Hope Harbor Surrogacy was founded in 2013 by women who believed that every person who dreams of becoming a parent deserves a clear, compassionate, and fully supported path to get there. Over 12 years later, that belief drives every decision we make, every match we create, and every family we help bring to life.
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850+ Babies Born
38+ States Served
LGBTQIA+ Affirming
BBB A+ Rated
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850+
Babies Born
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750+
Families Created
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38+
States Supported
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12+
Years in Practice
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4.9
Client Rating
Hope Harbor Surrogacy was founded in 2013 by a group of women who had lived through the surrogacy experience firsthand — as surrogates, as intended parents, and as advocates for families who felt let down by a system that wasn’t built with them in mind. They knew the industry could do better. So they built something better.
What started as a small, purpose-driven agency has grown over the past 12+ years into one of the most trusted independent surrogacy agencies in the United States. We now serve intended parents and gestational carriers across 38+ states, working with some of the most respected reproductive attorneys, fertility clinics, and mental health specialists in the country.
“Our founders have personally been in the exam rooms, read the contracts, navigated the legal systems, and celebrated the first cries of babies they thought would never be possible. That lived experience is not a marketing line. It is the reason we do everything differently.”
We are a woman-led, independently owned agency — and we intend to stay that way. We have never been acquired by a larger corporation or investor group, because we believe that surrogacy is too intimate, too important, and too human to be managed by people who see it as a financial product.
Our team includes former surrogates, former intended parents, licensed social workers, legal specialists, and medical coordinators. Every person on our staff was chosen not only for their credentials but for their capacity for genuine compassion.
We are proudly LGBTQIA+ affirming and serve single parents, same-sex couples, opposite-sex couples, transgender and non-binary individuals, and anyone who dreams of building a family. Love is what makes a family. We help make it real.
These are not corporate slogans. These are the convictions that determine how we answer the phone, how we structure our contracts, and how we show up for every person who trusts us with their most important journey.
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To guide intended parents and gestational carriers through every stage of the surrogacy journey with unmatched personal support, full financial transparency, and deeply compassionate care. We serve all family types — regardless of sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, age, or gender identity. Our mission is to make the dream of parenthood attainable, ethical, and joyful for every person we work with.
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A world where anyone who wants to build a family has a safe, supported, and dignified path to do so. We envision a surrogacy industry where agencies lead with empathy, surrogates are celebrated as the extraordinary individuals they are, and intended parents never feel alone in the process. Hope Harbor exists to be the gold standard for what ethical, heart-led surrogacy looks like in practice.
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We will always be honest with you — about timelines, costs, challenges, and expectations. We will always have someone available when you need us, not just during business hours. We will never prioritize our fees over your wellbeing. We will match you thoughtfully, not quickly. And we will stay with you from your very first phone call all the way through to the moment you hold your child — and beyond.
Surrogacy involves more moving parts than most people realize — medical, legal, psychological, financial, and deeply personal. At Hope Harbor, we coordinate all of it so that you can focus on what matters most.
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We work with leading reproductive endocrinologists and fertility clinics across 38+ states. We manage your IVF scheduling, embryo transfer coordination, and ongoing medical milestone tracking throughout the entire pregnancy.
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Our network of experienced reproductive attorneys handles all pre-birth orders, surrogacy contracts, and parental rights filings. We navigate the legal landscape in your state and protect both the surrogate and intended parents at every step.
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Every surrogate completes comprehensive psychological screening before being matched. We also connect both parties with licensed mental health counselors experienced in third-party reproduction throughout and after the journey.
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We work with independent escrow managers to ensure surrogate compensation is disbursed correctly and on schedule — no delays, no confusion. Intended parents receive monthly statements so every dollar is accounted for with complete clarity.
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We do not rush our matching process. We take time to understand the values, preferences, communication styles, and family goals of both parties before proposing a match — because the relationship between a surrogate and intended parents matters deeply.
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Every surrogate in our program undergoes thorough background checks, medical records review, home environment assessments, insurance review, and psychological evaluation — ensuring only the most qualified and committed women carry for our families.
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Our team includes dedicated LGBTQIA+ family coordinators who provide affirming, knowledgeable support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and non-binary intended parents navigating surrogacy and donor egg or sperm options.
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Surrogacy does not follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Your dedicated coordinator is available around the clock. Whether it is a medical concern at midnight or emotional reassurance on a Sunday morning, we are here.
Every year at Hope Harbor has brought new families, new lessons, and a deeper commitment to doing this work the right way. Here are the milestones that define who we are today.
2013
Our founders opened Hope Harbor with a simple belief: families of all kinds deserve access to compassionate, honest, woman-led surrogacy support.
2014
We completed our first successful surrogate-intended parent matches and welcomed our first babies, setting the tone for the quality of care we would bring to every future journey.
2016
We celebrated a landmark — 100 babies born through Hope Harbor — and expanded our coordination team to serve an increasing number of families nationwide.
2017
We formally launched our dedicated LGBTQIA+ family-building program, adding specialized coordinators and expanding our affirming, inclusive services.
