First-time surrogates in Pennsylvania earn $50,000–$65,000 base compensation plus monthly allowances. See full breakdown below.
| Base Compensation | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Monthly Allowance | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Maternity Clothing | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Lost Wages | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Potential | $57,000 – $83,000 |
| Base Compensation | $60,000 – $80,000 |
| Monthly Allowance | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Maternity Clothing | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Lost Wages | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Potential | $67,000 – $98,000 |
Pennsylvania has no surrogacy statute but is friendly in practice. In J.F. v. D.B. (Pa. Super. 2006) the Superior Court reversed a trial court that had declared surrogacy contracts contrary to public policy, and rejected the idea that a gestational carrier automatically retains legal parenthood. Compensated gestational surrogacy is lawful and routine; traditional surrogates cannot be paid.
Pre-birth orders are county-dependent and results vary greatly by county and by the facts, particularly where donor gametes are involved. Venue may be your county of residence, the intended parents' county, or the county of birth — so where your attorney files genuinely matters to you.
No minimum age, prior-birth requirement, residency rule, evaluation mandate or insurance requirement exists as law. Counsel is not statutorily required and no statute assigns who pays yours. As in Ohio, your entire protection is the contract you sign.
A bill introduced in August 2025 would create a new chapter governing gestational carrier agreements, requiring criminal, child-abuse and sex-offender-registry clearances for adult household members — including out-of-state clearances for out-of-state carriers — and barring courts from entering parentage orders until compliance is verified. A separate effort to adopt the Uniform Parentage Act is also pending. Nothing has been enacted, but if you are matching in Pennsylvania, ask your attorney where these stand.
Source: J.F. v. D.B., 897 A.2d 1261 (Pa. Super. 2006).
The criteria below are agency screening standards, not state law. No statute here sets a minimum age, requires a prior birth, or mandates medical or psychological evaluation. Agencies apply these criteria (largely from ASRM practice guidance) and they determine whether your application proceeds — but they are policy, and some are negotiable.
Final eligibility is determined by the agency's medical team.
Complete application in 10–15 minutes. Agency contacts you within 48 hours.
Physical exam, bloodwork, and uterine evaluation — paid for by the agency.
Review profiles and meet potential intended parents. You always have the right to say no.
Surrogacy agreement reviewed by your own attorney, funded by the agency.
Monthly compensation begins immediately after transfer. All medical costs covered.
Remaining compensation disbursed around delivery. Post-delivery allowances continue up to 6 weeks.
Yes. Pennsylvania has no surrogacy statute, but appellate case law rejects the idea that surrogacy contracts are against public policy. Results vary greatly by county.
Typically yes. Most agencies require you to live in the state where you carry the pregnancy, as medical care and legal jurisdiction are state-specific.
Base compensation is generally taxable at the federal level. Expense reimbursements (travel, maternity clothes) are typically not taxable. Consult a tax professional for Pennsylvania-specific guidance.
18–24 months from application to delivery: matching (1–6 months), medical screening, legal review, and the full pregnancy term.
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