If you are looking at donor eggs, the first question is almost always the same: "What is this going to cost me?" Let me give you a straight answer, and explain why the number is not what you might expect.
Why you cannot "buy" eggs in Canada
In Canada, paying a donor for her eggs is illegal. Donors are reimbursed for documented, donation-related expenses, not paid a fee. That is very different from the US, where compensation is permitted, so please do not compare Canadian prices with American ones. They are built on different rules.
Two separate bills
Your total egg donation cost has two parts:
- The matching and donor side (agency, donor expenses, legal and counselling)
- The clinic side (IVF cycle, medications and embryo transfer)
They are billed separately, and your clinic will quote its own fees.
The matching and donor side (Little Miracles estimates)
| Item | Estimated cost | |---|---| | Agency fee (non-refundable, + HST) | $2,750 to $3,500 | | Donor expenses (reimbursements) | $5,500 to $8,000 | | Ovum agreement | $1,350 to $1,550 | | Donor independent legal advice | $550 | | Psychological evaluations | About $400 each | | Estimated total for this part | $16,450 to $20,400 |
Costs are typically higher if the donor is not local, because of travel and accommodation.
What each line is
- Agency fee: matching, donor screening coordination and case support. It is non-refundable.
- Donor expenses: documented, receipted costs related to her donation, such as travel, time off work in certain cases, and medications she is not otherwise covered for.
- Ovum agreement: the legal document between you and the donor, drafted by a lawyer.
- Donor ILA: the donor's own independent lawyer, so she is not relying on yours.
- Psychological evaluations: counselling for the donor, and in many cases for recipients as well.
The clinic side
Your fertility clinic will charge for the IVF cycle, monitoring, medications, fertilization, embryo culture and transfer. These fees vary widely by clinic and by what you need. Ask for a written quote that lists everything, and ask what happens if you need a second cycle.
What might add to the cost
- A non-local donor
- Additional embryo transfers
- Extra testing or counselling
- Lawyer fees on your side
Is it worth it?
Only you can say. What I can say is that I have seen what a donor gift means to a family, and I have also seen how important it is to go in with a clear budget. I would much rather you know every number now than be surprised later.
Planning for surrogacy as well?
If you will also need a surrogate, we can plan both together. CSO programs start from $1,500 (Independent Journey), $9,500 (Foundation), $19,500 (Guided Journey) and $29,500 (Priority Match) CAD plus HST, paid in three equal stages.
Want a number for your own family? Try our surrogacy cost calculator for an honest estimate in a couple of minutes.
Book a free consultation at calendly.com/cso-robyn
From hope to heartbeat to home.