2019
Our legal and medical partner network grew to cover 38+ states, allowing us to serve families and surrogates wherever they are in the United States.
2021
Hope Harbor was formally recognized by the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy, one of the most respected ethics certifications in the industry.
2022
We welcomed our 500th family into the Hope Harbor community. Every surrogate who gave that gift received a personal thank-you from our founding team.
2025
Today, Hope Harbor is one of the most trusted independent surrogacy agencies in the United States with over 850 successful births and a 4.9-star client rating.
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Our leadership team includes former surrogates and intended parents. We have personal insight into what the journey feels like from both sides, which means our support is never clinical — it is deeply human.
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You will never be handed off to a rotating team or a call center. You will speak to the same coordinator throughout your journey — someone who knows your name, your story, and your goals.
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We publish our fees transparently and walk you through every item in your budget before you sign anything. There are no surprise charges, no vague line items, and no pressure to upgrade services.
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Our team is reachable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pregnancies do not follow business hours, and neither do we. You will always have a real person to reach when it matters most.
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We maintain relationships with board-certified reproductive attorneys in 38+ states who specialize in pre-birth orders, parental rights filings, and surrogacy contract law.
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With 850+ successful births and a 4.9-star average client rating, our record speaks for itself. We are happy to connect any prospective client with former clients who can speak directly to their experience with us.
Not all surrogacy agencies operate the same way. Here is an honest look at what sets Hope Harbor apart from the typical agency experience.
| Feature | Hope Harbor Surrogacy | Typical Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated single coordinator throughout the journey | ✔ Yes, same person from day one | ✘ Often rotating staff |
| Fully transparent fee structure | ✔ All fees listed upfront, no surprises | ✘ Hidden costs common |
| 24/7 coordinator availability | ✔ Day, night, weekends | ✘ Business hours only |
| LGBTQIA+ dedicated program | ✔ Specialized coordinators | ✘ Usually general intake only |
| Woman-led with personal surrogacy experience | ✔ Founders are former surrogates/IPs | ✘ Typically corporate-run |
| Independent escrow management | ✔ Third-party escrow, monthly statements | ✘ Often agency-controlled |
| Referrals to former clients on request | ✔ Always available upon request | ✘ Rarely offered |
| Post-birth support and follow-up | ✔ Extended care after delivery | ✘ Support typically ends at birth |
These principles shape every decision we make — from how we screen surrogates to how we write contracts to how we answer the phone at 2 a.m.
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Every interaction begins with empathy. We understand the emotional weight of this journey and honor it in everything we do.
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No grey areas. No fine print surprises. Every fee, every timeline, and every expectation is communicated clearly and honestly from day one.
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We honor the courage it takes to be a surrogate and the vulnerability it takes to trust an agency with your dream of parenthood. Both deserve profound respect.
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Families come in every form. We serve and celebrate LGBTQIA+ families, single parents, and all people regardless of background, identity, or belief.
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We will never recommend a path that benefits our fees over your wellbeing. Our loyalty is always to the families and surrogates we serve — full stop.
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We ensure every person we work with fully understands their options, rights, and protections. An informed client is a confident, empowered one.
Our coordinators, advocates, legal specialists, and medical liaisons were not just hired — they were chosen because of who they are as people. Many have personal ties to surrogacy. All of them are here because this work genuinely matters to them.
Founder & Executive Director
Sarah founded Hope Harbor after her own surrogacy experience revealed how much better the process could be. With 15+ years in reproductive advocacy, she sets the standard for everything we do. She personally reviews every match before it is proposed.
🌸 Founder
Medical Liaison Director
Amanda coordinates with IVF clinics, OBs, and fertility specialists across all 38+ states we serve. She ensures that every medical milestone — from embryo transfer to delivery — is managed with clinical precision and deep personal care.
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Surrogate Relations Manager
A two-time gestational carrier herself, Jenna brings lived experience to every surrogate she supports. She is the warm, steady voice that many of our surrogates describe as their most important support throughout the journey.
💛 Surrogate Advocate
LGBTQIA+ Family Coordinator
Marcus leads our LGBTQIA+ program with expertise, pride, and lived experience as a same-sex intended parent. He specializes in helping gay, lesbian, and queer families understand every option available to them and feel genuinely seen throughout the process.
🏳️🌈 Inclusive Families
Legal Coordination Specialist
Priya works alongside our network of reproductive attorneys to ensure every pre-birth order, surrogacy contract, and parental rights filing is completed accurately, on time, and fully protective of all parties involved.
⚖️ Legal
Intended Parent Coordinator
Lisa is often the first voice intended parents hear at Hope Harbor. She specializes in making the overwhelming feel manageable — turning complex questions into clear answers and walking every new family through their first steps with patience and warmth.
🏡 Families First
We are proud of the work we do, but the most meaningful words about Hope Harbor come from the people who have lived it.
As a same-sex couple, we had real concerns about whether we would feel welcomed or truly understood. From the first call with Marcus, every concern disappeared. The team felt like they were built for us. We have a beautiful daughter today because of Hope Harbor — and we will be forever grateful.
