Donor eggs, donor sperm, surrogacy: overview and cost ranges
Paths people don't always know are available — and what they cost.
Donor sperm
US donor sperm runs $700–$1,200 per vial from major banks (California Cryobank, Fairfax, Seattle Sperm Bank, NW Cryobank). Most IUI cycles use 1 vial; backup vials add cost. ID-disclosure (open) donors are increasingly common and many banks now require it for new donors.
Donor eggs
Fresh donor egg cycles in the US average $35,000–$60,000 (donor compensation, screening, retrieval, and IVF). Frozen donor egg banks (Donor Egg Bank USA, MyEggBank, others) typically run $20,000–$30,000 for a guaranteed-egg lot. Per-transfer success rates are high (50%+ live birth) because donor age is the dominant factor.
Donor embryos
An often-overlooked path. Donated embryos from people who completed their families can be received for $5,000–$15,000 through programs like Snowflakes (Nightlight Christian Adoptions) or directly through fertility clinics. Lower cost and higher success per transfer than fresh donor egg.
Gestational surrogacy
All-in US surrogacy costs typically run $120,000–$250,000+ including agency, legal, surrogate compensation, escrow, medical, and insurance. State laws vary widely — some states (California, Nevada, Illinois) have favorable surrogacy statutes; others (Michigan, Louisiana, Nebraska) restrict or prohibit compensated surrogacy. A reproductive law attorney is non-optional.
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- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
- RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
- SART — Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
Cited figures (cycle counts, dollar ranges, mandate lists) reflect publicly available data as of early 2026. Always confirm specific numbers against the linked sources before relying on them — pricing, protocols, and laws change.
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