Hawaii's only physician-led surrogacy agency.
Every surrogate candidate is medically screened by fertility specialists at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii before she is presented for matching, not by agency staff. That single difference shapes the whole journey.
Carry a pregnancy for someone who cannot.
Our surrogates are medically screened and counseled by our partner physicians at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii, and supported by our team from match all the way through delivery.
- $60,000 base compensation, paid at $7,500 per month across eight months
- Earn about $20,000 more in milestone and contingent compensation
- Lost wages, childcare, housekeeping, travel and insurance all covered by intended parents
- Your own eggs are never used, so you have no genetic link to the child
- No match is ever forced, you review profiles and meet Intended Parents before you commit to a journey
Meet surrogates medically screened by fertility specialists.
Other agencies match first and screen later. We screen first, so every candidate you meet has already passed medical evaluation.
- Candidates medically cleared by leading fertility specialists before matching
- Medical screening, matching, legal coordination, escrow and post-birth support handled in one place
- Payments managed through SeedTrust escrow with a clear cost breakdown
- Experienced with same-sex couples, single parents and international families
- Parentage, birth certificate and travel documentation coordinated after birth
What "physician-led" actually means here
Most surrogacy agencies are coordination businesses. They recruit, they match, and they refer the medical questions elsewhere. SIH is the agency arm of a working fertility clinic, so every surrogate is medically vetted in-house, by our own clinical team.
Screened by specialists
Blood tests, hormone level evaluations and an ultrasound of the uterus is completed by our clinical team before surrogates are ever matched.
Maternal-fetal medicine review
A health assessment with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, with prior obstetric records made available for review before any match is offered.
Licensed mental health screening
A licensed mental health professional assesses emotional readiness and confirms the surrogate understands the process. A background check is also run.
Continuity of care
Every surrogate is screened by our clinical team before matching, and we stay involved as your agency throughout the full journey, from screening to delivery and beyond.
Our partnership with the Fertility Institute of Hawaii
Surrogacy Institute of Hawaii is the agency arm of the Fertility Institute of Hawaii (FIH) and serves as Hawaii's only surrogacy agency built directly within a fertility clinic. That partnership means every surrogate is medically screened by fertility specialists before she's ever presented for matching, not after.
This integration also gives intended parents flexibility. You're welcome to complete your embryo transfer at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii as part of one connected experience, or continue working with your own fertility clinic, wherever you are. Either way, SIH coordinates your full journey from matching through delivery.
Ten steps, with real timeframes
A full journey typically takes 18 to 24 months, from your first application to finalizing the legal details after birth. Every journey is different. Below is what an average journey with us looks like.
Application
The surrogate completes an application covering medical history, personal background, and motivation, along with a medical records release. Intended parents begin their own intake, sharing their preferences and family-building goals. Ultimately this information is used to create profiles for both the surrogate and intended parents which will then be shared with each other during the matching process.
Medical and psychological screening
The surrogate undergoes a pelvic ultrasound, hormone bloodwork, drug screening, and STD screening at our partner clinic, the Fertility Institute of Hawaii. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist also reviews the surrogate's pregnancy history for any risk factors. From there, surrogates complete an evaluation with a licensed mental health professional and a background check.
Matching
Surrogate and intended parent profiles are shared based on mutual preferences. If there's interest on both sides, we facilitate an introductory meeting to discuss expectations, communication style, and involvement. No match is ever forced.
Legal contract
Attorneys draft and review the surrogacy agreement covering compensation, medical care, insurance, and legal responsibilities. Both parties sign once every term is clear and mutually agreed upon.
Embryo transfer preparation
The surrogate begins a transfer cycle consisting of ultrasounds, bloodwork, and medications including birth control, oral estrogen, and progesterone injections leading up to the embryo transfer. The transfer itself is a minor procedure often compared to a Pap smear.
Pregnancy confirmation and ongoing care
A pregnancy test follows 10 to 12 days after transfer. If positive, follow-up ultrasounds continue through the eighth to tenth week, after which the surrogate transitions to regular prenatal care with her OB-GYN.
