frequently asked questions
general FAQs
Why New Hampshire?
The surrogacy law in NH was revised substantially in 2014 to be more friendly to gestational surrogacy, while also providing necessary protections to intended parents and surrogates. The new law allows for the gestational surrogate and intended parent to enter into a contract for surrogacy, allows for payment to the surrogate, and allows the intended parents’ names to be on the child’s birth certificate.
How long does the process take?
This answer is unique to each case. Typically the surrogacy process takes about a year from the time the parties are matched. The time before the match depends on the requirements the intended parents are looking for in a surrogate and the availability of surrogates.
What is the difference between traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy? Will the surrogate be genetically related to the child?
There are two types of surrogacy arrangements: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is inseminated with the intended father’s sperm and their own egg is fertilized, hopefully resulting in a pregnancy. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is strictly the carrier and has no genetic connection to the child. A gestational surrogate is implanted with a fertilized embryo using the intended mother’s or a donor’s egg and the intended father’s or donor’s sperm. Avenues to Surrogacy only offers gestational surrogacy.
How are the surrogates and intended parents matched?
Surrogates and intended parents are matched based on a variety of factors, most importantly the preferences of both the intended parents and the surrogates. An Avenues to Surrogacy team member will review the preferences of both parties and, if a potential match may be made, a redacted profile (without any identifying information) of the gestational surrogate is sent to the intended parents. If they express interest, the intended parents’ redacted profile is sent to the surrogate. Once the surrogate and intended parents both express interest we schedule a time for the parties to talk either in person, via conference call or Skype video conference so that they can begin to get to know one another.
The surrogacy law in NH was revised substantially in 2014 to be more friendly to gestational surrogacy, while also providing necessary protections to intended parents and surrogates. The new law allows for the gestational surrogate and intended parent to enter into a contract for surrogacy, allows for payment to the surrogate, and allows the intended parents’ names to be on the child’s birth certificate.
How long does the process take?
This answer is unique to each case. Typically the surrogacy process takes about a year from the time the parties are matched. The time before the match depends on the requirements the intended parents are looking for in a surrogate and the availability of surrogates.
What is the difference between traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy? Will the surrogate be genetically related to the child?
There are two types of surrogacy arrangements: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is inseminated with the intended father’s sperm and their own egg is fertilized, hopefully resulting in a pregnancy. With gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is strictly the carrier and has no genetic connection to the child. A gestational surrogate is implanted with a fertilized embryo using the intended mother’s or a donor’s egg and the intended father’s or donor’s sperm. Avenues to Surrogacy only offers gestational surrogacy.
How are the surrogates and intended parents matched?
Surrogates and intended parents are matched based on a variety of factors, most importantly the preferences of both the intended parents and the surrogates. An Avenues to Surrogacy team member will review the preferences of both parties and, if a potential match may be made, a redacted profile (without any identifying information) of the gestational surrogate is sent to the intended parents. If they express interest, the intended parents’ redacted profile is sent to the surrogate. Once the surrogate and intended parents both express interest we schedule a time for the parties to talk either in person, via conference call or Skype video conference so that they can begin to get to know one another.
FAQs: Intended parents
Do you help with same-sex couples or single individuals wishing to start a family?
YES! Avenues to Surrogacy welcomes all individuals or couples looking to grow their family through surrogacy, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.
Are the surrogates screened? How do I know they are healthy?
Gestational surrogate candidates first complete a questionnaire giving us general background information, including information about their health history. After reviewing the questionnaire, a member of the Avenues to Surrogacy team will interview the gestational surrogate candidate to ensure they understand the surrogacy process and are willing to commit. We also request copies of their medical records, including prior labor and delivery records, and a letter from their obstetrician certifying that the potential surrogate can become pregnant again without risk. Surrogate candidates would also submit to a medical evaluation by the IVF clinic as well as participate in a mental health consultation with a licensed clinical social worker. We also perform criminal background checks and child abuse registry checks on the potential surrogate and all other adults living in their home.
How much does it cost?
There are many variables in a surrogacy arrangement that determine the overall cost, and are generally paid for by the intended parents. We will go into more detail with you in our initial conversations. In general, expenses include: fertility medications, embryo transfer procedures, prenatal care, legal expenses, agency support, insurance, and payment to the surrogate. All funds are collected by the agency and placed into an escrow account. The funds are released as designated in the agreed upon surrogacy contract.
What is the first step? How do I get started?
The first step is to call the Avenues to Surrogacy team at 603-228-6712 or email us at info@avenuestosurrogacy.com to schedule an initial conversation. During the conversation, we will walk you through the process and answer your questions.
YES! Avenues to Surrogacy welcomes all individuals or couples looking to grow their family through surrogacy, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.
Are the surrogates screened? How do I know they are healthy?
