Surrogacy offers an incredible opportunity for individuals and couples to build families through a collaborative and rewarding process. Illinois is known for its surrogacy-friendly laws, making it a popular destination for intended parents (IPs) and surrogates alike. Whether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy or are ready to take the next step, understanding how the process works in Illinois is key.
At Fertility Source Companies, we’re proud to connect intended parents and prospective surrogates through our exclusive surrogate database and personalized matching program. With extensive experience assisting individuals throughout Illinois – spanning Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, and beyond – we are here to guide you every step of the way on this life-changing journey.
How do I become a surrogate in Illinois?
Becoming a surrogate in Illinois is a deeply rewarding experience that allows you to help intended parents build their families while enjoying benefits like generous compensation and emotional fulfillment. Surrogates must meet certain qualifications, including:
Being 21–43 years old
Having at least one healthy pregnancy
Maintaining excellent physical and mental health
These requirements help ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone involved.
The journey to becoming a surrogate begins with these key steps:
Submit an application that includes your personal and medical history.
Complete screenings, including physical and mental health evaluations.
Match with intended parents through a personalized process.
Review and sign a legal agreement with the help of an attorney.
With guidance from Fertility Source Companies, you’ll have the support and resources needed to take these first steps and embark on a life-changing journey. Learn more about becoming a surrogate.
Surrogate Pay and Compensation in Illinois
Surrogate pay in Illinois is approximately $65,000 for the base pay, which compensates surrogates for their time and effort, and helps cover living expenses. Once the baby’s fetal heart rate is noted, compensation will begin, dispersed in monthly installment payments. In addition to the base pay, other expenses are covered, such as medical expenses, maternity clothes, travel expenses, and other out-of-pocket costs. Find out more about surrogate pay and compensation.
Finding the right gestational surrogate is one of the most important steps in your surrogacy journey, and Fertility Source Companies is here to guide you every step of the way. From understanding your family-building goals to matching you with a qualified surrogate who aligns with your priorities, our expert team ensures a seamless and supportive experience.
How Surrogates Are Screened in Illinois At Fertility Source Companies, we conduct thorough screenings to ensure every surrogate meets the highest standards for physical, mental, and emotional readiness. Our screening process includes:
A thorough medical history review performed by an on-staff registered nurse
Psychological and medical evaluations
Criminal background checks
A commitment assessment
How Matching Works Once surrogates pass the rigorous screening process, our team works closely with you to find the best match. We prioritize your preferences and goals, considering factors such as shared values, location, and communication style. Intended parents have the opportunity to review detailed profiles of potential surrogates and meet with candidates to ensure mutual compatibility.
Our personalized approach ensures that your match is more than a practical arrangement – it’s the foundation for a successful surrogacy journey and a meaningful connection with your surrogate.
Surrogate Costs in Illinois
The cost of hiring a gestational surrogate in Illinois is between $110,000 and $135,000. This includes the Fertility Source Companies surrogacy agency fee, surrogate screenings, legal consultation, and the surrogate compensation package. Learn more about surrogacy costs and fees.
The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act establishes clear guidelines for gestational surrogacy agreements in the state. It defines a gestational surrogate as a woman who carries a child conceived through in vitro fertilization, using gametes from at least one intended parent, with no genetic link to herself. To qualify, surrogates must:
Be at least 21 years old
Have given birth to at least one child
Undergo medical and mental health evaluations
Intended parents are required to contribute at least one gamete to the embryo and provide a medical affidavit confirming the need for surrogacy. If both the egg and sperm come from donors, additional legal steps, such as adoption, may be necessary to establish parental rights. Both parties must have independent legal counsel and execute a written agreement before any medical procedures begin. The Act ensures that intended parents are recognized as the legal parents immediately upon the child's birth, provided all statutory requirements are met.
While Fertility Source Companies doesn’t give legal advice, we are here to support you and point you in the right direction, with available legal resources to ensure a successful surrogacy journey.
Want to learn more about surrogacy in Illinois?
