Choosing Illinois for Surrogacy in the United States
The Illinois Center for Surrogacy offers intended parents a combination of convenient travel, lower-cost care, and legal security not matched by other surrogacy locations in the United States. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act provides a unique level of legal security to our patients, and is one of the primary reasons for choosing Illinois for surrogacy.
- Surrogacy in Illinois vs. California
- Surrogacy in Illinois vs. Oregon
- Surrogacy in Illinois vs. Nevada
Our award-winning physicians and surrogacy advocates are among the most experienced third-party reproduction professionals in the country, and our personalized approach to surrogacy brings simplicity to an otherwise complex process. To learn more about surrogacy in Illinois, contact us for a free consultation.
Why Illinois Is a Premier Destination for Surrogacy in the United States
Surrogacy-Friendly Laws
The state of Illinois offers intended parents the unique legal security provided by the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act. This protects gestational surrogacy arrangements as a matter of law, and is not subject to the individual interpretation of judges. It is important to note that the act does not protect non-traditional surrogacy, though this is not the preferred approach at our center. In Illinois, intended parents and their surrogate mother do not need to be legal residents of the state, and do not need to be married to work with a gestational surrogate . The only restriction in terms of what aspects of your journey need to take place in Illinois, is the birth of your baby.
Central U.S. Location
Illinois is centrally located in the Midwestern United States, which provides for a shorter period of travel for intended parents and gestational carriers across much of the country when compared with coastal surrogacy destinations. The Illinois Center for Surrogacy is located in the Chicago area, allowing our patients to enjoy a major American city with excellent transportation hubs, world-class shopping and dining, museums, and other sightseeing opportunities.
Clear and Affordable Surrogate Costs
The combination of lower travel costs, reduced surrogate compensation, and a surrogacy-friendly legal environment makes Illinois an affordable destination for surrogacy when compared with other U.S. destinations. The Illinois Center for Surrogacy offers three affordable, all-inclusive financial packages. Whether you are local to Illinois or travelling internationally, our plans are designed to make the surrogacy process easy to understand, and easy to afford.
A Coordinated Approach to the Surrogacy Journey
One of the advantages of working with the Illinois Center for Surrogacy is the ability to streamline the earliest stages of the process. Through our in-house egg donor program at Chicago IVF, intended parents may be able to complete embryo creation within the same network of care, reducing the need to coordinate across multiple providers.
For those pursuing independent surrogacy journeys, our team also offers experienced guidance and access to a trusted network of professionals. We can help connect intended parents with attorneys, mental health professionals, escrow providers, and insurance specialists to support each step of the process. While these services are coordinated through our recommendations, they are managed independently and are not billed through Chicago IVF.
Surrogacy in Illinois vs. California
- Surrogacy-Friendly Laws: Gestational surrogacy law is favorable in California, permitted by California Family Law Sections 7960 – 7962 (2013). California is considered a surrogacy-friendly state, with gestational surrogacy justified by existing case law. Though opinions differ, the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act provides more legal security, as it is not subject to the interpretation of individual judges.
- Central U.S. Location: California is located on the western coast of the United States, which amounts to a longer, typically more costly travel experience for those traveling from the Midwest, Europe, and other domestic and international locations.
- Clear & Affordable Fees: Due to location, travel costs, and increased surrogate mother compensation due to higher demand, California is a usually a more expensive option for intended parents considering surrogacy.
Surrogacy in Illinois vs. Oregon
- Surrogacy Law: Surrogacy is allowed in Oregon because there is no law expressly prohibiting it. Though considered a surrogacy-friendly state, Oregon does not have any laws protecting gestational surrogacy. The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act provides specific protection for gestational surrogacy arrangements, giving intended parents greater legal security.
- Prime Location: Oregon is located on the northwest coast of the U.S., creating a longer, typically more costly travel experience for those traveling from the Midwest, Europe, and other domestic and international locations.
- Overall Cost: Due to location, travel costs, and increased surrogate mother compensation due to higher demand, Oregon is usually a more expensive option for intended parents considering surrogacy.
Surrogacy in Illinois vs. Nevada
- Surrogacy Law: Gestational surrogacy is permitted under Nev. Rev. Stat. NRS 126.500-126.810. Nevada is considered a very surrogacy-friendly state, with laws in place protecting the practice.
- Central U.S. Location: Nevada is located near the western coast of the United States, which amounts to a longer, typically more costly travel experience for those traveling from the Midwest, Europe, and other domestic and international locations.
- Clear & Affordable Fees: Due to location, travel costs, and increased surrogate compensation due to higher demand, Nevada is typically a more expensive option for intended parents considering surrogacy.