Choosing an agency is one of the biggest decisions in your journey, and it is hard to know what to ask when you are new to this. Here are the questions I would want answered if I were in your shoes. I answer every one of them for families who talk to me, so do not be shy about asking us too.
About money
1. What exactly is included in your fee, and what is not? Get it in writing. Some fees look lower because services are unbundled.
2. How is the fee paid? We charge in three equal stages (intake and profile, active matching, after match). Be cautious of anyone asking for the full amount upfront.
3. What is your refund policy? Ask for it in writing. Ours is published: 85% back in Phase 1, a free pause, and a sliding scale during matching.
4. What other costs should I plan for? Surrogate reimbursements, legal fees, clinic costs and insurance are separate from the agency fee, so ask for a full budget estimate.
About matching
5. How do you find and screen surrogates? Ask about medical review, psychological evaluation, background checks and home assessment.
6. How long does matching usually take? Ask for realistic ranges, not the best case. In Canada, 3 to 12 months is common.
7. Do I get a say in the match? A match must be mutual. You should be able to meet, ask questions and say no.
8. What happens if a match falls through? Ask whether you move to the front of the line or start again.
About support
9. Who will I speak to day to day? Ask for names and what their role is.
10. How do you support the surrogate? Her wellbeing is part of yours. Ask what counselling and check-ins she receives.
11. How do you handle conflict between parties? A good agency has a neutral process.
12. What happens if a transfer fails or a pregnancy is lost? You want an agency that has an honest, caring answer to this.
About the agency itself
13. How long have you been operating, and how many journeys have you completed? Experience matters, especially when something unexpected happens.
14. Can I speak to past clients? References and stories matter.
15. What does a bad day look like here, and how do you handle it? The way an agency talks about difficulty tells you a lot.
A red flag list
- Pressure to pay everything upfront
- Vague answers about what is included
- No written refund policy
- Guarantees of timelines or outcomes
- Reluctance to let you speak to your own lawyer
Our promise
At CSO, my mom founded this agency in 1992, and I have been part of this field since I was 4 years old. I will always give you honest answers, even when they are not the easy ones.
Related reading: How to Choose a Surrogacy Agency and How to Choose the Best Surrogacy Agency in Canada
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 and bring this list with you.
From hope to heartbeat to home.