Third trimester and birth plan
Check-ups become more frequent. We help the surrogate and intended parents finalize the birth plan together including labor and delivery preferences, hospital arrangements, and everyone's role at the birth.
Birth
We notify intended parents and the medical team, and the baby is delivered according to the birth plan. The baby is placed with the intended parents, and the surrogate's postpartum care begins.
Post-birth follow-up
Postpartum check-ups confirm the surrogate's recovery is progressing. Remaining compensation and expenses are settled per the contract, and legal parentage documentation is finalized for the intended parents.
End of journey and continued support
The formal process ends, but support doesn't. We stay available for continued contact between surrogate and intended parents, or simply for ongoing support, and we're here if either side returns for a future journey.
Do I qualify?
These are general guidelines, not strict cutoffs. Pregnancy and delivery history is evaluated case by case. If you're unsure whether you meet a requirement, apply anyway and we'll review your history together.
Apply today
- AgeBetween 21 and 45 years old.
- BMIBetween 18 and 36 kg/m².
- Previous pregnancyAt least one successful, full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy, with obstetric records available for review.
- HealthGood physical and mental health, no major conditions that could affect pregnancy, no drug use and no current sexually transmitted infection.
- Delivery historyNo more than 5 prior deliveries and no more than 3 prior C-sections, with no history of pregnancy complications or preterm delivery.
- Time since last deliveryAt least 1 year since your last vaginal delivery or c-section, and finished breastfeeding.
- Stable lifestyleA stable family and home environment.
- Non-smokerNon-smoking, or no tobacco use during the pregnancy.
- Psychological screeningSurrogates must undergo a psychological evaluation to assess emotional preparedness and motivation.
- No history of substance abuseA history of substance abuse or of certain mental health conditions may mean surrogacy is not the right fit.
- ResidencyA US citizen, or legally able to work in the US.
- Tied tubes are fineTubal ligation does not disqualify you, because the pregnancy is created through IVF and not from your own eggs.
A history of no more than one blighted ovum or miscarriage is acceptable. Obstetric records must be available for maternal-fetal medicine review.
The compensation package
Compensation recognizes your time, effort, and physical commitment, and reflects how much this means to the intended parents you're helping. Every journey is different, so the figures below are a working outline, not a fixed offer.
Base compensation
Paid at $7,500 per month over eight months, beginning once a fetal heartbeat is confirmed.
Additional and contingent compensation
An approximate total for additional payments tied to specific milestones, such as embryo transfer or invasive procedures, that may or may not apply depending on your journey.
| Payment | Amount | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic match sign-on fee | $800 | One-time, within 20 days of signing the gestational carrier agreement |
| Monthly allowance | $250 | Monthly, from the signing of the gestational carrier agreement |
| Embryo transfer fee | $1,500 | For each transfer cycle performed and completed |
| Medication start fee | $1,000 | One-time, at the start of the IVF medication cycle |
| Payment | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Multiples fee | $10,000 | For each additional fetus carried beyond one, if carried to at least 24 weeks. Paid in monthly installments of $1,250 across eight months |
| Cesarean section | $5,000 | If a C-section is advised by the attending OB-GYN. Paid within five days of delivery |
| Maternity clothing allowance | $800 | One-time, at the beginning of the 12th week. $1,000 for multiples |
| Saline ultrasound, amniocentesis or hysteroscopy | $500 | For each procedure performed |
| Dilation and curettage | $1,000 | For each procedure performed |
| Operative hysteroscopy under anesthesia | $1,000 | For each procedure performed |
| Mock cycle or canceled cycle | $500 | For each cycle |
Expenses the intended parents cover
- Lost wagesYour actual net hourly rate for appointments, court appearances, bed rest or hospitalization, plus up to 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery or 8 weeks after a C-section. Your partner's lost wages are covered too.
- Childcare$50 per day per child for childcare needed to attend fertility or medical appointments.
- Housekeeping$150 per month, from the sixth month of pregnancy until one month after delivery.
