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Surrogacy By Faith — Fertlo Editorial Review

Independent editorial overview · Irvine, CA
Photo of Dr. Candela Gallardo

Dr. Candela Gallardo, MD, Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology

5 min read
Medically Reviewed
Photo of Dr. Luis Arturo Ruvalcaba Castellón

Dr. Luis Arturo Ruvalcaba Castellón, MD

IVF & Advanced Reproductive Technologies Instituto Mexicano de Infertilidad (IMI), Guadalajara; LIV Fertility Center; University of Guadalajara

Last reviewed:

Surrogacy By Faith is a surrogacy agency located at 4000 Barranca Pkwy, Suite 250, in Irvine, California — a planned community in Orange County known for its highly educated population, strong healthcare infrastructure, and proximity to several major fertility centers. The agency offers gestational surrogacy services in one of the country's most surrogacy-friendly legal environments. Orange County's concentration of reproductive endocrinology practices and reproductive law firms makes Irvine a natural hub for agency operations serving Southern California intended parents. Families throughout the state can explore additional care options through the California fertility clinics directory.

Physicians and Clinical Team

Surrogacy By Faith is a matching and case management agency, not a fertility clinic or medical provider. No reproductive endocrinologists or embryologists are employed directly by the agency. Medical care for gestational carriers and embryo transfer procedures is coordinated with partnered reproductive endocrinology practices selected by the intended parents. The agency's team includes experienced case managers and coordinators who facilitate communication between intended parents, gestational carriers, legal professionals, and medical providers throughout the journey. Some faith-oriented agencies also maintain connections with counselors and clergy who can provide additional emotional or spiritual support, though specifics vary.

Services and Treatments

  • Gestational surrogacy matching for intended parents and carriers
  • Thorough carrier screening including medical, psychological, and background evaluations
  • Ongoing case management through pregnancy and delivery
  • Legal referrals for drafting and executing gestational carrier agreements
  • Coordination with fertility clinics for embryo transfer cycles
  • Support services for intended parents navigating the surrogacy process for the first time
  • Faith-aligned counseling referrals where appropriate
  • Guidance for families using donor eggs or sperm
  • Post-birth parentage order coordination

Laboratory and Success Rates

As an agency, Surrogacy By Faith does not operate an embryology laboratory or independently track IVF outcome data. Clinical outcomes — including embryo quality, fertilization rates, and live birth rates — are the responsibility of the fertility clinic where embryo creation and transfer occur. Intended parents should request outcome data directly from their chosen IVF provider and evaluate those figures in context. Patients should review the most current cycle-level data published by the CDC's ART Surveillance program and the SART Clinic Summary Report.

Patient Experience

Irvine and Orange County offer intended parents convenient access to some of Southern California's most experienced fertility clinics and reproductive attorneys. Faith-based surrogacy agencies often emphasize a relationship-driven, values-centered approach to matching, which some intended parents and carriers find reassuring during a process that can be emotionally complex. California's legal framework — which permits pre-birth orders establishing intended parentage before the child is born — provides significant peace of mind compared to surrogacy arrangements made in states with less clear statutory law. Intended parents should expect a thorough onboarding process, as agencies like Surrogacy By Faith typically invest significant time in assessing compatibility between carriers and intended families.

Considering At-Home Insemination?

Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. For individuals and couples exploring their options before committing to a full IVF cycle or surrogacy arrangement, at-home insemination can be a meaningful first step. MakeAMom offers at-home insemination kits — including the BabyMaker kit for those with sensitivities, the CryoBaby kit designed for use with frozen or low-volume sperm, and the Impregnator kit for low-motility sperm — shipped discreetly to your door. With a reported 67% success rate among users, these kits provide an accessible, lower-cost entry point for those beginning their path to parenthood. MakeAMom's reusable kits are cost-effective compared to single-use alternatives and come with detailed instructions. That said, surrogacy and third-party reproduction involve complex medical, legal, and emotional considerations that go well beyond what at-home insemination can address. If you are pursuing gestational surrogacy, working with a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.

Insurance and Financing

Surrogacy is one of the most significant financial investments associated with family building, with total costs commonly ranging from $100,000 to over $175,000 depending on carrier compensation, legal fees, insurance premiums, and medical expenses. California does not require private health plans to cover surrogacy expenses for intended parents, though some employer-sponsored plans offer family-building benefits that can be applied. Gestational carriers must have health insurance that will cover the pregnancy; agencies often assist in identifying appropriate policies. Intended parents may explore financing through specialty fertility lenders, personal loans, or grants from nonprofit family-building organizations. Consulting a financial planner experienced in surrogacy costs before committing to an arrangement is strongly advisable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California surrogacy law advantageous for intended parents? California family law explicitly recognizes gestational surrogacy agreements and allows intended parents — regardless of marital status or sexual orientation — to obtain pre-birth orders that establish legal parentage before the child is born. This avoids the need for post-birth adoption proceedings that are required in many other states.

How does a faith-based agency differ from a standard surrogacy agency? Faith-based agencies often emphasize shared values in the matching process and may prioritize moral or ethical compatibility between carriers and intended parents. They may also offer or refer to faith-aligned counseling resources. However, the core services — matching, legal coordination, and case management — are similar to secular agencies.

Can intended parents from other states work with a California agency? Yes. Many intended parents based in states with less favorable surrogacy laws work with California agencies specifically to take advantage of California's legal protections. The gestational carrier typically resides in California, which determines the jurisdiction for the pre-birth order.

How long does a typical surrogacy journey take from start to finish? From initial agency application to birth, the process commonly takes between 18 and 30 months, depending on matching timelines, medical clearances, legal contracting, and the number of embryo transfer attempts required to achieve a successful pregnancy.

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