How to choose a surrogacy agency – 4 non-negotiables to check off your list

1. Trust track record, not just testimonials

Testimonials can be really helpful, but they often won’t tell the whole story. Licensing, protocols and track record are all really important.

As a fully licensed agency, ACRC Global must follow strict regulations and thorough screening protocols to ensure all parties’ safety and eligibility. In short, they know a thing or two about what excellence looks like here.

Check an agency’s track record by asking:

• What licensing and accreditations does it have?
• Do they have high ethical standards, shown through compliance with state and international laws and guidelines?
• Do they have their own donor database?
• How long have they been around? 
• Do they work with reputable fertility clinics?
• Are they transparent around their costs and processes?
• How many families have they worked with, and have they offered comprehensive support for those in different countries, or with more complex cases?

The best agencies will be upfront about results, explain how they measure success, and connect you with people who’ve been through the process before.

Proper licensing and accreditations paired with real stories and a proven history will carry far more weight than a few polished quotes on a website.

2. Find legal clarity

When it comes to how to choose a surrogacy agency, you’ll probably find out pretty early on that the legal elements can be tricky. And if you’re looking at a journey across borders, as so many do, it’s even more important to have crystal-clear clarity on what to expect, as well as how to prep. 

The best agency for you will make sure you know exactly what the legal process looks like from start to finish: careful surrogate screening, contracts, parentage rights, birth certificates, and what happens if different countries are involved.

Ask who they work with on the legal side and whether they’ve handled international cases before. 

Other things to consider when hitting go on a surrogacy journey include total costs, as well as timing considerations. Normally, a surrogacy journey takes about 18 months to complete, which is something that ACRC Global are really upfront about from the get-go.

Basically, rather than just handing you a stack of documents, a reliable agency will guide you through what every step means, so you and your surrogate feel protected.

3. Make sure they offer more than just a match

Matching intended parents and surrogates is a big milestone, but the top rated surrogacy agencies​ that really stand out are the ones that ensure matches are truly personalized, with an emphasis on shared values and a really clear, open dialogue throughout.

Some key questions to ask might include:

• How do you ensure the surrogate’s values and personality align with ours?
• What kind of screening and support do you provide for surrogates?
• How is communication managed throughout the journey?
• How do you handle situations when expectations might differ?

They make sure you’re supported through the logistics and planning, so you’re not left juggling everything once the introductions are made.