First-time surrogates in Washington 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 |
Washington has the strongest surrogate-protective framework in the country, alongside Vermont. The Uniform Parentage Act provisions at RCW 26.26A.700–.785 have been in force since January 2019. Compensated gestational surrogacy is expressly authorized, and RCW 26.26A.740 makes the intended parents the exclusive parents at birth.
RCW 26.26A.710 requires that you and the intended parents have independent legal representation throughout, each counsel identified in the agreement, and states plainly: “The intended parent or parents must pay for independent legal representation for the woman acting as a surrogate.”
RCW 26.26A.715 requires the agreement to “permit the woman acting as a surrogate to make all health and welfare decisions regarding herself and her pregnancy,” and states that “provisions in the agreement to the contrary are void and unenforceable” — expressly including your right to end the pregnancy. That void-and-unenforceable language means such a term cannot bind you even if you signed it.
RCW 26.26A.735 lets any party terminate at any time before an embryo transfer, and again before a subsequent transfer if one fails. Neither you nor your spouse is liable for any penalty or liquidated damages absent fraud, and the intended parents remain responsible for expenses incurred through termination.
RCW 26.26A.705 requires you to be at least 21, to have previously given birth, to complete a medical evaluation and a mental health consultation, and to have independent counsel. Note also that you may not enter into more than two surrogacy agreements resulting in births. There is no residency requirement and no insurance mandate, though the agreement must disclose your health policy's surrogacy provisions and any liability or lien exposure.
Pre-birth orders are available statewide without regard to genetic connection, marital status or sexual orientation, and the court retains exclusive continuing jurisdiction until 90 days after birth. Washington also licenses surrogacy-broker escrow accounts and bars brokers from taking payments from referring lawyers or providers.
Source: RCW 26.26A.700–.785.
Several of these are Washington law, not agency preference. RCW 26.26A.705 requires that you be at least 21, have previously given birth, complete a medical evaluation and a mental health consultation, and have independent counsel — which the intended parents must pay for. Washington also limits you to two surrogacy agreements resulting in births. BMI limits, smoking rules and age caps are agency screening, not statute.
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. Washington authorizes compensated gestational surrogacy, requires intended parents to pay for your attorney, and makes void any contract term limiting your medical decisions, including ending the pregnancy.
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 Washington-specific guidance.
18–24 months from application to delivery: matching (1–6 months), medical screening, legal review, and the full pregnancy term.
Also exploring egg donation in Washington?
See Egg Donor Pay in Washington →Complete our 10-minute application. We'll connect you with licensed agencies serving Washington.