Some states specifically outlaw surrogacy, some states are favorable, and many states have no statues at all and leave the entire issue to individual cases in the courts. Illinois is one of the most favorable states for surrogacy. Generally, the state where the child is born is the state whose laws apply. So, it makes sense for the intended parents of a surrogate baby to choose a surrogate mother living in Illinois. Picking a surrogacy agency in Illinois is a great way to start the surrogacy process for intended parents.
Once you have chosen a state that is favorable for surrogacy, you need to find a surrogate mother, advisably through a reputable surrogacy agency, who has the experience to guide all parties through the process. An agency can help parents find a surrogate mother, help with the agreement between the parties, and make helpful referrals to other parties such as attorneys, counselors and fertility clinics.
Some agencies are quite large and spend a lot of money on finding surrogate mothers and advertising, which makes their overhead costs higher. These large firms charge much more for their services. A small firm can save intended parents thousands of dollars and keep the services much more personalized. Parenting Partners, Inc., is a smaller surrogate agency in Illinois, with years of experience and who has successfully managed many surrogate experiences. The owner is an advocate for surrogacy and is also a parent through surrogacy herself. This experience leads to higher quality surrogacy services and lower costs.