- Travel$75 per day per diem for outer-island or out-of-state appointments, plus airfare, ground transport and lodging. An adult companion is covered on the same terms when a physician requires one.
- Breast milk pumping$400 per week for seven consecutive days of pumping, with supplies reimbursed on receipt.
- Health insuranceThe intended parents cover the full premium if you need new surrogacy-friendly coverage, or half the current premium if your policy already covers it.
- Medical expensesBills, co-pays, prescriptions, therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture related to the surrogacy.
- Surrogacy insuranceAccidental death cover of $600,000, total disability cover of $150,000, and $10,000 to $20,000 for loss of reproductive organs.
- Disability coverWeekly benefits providing lost wages, childcare and housekeeping during physician-ordered bed rest.
Final figures may change based on what is agreed with your match when the legal agreements are executed.
What we handle for you
Surrogacy has clinical, legal, financial and emotional moving parts that rarely line up on their own. These are the areas we take on so you are not coordinating them yourself.
Personalized matching and screening
We recruit, screen and educate surrogates through medical history review, psychological evaluation and physical examination. You review pre-screened candidates, and if both sides agree you meet in person or virtually before committing.
Medical care coordination
We coordinate your surrogate's prenatal care, from preconception through delivery, and keep communication clear between you, your surrogate, and her medical team.
Legal support
We facilitate legal services and verify the contracts that establish parentage and informed consent, working with attorneys who specialize in surrogacy law in your state or country.
Administrative support
Payments run through SeedTrust escrow, with disbursements and reimbursements handled for you and a clear breakdown of the costs of your journey. We prepare consent forms, medical releases and the rest of the paperwork.
Communication management
We act as liaison between you, your surrogate, the medical team and the legal advisors, supporting a relationship that can last well beyond the birth.
Emotional support and education
Step-by-step guidance through the whole process, with emotional support for everyone involved and referral to mental health counseling when it would help.
We do not match intended parents who have not yet created embryos. If you need guidance through this process, we would be happy to introduce you to our partner clinic, the Fertility Institute of Hawaii, or you are welcome to work with a fertility clinic of your choosing.
Post-birth coordination
Legal and parentage
We assist coordination with your legal counsel to finalize parentage based on the laws in the state you and your surrogate reside.
Financial closeout
We manage the final disbursements and reimbursements through SeedTrust escrow, so any remaining payments to your surrogate are settled with a clear breakdown.
Surrogate postpartum check-in
We check in with your surrogate through her postpartum recovery, coordinating any follow-up care and confirming she's supported after delivery.
What we ask of intended parents
Legal eligibility
You must be able to legally enter a surrogacy arrangement, which varies by state and by country.
Legal right to parent
Clear legal standing to parent the child, established during the legal process.
Financial readiness
Surrogacy is a significant financial commitment covering medical, legal and agency costs. We do not offer direct financing, but we can provide a list of lending resources.
Emotional readiness
Readiness for the medical procedures, the legal arrangements and the emotional complexity of building a family this way.
Frequently asked
Questions from Prospective Surrogates
The questions we hear most often at first contact.
Are my own eggs used?
No. We work exclusively in gestational surrogacy, where the embryo is created from the intended parents' egg and sperm, or from donor sources, through IVF. You carry the baby but have no genetic connection to the child, which keeps the boundaries clear for everyone.
How am I matched with intended parents?
Based on your preferences around medical needs, lifestyle and relationship expectations, we present you with intended parent profiles that align with you, and they see profiles of surrogates who match their criteria. If you are both interested we facilitate an introductory meeting. No match is ever forced.
What are the medical risks?
As with any pregnancy, there are risks. During screening we arrange a consultation with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who reviews the risks specific to you and your medical history, and your medical team provides regular checkups and guidance throughout.
Will I have medical insurance during the pregnancy?
Yes. If your existing plan does not cover a surrogacy pregnancy, the intended parents either provide a policy or cover the cost of one that includes surrogacy coverage, for the duration of the pregnancy.
Can I still have children afterwards?
Yes. Being a surrogate generally does not affect your ability to have children in the future.
Can I become a surrogate if my tubes are tied?
