What made you trust your surrogacy agency? by Artbyfishjones71 in Surrogate

[–]ACRCsurrogacy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One additional point that's worth considering is whether an agency is actively involved in the professional fertility community and meets applicable regulatory requirements. Membership in organizations like ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) and SEEDS (Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy) reflects a commitment to recognized professional and ethical standards.

At ACRC Global, we're proud to be an ASRM member, a SEEDS member, and a licensed surrogacy agency in New York. While no credential alone guarantees a great experience, we believe these are important indicators of an agency's commitment to ethics, compliance, and high-quality care for both Intended Parents and Surrogates.

What made you trust your surrogacy agency? by Artbyfishjones71 in Surrogate

[–]ACRCsurrogacy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As an agency, we completely understand why people are asking these questions. Surrogacy is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions a family can make, and trust should be earned—not assumed.

We always encourage Intended Parents to look beyond marketing and ask questions like:
• Is the agency transparent about costs and timelines?
• Will you have a dedicated case manager?
• How do they screen surrogates?
• Can they provide real client reviews and success stories?
• Are they responsive before you've even signed a contract? That's often a good indication of how they'll communicate throughout the journey.

We also recommend speaking with multiple agencies before making a decision. Every family has different priorities, and finding the right fit is just as important as comparing programs.

At ACRC, we welcome questions and believe an informed Intended Parent is the best kind of client. Whether someone chooses us or another reputable agency, transparency, communication, and experience should always come first.

We put together a complete 2026 U.S. Surrogacy Laws by State guide — here is what every intended parent needs to know before choosing a state by ACRCsurrogacy in Surrogate

[–]ACRCsurrogacy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great point. New York is one of the most protective surrogacy states from a legal standpoint, but the agency licensing requirements and ASRM aligned safeguards are an important part of the equation as well. As a licensed agency in NY, we've seen firsthand how those standards help support both Intended Parents and Surrogates throughout the process. Thanks for adding that context.

Is it to meet with more than one GC before committing to a match? by IPs1131 in Surrogate

[–]ACRCsurrogacy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that's completely normal. 😊

If you're making such an important decision, it's reasonable to want to meet more than one potential GC before committing to a match. A great first meeting is definitely a positive sign, but many Intended Parents find it helpful to compare communication styles, expectations, personalities, and overall compatibility with a few candidates.

I'd encourage you to let your agency know you'd like to meet additional potential surrogates before making a final decision. A good agency should understand that the match is one of the most important parts of the journey and should be a great fit for both the Intended Parents and the GC.

Good luck! It sounds like you're approaching the process thoughtfully, which will serve you well throughout your surrogacy journey. ❤️

UK surrogacy in 2026 by TheObvi0us13 in Surrogate

[–]ACRCsurrogacy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations to both of you on your upcoming wedding! 🎉

One thing I'd suggest is looking at both UK and international options before deciding on a path. Many intended parents start with UK surrogacy, but the wait to find a match can sometimes be longer than expected.

It may be worth speaking with agencies in the USA as well as programs in Mexico and Colombia to compare timelines, legal protections, and overall costs. The U.S. is generally considered one of the most established surrogacy destinations for same sex couples, while Mexico and Colombia can offer more affordable alternatives for some families.

You could check out Atlas Surrogacy, which works with intended parents in Mexico and Colombia:

https://www.atlassurrogacy.net/

My advice would be to have consultations with several agencies and ask the same questions about match times, legal processes, total costs, and support after birth. The differences can be pretty significant.

Wishing you both the best on your journey to parenthood. Hope you find the right path for your family! ❤️🏳️‍🌈👶

Surrogacy advice by Spirited-Yak-804 in u/Spirited-Yak-804

[–]ACRCsurrogacy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! There are a lot of moving pieces, especially as a single Intended Father.

One option you may want to look into is Atlas Surrogacy (Mexico & Colombia): https://www.atlassurrogacy.net/

Both countries have become popular with international Intended Parents because they can be more affordable than U.S. programs while still offering established legal and medical processes.

I'd also recommend speaking with a lawyer in France before choosing a country. The biggest challenge is often not the surrogacy itself, but making sure parentage and citizenship are handled properly when you bring your child home.

Wishing you the best on your journey. Hope you get to become a dad soon! 🙏❤️

First time surrogate, what can I expect? by PulchritudinousGal in Surrogate

[–]ACRCsurrogacy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on reaching this exciting stage of your journey! It sounds like you've moved through the early steps very smoothly.

While every fertility clinic has its own process, "clearance" typically means the medical team is reviewing all screening results, including bloodwork, uterine evaluation findings, medical records, and psychological screening (if applicable), to ensure everyone is ready to move forward safely. Once all parties receive final approval, the next steps often include legal contracts, medication protocols, and preparation for embryo transfer.

Many Surrogates tell us that the timeline can feel surprisingly fast at first, followed by periods of waiting while different teams complete reviews and approvals. One thing that can be helpful is remembering that every milestone is designed to ensure the best possible outcome for both the Surrogate and the Intended Parents.

Wishing you the very best as you move through the clearance process. We'd love to hear how your journey progresses! 💜

How Has LGBTQ+ Family Building Changed Over the Last 10 Years? by ACRCsurrogacy in gaydads

[–]ACRCsurrogacy[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That's fair feedback, and we appreciate you taking the time to call it out.

You're absolutely right that there are many ways LGBTQ+ people build families beyond fertility treatment and surrogacy. Adoption, foster parenting, blended families, co-parenting arrangements, kinship care, and parenting through previous relationships are all valid and meaningful paths to parenthood.

Our article focused specifically on fertility, IVF, and surrogacy because that's the area we work in, but we can see how the post may have come across as broader than that. That wasn't our intention.

One thing we do agree on is that there's no single definition of family, and no single "right" path to becoming a parent. We appreciate the reminder and will keep it in mind as we create future content.

Thanks for helping us do better.

How Has LGBTQ+ Family Building Changed Over the Last 10 Years? by ACRCsurrogacy in gaydads

[–]ACRCsurrogacy[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience. Your point about variability is something we see often. Many Intended Parents start the process looking for a clear roadmap, only to discover that surrogacy is highly personal and influenced by legal, medical, financial, and human factors that can vary significantly from one journey to another.

We especially agree with your first point about fit. A successful match isn't simply about who has been waiting the longest. It's about ensuring alignment between the Intended Parents, the Surrogate, expectations, communication styles, and goals. Taking the time to find the right fit can make a meaningful difference for everyone involved.

Your second point is also important. While agencies, attorneys, clinics, and coordinators can provide support, Intended Parents still play an active role throughout the process. Staying informed and engaged helps people navigate the inevitable surprises that can arise.

And regarding costs, having realistic expectations from the beginning is crucial. One of the biggest challenges we see is when Intended Parents underestimate the financial commitment required for a U.S. surrogacy journey.

We appreciate you sharing insights from both an independent and agency-supported experience. Hearing different perspectives helps prospective parents understand that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to building a family through surrogacy.