Have more questions about the process, timeline, or legal aspects?
We welcome all individuals and families—single parents, heterosexual couples, LGBTQ+ individuals and families, and people of all faiths or no religious affiliation.
While Surrogacy Pathway is rooted in the values of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, our services are open to anyone seeking to grow their family through surrogacy.
There are many reasons why intended parents turn to surrogacy to build their families, including infertility, medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe, LGBTQ+ family building, or personal or biological limitations. Surrogates make it possible for them to experience the joy of parenthood.
Surrogacy Pathway welcomes surrogates who meet the following criteria:
As a non-profit agency, our mission is rooted in service. This means we prioritize ethical matching and emotional support and focus on building families with compassion.
While we operate on a fee-for-service model like all agencies, our fees are structured to cover necessary costs—not profit—which allows us to focus on community building and upholding high ethical standards of care.
All journeys are unique, so timelines can vary, but most take between 15 and 24 months from application to birth. This includes screening, matching, legal agreements, embryo transfer, pregnancy, and delivery.
We take a thoughtful and personalized approach to matching. Our team considers the preferences, communication styles, and expectations of all parties involved in the journey.
Both surrogates and intended parents are provided with potential profiles for matching, and once a potential match is identified, we’ll arrange a virtual or in-person meeting to ensure mutual comfort and alignment before moving forward.
Surrogacy laws vary by state and country. Our team will provide both surrogates and intended parents with a list of qualified legal counsel in their area. Your legal team will draft the surrogacy agreement, establish parental rights, and ensure compliance with local laws.
Surrogacy Pathway is committed to legally sound, ethical practices in every case.
While costs vary, most surrogacy journeys range from $165,000 to $195,000. This
includes:
Visit our Intended Parents page for a detailed breakdown.
That’s up to you and your surrogate! Some matches lead to close, ongoing relationships; others maintain more formal boundaries. Our team will match intended parents with surrogates who have a similar preference for their relationship.
Our team, along with mental health professionals, helps set expectations and supports healthy communication throughout the journey.
We offer dedicated case managers, support groups, counseling referrals, and education and resources at every step. We understand the emotional intensity of fertility journeys and are here to ensure you feel informed and supported the whole way through.
You can start by completing our [Intended Parent Inquiry Form] to create your profile on our secure online platform. Once submitted, a member of our team will contact you to schedule a consultation and answer any questions you may have.
Traditionally, Jewish identity is passed down matrilineally—meaning a child is considered Jewish if born to a Jewish mother. When it comes to surrogacy, there are different opinions among rabbis on whether Jewish status is determined by the biological mother (where the egg came from), the surrogate, or if both are required to be Jewish. Because of these complexities, many Jewish intended parents who wish their child to be unequivocally recognized as Jewish choose to work with a Jewish surrogate. Others may choose to ensure that the egg comes from a Jewish woman if using an egg donor, or plan for a conversion after the birth of their baby.
Here at Surrogacy Pathway, we are deeply familiar with these nuances and are committed to helping you navigate them based on your specific religious beliefs, community expectations, and rabbinic guidance. We are happy to work with you and your Rabbi to ensure the surrogacy process aligns with your values and needs.
Whether you’re just starting to explore surrogacy or ready to take the first step, we’re here to help.
A gestational surrogate is a woman who carries a baby for intended parent(s) but is not genetically related to the child they are carrying. The embryo is created through IVF (in vitro fertilization) using the intended parents’ or donors’ egg and sperm, then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus using an embryo transfer procedure.
There are many reasons why intended parents turn to surrogacy to build their families, including infertility, medical conditions that make pregnancy unsafe, LGBTQ+ family building, or personal or biological limitations.
Surrogates make it possible for them to experience the joy of parenthood.
Surrogacy Pathway welcomes surrogates who meet the following criteria:
Our screening process is thorough, respectful, and designed to support a healthy and successful journey. It includes:
We will guide you through every step, answer all of your questions, and make sure you feel fully informed and supported.
Yes. While we are a nonprofit agency, surrogates receive ethical and transparent compensation for their time, effort, and risk. This includes:
We work with your legal team to ensure you never pay out-of-pocket. [Visit our compensation calculator here.]
Yes! At Surrogacy Pathway, we believe in mutual matching. This means that we only present surrogates with intended parent profiles that align with your values, expectations, communication styles, and needs. You’ll have the opportunity to review profiles and meet families before moving forward, to help ensure that your journey is a positive one.
That’s up to both you and the family you’re matched with. All intended parent- surrogate relationships are unique. Some relationships are close and ongoing, while others are more formal and focused.
Our mutual matching process helps ensure you’re paired with a family that shares your expectations for the relationship. We also provide support from mental health professionals to help set these goals and expectations, and to build healthy communication throughout the journey.
Surrogacy is medically safe when handled by trusted clinics and professionals. With Surrogacy Pathway, you’ll receive top-quality medical care, legal protections, emotional support, and continuous monitoring before, during and after pregnancy.
You’ll also be covered by medical and life insurance. You’re never alone—our team is with you every step of the way.
From initial application to delivery, the process usually takes 15–24 months. This includes application, screening, matching, legal contracts, embryo transfer, pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum support. We move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, ensuring you feel well-informed and supported.
If you already have insurance, our team will review your policy to see if it covers surrogacy. If not, the intended parents will provide a surrogacy-specific policy at no cost to you. You’ll never be financially responsible for medical bills related to your surrogacy.
You’ll have your own independent attorney (paid for by the intended parents) who specializes in reproductive law and surrogacy in your state. A legal contract will be drafted by the intended parents’ lawyer which will clearly outline your rights and responsibilities, compensation, medical and delivery plans, parental rights of the intended parents, and travel arrangements. Your attorney will review the contract with you and request any changes. Nothing moves forward without full legal agreement and your full consent.
Here at Surrogacy Pathway, our mission is to support you throughout your journey with a highly ethical standard of care. We offer one-on-one case management, emotional and psychological support, educational resources and counseling referrals, and access to your coordinator at all times. Your health, safety and well- being always come first.
You can start by completing our online prescreen application. From there, you will be directed to our full application. Once submitted, we’ll schedule a friendly, no- pressure call to answer your questions and explore whether we’re a good fit. You’re also welcome to contact us with questions before applying.
If you’re ready to help create a family—and start your own remarkable journey—fill out an application to start the conversation with us.
2025 Jewish Family and Children’s Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN: 94-1156528. All donations are tax deductible.