Yes. Tubal ligation does not prevent you from carrying, because the pregnancy is created through IVF using the intended parents' or a donor's egg and sperm, not your own eggs.
Can I stay in contact with the intended parents?
That is entirely up to you and them. Some pairs communicate frequently and stay in touch after the birth, others prefer more limited contact. We facilitate that conversation early so everyone agrees on expectations.
What emotional support will I receive?
You have access to counseling and support groups throughout, and our team is available for guidance at every step. Support continues after delivery for as long as you want it.
What happens after the baby is born?
The baby is handed to the intended parents and the process is legally documented, giving them full parental rights. Depending on what you agree together, you may continue to receive updates on the child's wellbeing.
Questions from Intended Parents
What we are asked before starting a journey with us.
How do we choose a surrogate?
We take a personalized approach. Based on your preferences around medical needs, lifestyle and relationship expectations, we present surrogate profiles that fit your family-building goals, and surrogates review profiles of intended parents in the same way. If both sides are interested, we facilitate an introductory meeting before anyone decides.
How long does the process take?
Typically 18 to 24 months. Matching and screening the right surrogate usually takes 6 to 12 months, IVF and medical preparation 2 to 3 months, the pregnancy about 9 months, and post-birth legal and medical work a further 1 to 3 months.
What does a surrogacy journey cost?
Cost depends on medical needs, insurance, legal work, surrogate compensation and where each party lives. Rather than publish a figure that will not match your circumstances, we walk you through the complete structure, line by line, on your consultation call.
What medical procedures are involved?
Embryos are created first with your own fertility physician. Both you and the surrogate then complete medical screening, including the FDA requirements that apply to the egg and sperm sources used to create embryos for a surrogate. Your surrogate takes estrogen and progesterone to prepare her uterine lining, the embryo is transferred under ultrasound guidance, and a blood test 10 to 14 days later confirms pregnancy.
What is our role during the pregnancy?
You are kept informed and involved throughout. That can include attending medical appointments, maintaining communication with the surrogate through us if you prefer, supporting her emotionally and practically, and planning for the birth including travel and post-birth documentation.
Can same-sex couples use surrogacy?
Yes. Surrogacy is a strong option for same-sex couples. Whether you are using an egg donor, a sperm donor or both, we can facilitate the entire process.
What happens if the surrogate miscarries?
Miscarriage is uncommon but possible. If it happens, or if the pregnancy becomes medically complicated, we support you through it with emotional counseling and legal guidance, and we work with you on a plan, which may mean a different surrogate or exploring other options.
What if we live in another state or country?
International surrogacy carries complex legal, ethical and logistical considerations. We ask you to take legal counsel on the laws in both your home country and here, so that every party understands the process, the risks and their rights before starting.
Does insurance cover the surrogate and the delivery?
Her existing plan is reviewed to confirm whether it provides maternity coverage for a surrogacy pregnancy. If it does not, a surrogacy-friendly policy is usually needed. We partner with a third-party insurance review company to assess her coverage and guide you through closing any gaps before the journey begins.
Do you offer financing?
Not directly, but we can provide a list of resources for financial lenders who work with families building through surrogacy.
What happens after the baby is born?
We coordinate the post-birth work: legal support to establish parental rights and amend the birth certificate where required, travel and immigration documentation if you are from another state or country, medical care for the baby and the surrogate, and emotional support including counseling for both sides.
Two ways to begin
Whichever side of the journey you are on, it starts with one short form and a conversation. Surrogates begin with a prescreen questionnaire; intended parents tell us where you are in the process and we reach out to you.
I want to be a surrogate
Start with a short prescreen questionnaire. One of our agency coordinators will follow up to explain the process, answer your questions and take you through the next steps.
- 1.Complete the prescreen questionnaire
- 2.A coordinator calls you to talk it through
- 3.If it is a fit, formal screening begins
Takes less than 5 minutes
Questions first? Call +1 808 380 6835 or email surrogacyinstitute@gmail.com.
I'm an intended parent
Tell us where you are in the process and we'll reach out to connect.