The right agency should make the journey clearer

Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most important early decisions intended parents will make. The right partner should do more than introduce you to a potential surrogate. It should help you understand the process, prepare for the costs and decisions ahead, coordinate essential professionals, and support both you and your surrogate throughout the journey.

Agencies can differ significantly in how they screen candidates, create matches, structure fees, coordinate care, and communicate. Before you commit, look beyond a promised match time or a polished sales call. Ask how the system works when things are going well and what support is available when the journey becomes complicated.

1. Understand how matching works

Ask who can view profiles, who initiates contact, how compatibility is assessed, and whether either party can decline a potential match without pressure. A strong process should allow intended parents and surrogates to make informed, mutual decisions.

At Nodal, approved surrogates can review intended parent profiles and make the first move. If interest is mutual, our team helps arrange a conversation before the match is made official. This approach gives surrogates agency in the decision and helps both sides begin with genuine interest rather than an assignment.

2. Ask what screening happens and when

Screening should be explained in concrete terms. Ask which records are reviewed before a profile becomes active, whether background and psychological screening are included, what medical clearance is completed through the fertility clinic, and what happens if a candidate is not approved.

No screening process can eliminate every risk, but clear standards and qualified review can help families make better-informed decisions. The agency should also distinguish preliminary record review from the medical workup and final clearance performed by the intended parents' fertility clinic.

3. Look closely at clinical and legal expertise

Surrogacy sits at the intersection of reproductive medicine, law, insurance, logistics, and human relationships. Ask who is on the team and when you will have access to clinical, legal, or case-management guidance. An agency should also be candid about which professionals are in-house and which independent specialists you will need to retain.

Nodal was founded by practicing reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Brian Levine. Our broader team includes clinical, legal, and case-management experience, allowing medical oversight and practical support to inform the structure of the journey from the beginning. Intended parents and surrogates should still receive independent medical and legal advice where appropriate.

4. Request the complete fee structure

Ask for written pricing before signing. Review the agency or platform fee, case-management costs, screening expenses, surrogate compensation, insurance, legal fees, escrow, travel, clinic costs, and possible contingency expenses. Find out which payments are refundable, which are credited toward later fees, and what happens financially if a match ends.

Nodal publishes its pricing and explains its fee structure at the beginning of the process. Because pricing and included services can change, prospective clients should review the current written terms and ask questions before enrolling.

5. Compare support after the match

Matching is only one milestone. Ask who coordinates clinic communication, legal steps, insurance review, travel, reimbursements, pregnancy updates, and unexpected problems. Find out how often your case manager communicates, whether there is after-hours support, and how responsibilities are divided among the agency, fertility clinic, attorneys, escrow provider, and other specialists.

You should know exactly who to contact at each stage rather than trying to assemble the process on your own after a match is made.

6. Evaluate communication and transparency

Pay attention to the experience you have before signing. Are answers specific? Are limitations acknowledged? Are policies provided in writing? Does the team explain both the likely path and the situations that could create delays or additional costs?

Transparency does not mean promising that every journey will be fast or uncomplicated. It means giving families enough information to understand the process, the tradeoffs, and the responsibilities involved.

7. Read reviews with context

Independent reviews can reveal patterns in communication, support, matching, and fee experiences. Read feedback from both intended parents and surrogates, and look for detailed accounts rather than relying only on a star rating. Ask the agency directly about any recurring concerns you find and evaluate whether the response is clear and accountable.

You can review Nodal's profile and public feedback on Surrogacy Network as part of your research. No agency will be the right fit for every family, so use reviews as one part of a broader comparison.

10 questions to ask before choosing an agency

1. How does matching work, and who makes the first move? 
2. What must happen before a profile becomes active? 
3. Which medical, psychological, and background screenings are included? 
4. Who reviews medical records? 
5. What services are included before and after the match? 
6. Which services require outside professionals? 
7. What is the complete fee and refund structure? 
8. Who supports each party when a problem arises? 
9. How are rematching and failed matches handled? 
10. Can I review the agreement and written policies before paying?

Is Nodal the right fit for your journey

Nodal was built to give intended parents and surrogates a more active, transparent matching experience backed by dedicated support. There is no traditional static waitlist: approved members participate in a dynamic platform, and surrogates initiate contact with intended parents they are interested in meeting.

If that approach aligns with what you want from your journey, visit Nodal to learn how the platform, screening, pricing, and case-management services work. Take the time to compare your options, ask direct questions, and choose the team that makes you feel both informed and supported.

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