Gestational surrogate candidates first complete a questionnaire giving us general background information, including information about their health history. After reviewing the questionnaire, a member of the Avenues to Surrogacy team will interview the gestational surrogate candidate to ensure they understand the surrogacy process and are willing to commit. We also request copies of their medical records, including prior labor and delivery records, and a letter from their obstetrician certifying that the potential surrogate can become pregnant again without risk. Surrogate candidates would also submit to a medical evaluation by the IVF clinic as well as participate in a mental health consultation with a licensed clinical social worker. We also perform criminal background checks and child abuse registry checks on the potential surrogate and all other adults living in their home.
How much does it cost?
There are many variables in a surrogacy arrangement that determine the overall cost, and are generally paid for by the intended parents. We will go into more detail with you in our initial conversations. In general, expenses include: fertility medications, embryo transfer procedures, prenatal care, legal expenses, agency support, insurance, and payment to the surrogate. All funds are collected by the agency and placed into an escrow account. The funds are released as designated in the agreed upon surrogacy contract.
What is the first step? How do I get started?
The first step is to call the Avenues to Surrogacy team at 603-228-6712 or email us at info@avenuestosurrogacy.com to schedule an initial conversation. During the conversation, we will walk you through the process and answer your questions.
FAQ's: gestational surrogates
What are the requirements for becoming a surrogate?
New Hampshire law states that you must be at least 21 years old, have given birth to at least one child, and must be willing to complete medical and mental health evaluations. Most fertility clinics, however, are more particular when determining if a woman is an acceptable candidate for a surrogate pregnancy. Generally, Avenues to Surrogacy looks for surrogates who are under the age of 40, have had 1- 3 uncomplicated pregnancies, have a proportionate height/weight ratio, maintain a healthy lifestyle free from smoking, drugs, or alcohol abuse and have a strong support system.
Will I be legally or financially responsible for the child?
No. You and the intended parents will enter into a legal contract that will govern each party’s legal rights and responsibilities. The contract will state that the intended parents shall be the legal parents of any child carried by you as a gestational surrogate. You will also receive independent legal advice from an attorney, at no cost to you. Your attorney will review the agreement with you to ensure that you are comfortable with all of the legal issues. Additionally, the intended parents’ status as the child’s legal parents will be clarified through a pre-birth order.
How much will I be compensated for being a gestational surrogate? Will my expenses be covered?
For your time and effort, the fees run between $30,000 to $60,000. Total compensation can be more, based on a variety of factors. Details are provided in your Avenues to Surrogacy consultation. In addition, you will not be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses related to your surrogate pregnancy. All funds are collected by the agency and placed into an escrow account. The funds are released as designated in the surrogacy agreement.
Do I use my own insurance?
If you have your own insurance, we will review it to determine if it covers surrogate pregnancies. If your policy has an exclusion for surrogacy we will help you apply for a surrogate maternity policy to cover prenatal care and delivery. This policy will be paid for by the intended parents.
What is the first step? How do I get started?
The first step is to call the Avenues to Surrogacy team at 603-228-6712 or email us at info@avenuestosurrogacy.com to schedule an initial conversation. During the conversation, we will walk you through the process and answer your questions.
New Hampshire law states that you must be at least 21 years old, have given birth to at least one child, and must be willing to complete medical and mental health evaluations. Most fertility clinics, however, are more particular when determining if a woman is an acceptable candidate for a surrogate pregnancy. Generally, Avenues to Surrogacy looks for surrogates who are under the age of 40, have had 1- 3 uncomplicated pregnancies, have a proportionate height/weight ratio, maintain a healthy lifestyle free from smoking, drugs, or alcohol abuse and have a strong support system.
Will I be legally or financially responsible for the child?
No. You and the intended parents will enter into a legal contract that will govern each party’s legal rights and responsibilities. The contract will state that the intended parents shall be the legal parents of any child carried by you as a gestational surrogate. You will also receive independent legal advice from an attorney, at no cost to you. Your attorney will review the agreement with you to ensure that you are comfortable with all of the legal issues. Additionally, the intended parents’ status as the child’s legal parents will be clarified through a pre-birth order.
How much will I be compensated for being a gestational surrogate? Will my expenses be covered?
For your time and effort, the fees run between $30,000 to $60,000. Total compensation can be more, based on a variety of factors. Details are provided in your Avenues to Surrogacy consultation. In addition, you will not be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses related to your surrogate pregnancy. All funds are collected by the agency and placed into an escrow account. The funds are released as designated in the surrogacy agreement.
Do I use my own insurance?
If you have your own insurance, we will review it to determine if it covers surrogate pregnancies. If your policy has an exclusion for surrogacy we will help you apply for a surrogate maternity policy to cover prenatal care and delivery. This policy will be paid for by the intended parents.
What is the first step? How do I get started?
The first step is to call the Avenues to Surrogacy team at 603-228-6712 or email us at info@avenuestosurrogacy.com to schedule an initial conversation. During the conversation, we will walk you through the process and answer your questions.