove this issue?

  9. Tell me about a time when the relationship between the Agency and the IP was not positive/encountered a significant barrier or hurdle.

    • How did you resolve the issue and repair the relationship?

    • What was the agency’s role in enabling a productive and positive path forward?

    • What were the factors that drove this issue?  Have they been eliminated?

    • What are some of the lessons learned in your experience in this industry?

  10. Are you willing to accept payment (agency fee) after the GC has been medically & psychologically cleared & approved by the appropriate medical personnel?  

  11. Are you willing to accept signed contracts after the GC has been medically & psychologically cleared & approved?