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For people and couples hoping to start their journey into parenthood, surrogacy can be a life-changing experience. Not only is Illinois a great place for surrogacy for many reasons—including some of the best fertility clinics and gestational carriers in the United States—but also with progressive surrogacy laws, Illinois is a significant state for surrogacy in the United States.
Surrogacy can be expensive. Surrogacy costs vary from $100,000 to $250,000, and in many cases much, much more, based on various factors. If you’re specifically researching surrogate mother cost illinois, it’s important to understand all the elements that go into this price range—from medical procedures and agency fees to legal and emotional support.
This information guide provides a breakdown about surrogacy costs in Illinois, legal obligations related to surrogacy, and why Illinois ranks so high as a surrogacy destination.
Illinois is known to be surrogacy-friendly, with strong legal safeguards and some of the best hospitals in the country. Here‘s why:
For a more in-depth look at surrogacy in the USA: laws, costs, and affordable options, visit Surrogacy in the USA: The Ultimate Guide to Laws, Costs, and Affordable Options.
Illinois surrogacy law is widely regarded as one of the most progressive and protective legal frameworks in the United States. Illinois certainly stands out as a first-class destination for surrogacy, with its comprehensive, contemporary legal structure under the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act, (750 ILCS 47/1 – 47/75). Enacted in 2005, this law was able to accomplish three major principles that provide clarity, protection, and inclusiveness for all parties – intended parents, surrogates, and children. Below, we post the main points of Illinois’ surrogacy laws based on what some people search, including Illinois surrogacy laws, gestational surrogacy in Illinois, and surrogacy legal requirements.
Illinois is unique in that it has a written process for pre-birth orders that allows intended parents to obtain legal parental rights before the birth of the child. Under the Gestational Surrogacy Act, if, in the case of multiple intended parents, at least one intended parent is genetically connected to the child (via egg or sperm), intended parents may obtain parental rights administratively rather than by a court order. It involves submitting two certified statements to the Department of Public Health in Illinois and the hospital where the baby will be born. These certified statements will be signed by the intended parents, the surrogate, the surrogate’s spouse/partner if applicable, and the fertility physician, and will confirm that at least one intended parent’s egg or sperm was used, and that a Surrogacy agreement was signed.
Illinois surrogacy law also provides options for intended parents who are not genetically related to the child or who prefer court involvement. If there is no genetic connection, or if the intended parents prefer court order(s), they may file for pre-birth or post-birth orders, as established in Section 7 of the Illinois Parentage Act. This allows intended parents to have their names listed on the birth certificate directly, and is beneficial for both domestic and international intended parents. It is especially important for international intended parents to get a parental order from Illinois because, for some countries, their parental rights won’t be recognized without this order when they return to their country of origin. These factors and others contribute to Illinois being a popular destination for international surrogacy.
Illinois has very inclusive surrogacy laws, and Illinois surrogacy law specifically allows for a variety of families to use surrogacy, including LGBTQ+ couples, unmarried partners, and single people. The Gestational Surrogacy Act defines intended parent as “an individual or individuals who enter into a gestational surrogacy contract and will be the legal parent(s)”, meaning they are given equal regard as intended parents based on their marital status or sexual orientation. In fact, Illinois allows same-sex couples to be listed as co-parents on the birth certificate, highlighting their commitment to equality in family law.
In the case of egg or sperm donors, the process remains equally simple. Non-genetically related parents in same-sex couples can pursue second-parent adoption to formalize their rights after birth, but often a pre-birth order is all one needs. The combination of this inclusivity with suggested legal processes makes Illinois surrogacy law a strong example of progressive family-building legislation and a leader in LGBTQ+ surrogacy rights.
To ensure a safe and ethical surrogacy process, Illinois law imposes strict requirements for gestational surrogates, aligning with industry standards and protecting all parties. Surrogates must meet the following criteria:
Age: Be at least 21 years old.
Prior Childbirth: Have given birth to at least one child, demonstrating physical and emotional readiness for pregnancy.
Medical Evaluation: Undergo comprehensive medical assessments to confirm physical health and suitability for pregnancy.
Psychological Screening: Complete a psychological evaluation to ensure emotional stability and understanding of the surrogacy commitment.
Legal Consultation: Consult with an independent attorney to review the surrogacy contract, ensuring full awareness of rights and responsibilities.
Health Insurance: Maintain or obtain health insurance covering major medical treatments, hospitalization, and pregnancy-related care, extending at least 8 weeks post-delivery. If unavailable, intended parents may provide a suitable policy.
These requirements safeguard the health and well-being of surrogates while ensuring a smooth and legally sound surrogacy journey.
The surrogacy laws in Illinois provide an effective and inclusive approach for the protection of surrogacy participants. The ability to obtain a pre-birth order with limited or no court involvement also saves time and costs. The state’s inclusive statutes are generally welcoming to all. The high standards of screening surrogates with a thorough set of requirements, requiring legal counsel, and compliance with surrogate agreements ensures ethical considerations abound therefore making Illinois a preferred state for people searching for surrogacy in Illinois, legal surrogacy options, or safe surrogacy states.