Start your surrogacy journey today in Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, and all of Illinois
“I have worked with your amazing team since 2014. You were such a vital piece in my unforgettable journey all these years. I can not speak highly enough about your professionalism and caring demeanor. You will forever have my sincerest respect and admiration. I have enjoyed this process so much that I even referred my sister-in-law and she is in the legal stage with her IPs.”
— E.A., Surrogate
Illinois Surrogacy FAQs
Do international parents have a long waiting period before taking the baby home after the birth?
Before bringing the baby home, international IPs must usually wait two to three weeks for passports to be issued and completion of legal paperwork.
Is the surrogate genetically related to the baby?
Fertility Source Companies only works with gestational surrogates, who are not genetically related to the baby. To have a baby through surrogacy, the IPs or a donor must provide the egg.
Does the surrogate’s name go on the birth certificate after the baby’s birth?
In most cases, an attorney will apply for a pre-birth order before the baby is born; the order is then sent to the hospital, and the intended parent’s name is entered as the legal birth name on the baby's birth certificate.
What is a gestational carrier?
A gestational carrier (surrogate) carries a pregnancy for an individual or a couple (IPs). The baby is not genetically related to the gestational surrogate.
Are there any risks of being a surrogate?
There are risks associated with surrogacy, just like those associated with pregnancy, including mild symptoms (e.g., morning sickness, swelling, etc.) and more serious health risks like gestational diabetes.
Will I need to pay for any of the expenses associated with my surrogate pregnancy?
No, all expenses related to your surrogate pregnancy, including travel expenses, maternity clothing, and other out-of-pocket costs, will be reimbursed by the intended parents (in addition to the base compensation rate). Learn more about surrogate compensation & pay.
Our Partner Clinics in Illinois
Fertility Source Companies partners with many fertility clinics across Illinois, including in Chicago, Rockford, Belleville, Dekalb, and beyond. You’ll find the contact information and website addresses of each of our partner clinics in Illinois listed below.
Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago 30 Tower Court, Suite F Gurnee, IL 60031 Ph: 847-662-1818 Fx: 847-662-3001 Web: http://www.advancedfertility.com/
Chicago IVF 10811 West 143rd Street, Suite 120 Orland Park, IL 60467 Ph: 866-483-2446 Fax: 312-467-0743 Web: http://www.chicago-ivf.com/
Hinsdale Center for Reproduction 121 North Elm Hinsdale, IL 60521 Ph: 630-856-3535 Fx: 630-856-3545 Web: http://www.hinsdale-ivf.com/
Institute for Human Reproduction 409 W. Huron St. #500 Chicago, IL 60654 Ph: 312-288-6420 Web: http://www.infertilityihr.com/
Invia Fertility 1585 N. Barrington Road Doctors Building II, Suite 406 Hoffman Estates, IL 60194 Ph: 847-884-8884 Fx: 847-884-8093 Web: http://www.inviafertility.com/
Midwest Fertility Center 4333 Main Street Downers Grove, IL 60515 Ph: 630-810-0212 Fx: 630-810-1027 Web: https://mfcfamily.com/
North Shore Fertility 5225 Old Orchard Rd. Suite 17 Skokie, IL 60077 Ph: 847-763-8850 Fx: 847-763-8851 Web: http://www.northshorefertility.com/
Chicago IVF 28375 Davis Parkway, Suite 903 Warrenville, IL 60555 Ph: 866-483-2446 Web: http://www.chicago-ivf.com/
Fertility Source Companies offers a comprehensive surrogacy program that ensures both intended parents and gestational surrogates receive the highest level of support. Our dedicated case managers, many of whom are experienced surrogates, provide guidance from match to delivery, assisting with appointments and travel arrangements. Our rigorous screening process ensures only the most qualified surrogates are matched with intended parents, offering peace of mind throughout the process. As your dedicated surrogacy agency, Fertility Source Companies will help minimize stress, provide emotional support, and help with legal and financial arrangements.
