Comparing Surrogacy in the USA, Canada, and Mexico

Choosing where to begin your surrogacy journey can be overwhelming.
Each country offers different benefits — and potential risks.
Here’s how the U.S., Canada, and Mexico compare across the most important factors: cost, legality, ethics, and success rates.

Cost Comparison

Country	Average Total Cost	Compensation Type	Notes
USA	$120K–$160K	Compensated	Best medical oversight, high legal clarity
Canada	$85K–$95K	Altruistic	Cost-effective, strong ethics
Mexico	$70K–$90K	Compensated (limited regions)	Cheaper but legally complex

While Mexico may appear cheaper, legal protection and newborn citizenship can be challenging for foreign parents.

Legal Frameworks

• USA: State-based regulation; strong parental rights in CA, NY, IL.
• Canada: Federal altruistic law; legal but non-commercial.
• Mexico: Legal only in select states (e.g., Tabasco, Sinaloa); others prohibit it.

Always verify regional laws and partner with a licensed international agency like Surrogacy4All.

Medical Care and Fertility Standards

Country	IVF & Testing Quality	Clinic Oversight
USA	World-class labs, FDA-level screening	Physician-led
Canada	Identical standards, Health Canada approved	Fully regulated
Mexico	Mixed quality	Must vet clinic credentials carefully

We only partner with accredited international fertility centers to protect patients and surrogates.

Ethical and Emotional Considerations

Canada leads globally for transparency and respect in surrogacy.
Intended parents often say the experience feels more personal and emotionally connected than in lower-cost destinations.

“We looked at Mexico but chose Canada for safety and kindness. It was worth every dollar.”
— Maria & John, Los Angeles