The cost of surrogacy in Illinois typically ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, influenced by factors such as agency fees, surrogate mother cost in Illinois, medical procedures, and legal expenses. Below is a detailed breakdown:
Category | Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|
Agency Fees | $14,000 – $45,000 |
Surrogate Compensation | $30,000 – $100,000 |
Medical Expenses (IVF, prenatal) | $20,000 – $40,000 |
Legal Fees | $3,000 – $20,000 |
Psychological Screening | $1,000 – $4,000 |
Insurance (surrogate health/life) | $2,500 – $28,300 |
Additional Costs (e.g., C-section, twins) | $3,000 – $20,000 |
Surrogate Experience: If you live in Illinois, experienced surrogates may charge a larger fee (up to $100,000) compared to a first-time surrogate fee ($30,000 – $65,000). This difference is a key factor in the overall surrogate mother cost in Illinois, as prior experience often comes with higher compensation expectations.
Medical Needs: The expense can also increase if the IVF cycle requires additional IVF cycles, egg/sperm donation, or procedures such as PGS/PGD. These medical variables can significantly impact the surrogate mother cost Illinois families should be prepared for.
Location: Surrogates incur slightly different costs if they are local (within 100 miles of the clinic) or need to travel. Travel arrangements and accommodation may increase the total.
Unforeseen Expenses: C-sections ($3,000) or carrying multiples ($10,000–$20,000) may add to the final bill, making it crucial to plan ahead when estimating the full surrogate mother cost Illinois residents might face.
Some agencies may not include these fees in their original quotes. Be aware of:
To provide a clearer perspective, it’s useful to compare the Illinois surrogacy cost with that of other popular states. Understanding how surrogacy cost in Illinois stacks up against states like California, New York, or Texas can help intended parents make more informed financial decisions.
Surrogacy in Illinois typically costs between $100,000 to $200,000, even with insurance. While Illinois law requires some insurance plans to cover maternity-related costs, the surrogate’s own insurance may not always include surrogacy. In such cases, intended parents often need to purchase a separate maternity insurance plan, which can cost an additional $10,000 to $30,000. Overall, insurance may reduce some medical expenses but does not significantly lower the total cost of the surrogacy journey.
Gender selection, or family balancing, is an option for intended parents in Illinois using surrogacy. Through Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) or Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) during IVF, embryos’ sex can be determined before transfer. Illinois’ advanced fertility clinics, like Fertility Centers of Illinois in Chicago, offer this service with high accuracy, adding $3,000–$6,000 to surrogacy costs.
Illinois law does not restrict gender selection for non-medical reasons, allowing flexibility under the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act (750 ILCS 47). Intended parents should consult clinics and legal counsel to align with ethical guidelines. Reputable agencies, such as Golden Surrogacy, provide guidance to ensure a transparent process, making Illinois a top choice for gender selection in surrogacy.
The process of surrogacy in Illinois is composed of several parts with planning needed for each of these steps.
Illinois has a diverse range of surrogacy opportunities for intended parents and surrogates. It has a comprehensive legal landscape, experienced fertility professionals, and a history of high success rates, making it an ideal surrogacy destination. Whether you are in Chicago, Skokie, or Northbrook, there are reputable surrogacy agencies in Illinois to suit your needs. If you are looking for a Chicago surrogacy agency, there are many great providers in Illinois — each Illinois surrogacy agency offering support tailored to your goals.
The following is an overview of some of the top surrogacy agencies and some leading Chicago surrogacy agencies, that provide a full continuum of services to help guide you on your surrogacy adventure!
Each Illinois surrogacy agency listed above is among the most trusted and experienced in the state, offering comprehensive support for both intended parents and surrogates. These are some of the best agencies Illinois has to offer.
While Illinois offers unparalleled legal and medical support, the high costs may be prohibitive for some. For those looking to save significantly, surrogacy in Iran is a compelling option. At VitaLife, we offer a guaranteed surrogacy package starting at just $20,000 to $35,000, covering:
Surrogate matching and compensation
IVF and medical procedures
Legal contracts and parental establishment
Comprehensive support, including 24/7 concierge services
Iran combines advanced fertility clinics with a supportive legal framework, making it a cost-effective and reliable destination. Compared to Illinois’ $100,000-$250,000, surrogacy in Iran provides the same quality at a fraction of the cost, with no compromise on safety or success rates. Contact VitaLife to explore how our affordable packages can make your dream of parenthood a reality.
For hopeful parents who want to start their journey to parenthood, surrogacy in Illinois is a valuable and legally sound option, thanks to the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act (750 ILCS 47) and some of the best fertility centers in the world in places like Chicago, Skokie, or Northbrook. It has the added benefit of progressive laws surrounding pre-birth orders and its acceptance of LGBTQ+ families, so it supports an easy and smooth surrogacy path for intended parents. Illinois surrogacy law ensures legal clarity and protection for all parties involved. Of course, the cost of surrogacy in Illinois – which can range from $100,000 to $250,000, depending on factors like compensating the surrogate, medical procedures, and legal fees – could be what creates a barrier for many intended parents. When considering surrogacy as a pathway to parenthood, it is important to have a detailed financial plan and budget.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, perhaps you should consider surrogacy in Iran. VitaLife has guaranteed surrogacy packages in Iran for $20,000 to $35,000 that include surrogate matching, IVF, legal support, and 24-hour concierge service — the same service and quality of surrogacy in Illinois at 85% less. Iran has some of the most advanced fertility clinics in the world and offers excellent legal protection for surrogacy. Besides Illinois with its robust legal protections, Iranian surrogacy is more affordable. Regardless of your final choice for surrogacy, whether you select Illinois or Iran, VitaLife is here to help you. Contact VitaLife to schedule your free consultation so we can help you take that first step toward creating your family with the confidence that surrogacy can provide.