David & James L.
Intended Parents · Seattle, WA
I have now carried for two families through Hope Harbor. Both times, Jenna and the team made me feel like a celebrated member of the family, not just a carrier. The compensation was fair, every check was on time, and I always had someone to talk to. I would do it again without hesitation.
Megan T.
Two-Time Gestational Carrier · Austin, TX
After years of failed IVF and a terrible experience with a previous agency, we almost gave up. Choosing Hope Harbor was the best decision we ever made. The team was honest with us when things were hard and celebrated with us when things went right. We now have a son who changed our world.
Nina & Robert K.
Intended Parents · Chicago, IL
Gestational surrogacy is the most common form of surrogacy practiced in the United States today. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate — also called a gestational carrier — carries a pregnancy created using an embryo formed from the intended parent’s egg and sperm, or donor egg and/or donor sperm. The gestational carrier has no genetic connection to the child.
This is different from traditional surrogacy, in which the surrogate’s own egg is used. Hope Harbor works exclusively with gestational surrogacy, as it provides the clearest legal protections for both intended parents and carriers.
Gestational surrogacy may be the right path for you if you are experiencing infertility or medical conditions that prevent a safe pregnancy, are a single parent, or are part of a same-sex couple. It is a deeply fulfilling journey for thousands of families every year, and one we are honored to help guide.
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Couples With Medical Conditions
Women who cannot carry a pregnancy due to uterine conditions, repeated pregnancy loss, or other medical diagnoses.
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Same-Sex Male Couples
Gay male couples who wish to have a biological connection to their child through a gestational carrier and egg donor.
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Single Individuals
Single men or women who wish to become parents through surrogacy, with or without use of a donor egg or sperm.
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Families Who Have Tried Everything
Intended parents who have gone through multiple rounds of IVF, miscarriage, or other fertility treatments and are ready to explore surrogacy as the next step.
Surrogacy raises a lot of questions. Here are the ones we answer most often. We encourage every person considering this path to read through these and then call us directly so we can address your specific situation.
View All FAQs
The average gestational surrogacy journey takes 18 to 24 months from the time you begin working with an agency to the birth of your child. This includes surrogate matching (typically 2 to 4 months), legal contracts, medical clearances, the IVF embryo transfer, and the pregnancy itself. Timelines can vary depending on how quickly a match is found and the specific fertility clinic’s scheduling.
Total surrogacy costs in the United States typically range from $90,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on surrogate compensation, medical expenses, legal fees, and insurance costs. At Hope Harbor, we provide a detailed, itemized budget estimate before you commit to anything — no surprises, no hidden fees. We also work with several financing partners to help make this journey more accessible.
To become a gestational carrier with Hope Harbor, candidates must generally be between 21 and 40 years old, have previously given birth to at least one child of their own, be in excellent physical and mental health, have a stable home environment, be a non-smoker and live in a drug-free household, and be willing to undergo comprehensive medical and psychological screening. Full requirements are detailed on our Become a Surrogate page.
Absolutely and wholeheartedly yes. Hope Harbor has a dedicated LGBTQIA+ family-building program with specialized coordinators who understand the unique legal, medical, and emotional considerations for same-sex couples, transgender and non-binary individuals, and queer families. We do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status — ever.
Every surrogate in our program is required to have health insurance that covers surrogate pregnancies, and we assist in reviewing and supplementing coverage as needed. In the event of a medical complication, our medical liaison team coordinates immediately with the attending physicians and clinic. Our legal contracts also outline clearly how medical decisions are made and who is responsible for related costs. The surrogate’s health and wellbeing is always our first priority.
Hope Harbor operates at the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry. Our certifications, memberships, and accreditations reflect that commitment.
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Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy — the industry’s gold standard for ethical practice and client protection.
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National Infertility Association partner agency, advocating for accessible and ethical paths to parenthood for all.
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Better Business Bureau A+ rating — reflecting our transparent business practices, ethical conduct, and client satisfaction.
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Formally recognized for our inclusive programming, dedicated coordinators, and affirming support for all family types.
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Affiliated with board-certified reproductive attorneys specializing in ART law across 38+ states for comprehensive legal coverage.
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All medical, personal, and financial data is handled under federal HIPAA privacy protections throughout your journey.
We encourage every intended parent and prospective surrogate to research beyond any single agency. These respected organizations offer independent, authoritative information on surrogacy, infertility, and ethical third-party reproduction.
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The leading multidisciplinary organization for reproductive medicine professionals, offering patient education on fertility treatment, IVF, and third-party reproduction.
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A nonprofit organization providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families navigating infertility and family-building options including surrogacy.
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An organization dedicated to establishing and upholding ethical standards across the egg donation and gestational surrogacy industry.
Whether you are dreaming of becoming a parent or you feel called to carry a child for another family, we would love to hear from you. Your first conversation with our team is always free, always confidential, and always with a real person who genuinely cares about your outcome.
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