Surrogacy in Los Angeles
Los Angeles isn’t just California’s largest city—it’s the center of modern surrogacy. With world-class IVF clinics, trusted legal systems, and compassionate surrogates, Greater LA connects families from across the U.S. and around the world.
About Surrogacy in Los Angeles
When people think of surrogacy in California, they often picture Greater Los Angeles—not just the City of LA, but LA County, Orange County, the Inland Empire (Riverside & San Bernardino), and parts of Ventura County.
This region has one of the highest concentrations of full-service IVF centers and reproductive endocrinologists in the United States, along with experienced courts and hospitals familiar with surrogacy logistics.
What Makes Los Angeles Different for Surrogacy
- Medical-necessity standards differ by region. In Greater LA, many IVF physicians do not require a strict medical indication to pursue surrogacy—unlike many out-of-state and Northern California practices.
- Transparent outcomes. We encourage every family to verify clinic performance on the CDC ART site and read our guide on interpreting success rates.
At Ivy Surrogacy, our Southern California-based team acts as your local guide—whether you’re an intended parent or considering becoming a surrogate.
For Intended Parents
1. Premier Clinic Access Without the Beverly Hills Stereotype
Greater LA spans dozens of full-service IVF programs across Pasadena, Santa Monica, Encino, Newport Beach, Irvine, Thousand Oaks and more. You’re choosing from a broad, diverse ecosystem—not a single neighborhood.
2. Practical Logistics
Three major airports serve the region: LAX (Los Angeles), SNA/John Wayne (Orange County), and ONT (Ontario/Inland Empire)—ideal for domestic and international travel.
3. Experienced Legal and Hospital Processes
Courts and hospitals in LA and OC routinely handle Pre-Birth Orders (PBOs), Power of Attorney (POA) for newborn discharge, and international family logistics. Policies can vary by hospital, and Ivy coordinates requirements in advance to keep everything smooth.
4. Multicultural Support
You’ll find coordinators and services in Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, Arabic and more—plus postpartum care, international groceries and culturally familiar accommodations.
📖 For California-wide cost, process and legal details, see our Surrogacy in California page.
For Surrogates
1. Monitoring Close to Home
Southern California’s clinic and lab density lets you complete most monitoring appointments near where you live (LA/OC/IE), minimizing disruption to family and work.
2. Delivery and Local Coordination
Gestational carriers deliver at their own local hospitals close to family support. Ivy coordinates with your OB and hospital teams well ahead of time.
3. In-Person Support You Can Count On
We’re a local team. We attend your medical screening, embryo transfer, and delivery—without exception. Between milestones, we’re available and nearby whenever you need us.
📖 For compensation and eligibility, visit California Surrogate Requirements & Pay.
Local IVF Clinics in Los Angeles
1. HRC Fertility
Where: Multiple Southern California locations (e.g., Pasadena, Encino, Newport Beach, Irvine)
Highlights: One of Southern California’s largest IVF networks; offers international packages and multilingual coordination. HRC requires Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) evaluation for all surrogates — a specialized assessment by a perinatal expert to ensure the surrogate’s medical readiness for pregnancy.
2. Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (FSAC)
Where: Thousand Oaks (Ventura County)
Highlights: Full-service fertility center with package pricing and multilingual support.
3. Westwood Fertility Institute (WFI)
Where: Encino (Los Angeles County)
Highlights: Boutique center offering personalized plans, package options, and international client experience.
4. Life IVF Center
Where: Irvine (Orange County) & Arcadia (Los Angeles County)
Specialty: Mini-IVF and Natural-Cycle IVF; ideal for older patients or those with diminished ovarian reserve. Offers egg-bank services and multilingual staff.
Disclaimer: Informational only – not endorsements. Always confirm current programs, languages and outcomes directly with each clinic.
Local Resources
Hospitals in Greater LA typically handle birth record registration at discharge, but parents (or their representatives) must still complete the hospital’s birth information form and provide the Pre-Birth Order (PBO) to the birth clerk. Most hospitals in Los Angeles County now accept electronic PBO filings, which helps ensure the correct parent names appear on the birth certificate. Processing times and rules vary by county.
1. Birth Certificates – County Offices
- Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (Norwalk)
12400 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk CA 90650. Request certified copies in person, by mail or online at lavote.gov. - Orange County Clerk-Recorder (Santa Ana)
601 N Ross St, Santa Ana CA 92701. Same-day issuance often available; see ocrecorder.com. - Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder (Gateway Main Office)
2724 Gateway Dr, Riverside CA 92507. Appointments recommended; see rivcoacr.org. - San Bernardino County Department of Public Health
340 N Mountain View Ave, San Bernardino CA 92415. Visit sanbernardinohdcavitals.permitium.com/rod for office hours. - Ventura County Clerk-Recorder (Government Center)
800 S Victoria Ave, Ventura CA 93009 (Hall of Administration). See clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov for details.
2. U.S. Passport – West Los Angeles Federal Building
- Address: 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1000, Los Angeles CA 90024
- Appointment: 1-877-487-2778 (“1-877-4USA-PPT”) | TTY 1-888-874-7793
- Hours: Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (by appointment only)
3. Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles
443 Shatto Place, Los Angeles CA 90020 | Phone (213) 807-8088
Assists with Chinese travel certificate and visa services for newborns born in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
4. Social Security Number (SSN)
Most Greater LA hospitals submit SSN applications with the birth record, but a few may not for surrogacy births. If so, parents must apply in person at a local Social Security Administration office with the required documents. Ivy verifies your hospital’s policy before discharge.
Los Angeles Surrogacy FAQ
1. Do I Need to Live in Los Angeles City to Do Surrogacy?
No. Intended parents and surrogates come from across LA County, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino—or from other states and countries. The region’s airports and clinic network make travel manageable.
2. How Is Los Angeles Different from Other California Cities for Surrogacy?
California’s laws are equally supportive statewide. What sets LA apart is its scale, international infrastructure, and clinic policies—many LA-area IVF physicians do not require a medical indication for surrogacy, unlike some out-of-state and Northern California programs.
3. What If the Hospital Does Not File the SSN for Our Surrogacy-Born Baby?
It’s uncommon but possible. We check in advance. If the hospital cannot submit, you will apply at a local SSA office after receiving the birth certificate.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Whether you're looking to become a surrogate or start your family through surrogacy, we're here to guide you every step of the way.