Surrogate Steps, LLC is a for-profit, full-service surrogacy agency based in Bethesda, Maryland, and operating since 2013. It is led by its founder and director, assisted reproductive technology attorney Yifat Shaltiel, Esq., and describes itself as "attorney-directed." According to the agency, its team brings together surrogacy specialists, reproductive attorneys, medical professionals and former surrogates, and the agency says it is licensed.
The agency coordinates complete journeys for both intended parents and gestational carriers, which the agency describes as covering matching, medical and legal coordination, and support through the length of a journey. Its own team page describes a small staff made up of intake coordinators for surrogates and intended parents, journey coordinators, and the attorney-director.
Surrogate Steps works with LGBTQ+ intended parents, single parents and intended parents living outside the United States. Surrogates it works with are based in the United States; residency, citizenship and other eligibility requirements, along with published fee and compensation information, appear in the tables further down this page. The agency publishes its fees.
Surrogate Steps is listed in the Men Having Babies surrogacy directory. The agency also runs an affiliate and referral program that pays commissions and bonuses to people who refer intended parents or surrogates to it.
The registered address is a private mailbox suite in Bethesda, consistent with a distributed team rather than a single large office, and the agency maintains an active online presence through its website, Facebook page and LinkedIn.
AI summary of 18 reviews · can make mistakes
Reviewers are consistently positive about Surrogate Steps, often describing a warm, caring team that feels personal and supportive throughout the process. Many mention staff who are knowledgeable, responsive and quick to answer questions. Surrogates in particular frequently praise how well they were matched with their intended parents.
18 reviews match these filters.
As a first time surrogate I had an amazing pregnancy and journey. My case manager Rachel was attentive, compassionate and supportive as long with the rest of the team. Michelle was also amazing and attentive throughout journey. They have a supportive team and a pretty good matching system. I do rec this agency. It was my please to assist with helping my IP’s complete their dream. Thanks Surrogate Steps!
View on Google (opens in a new tab)Our experience with Surrogate Steps was truly wonderful. Before finding Yifat and her team, we spoke with many other agencies, but Yifat was the first person who was genuinely clear and transparent about the financial aspects, timelines, and the realities of the surrogacy process. Throughout the journey, Whitney and Michelle were absolutely amazing. During the pregnancy, they consistently provided support, answered all our questions, and guided us through every step with patience and compassion. We are deeply grateful to Surrogate Steps for helping make our dream of becoming parents a reality. Thank you to the entire team!
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I used surrogate steps to complete my journey as a gestational carrier. It was a wonderful experience. I truly appreciated the legal advice, the way they handled the finances, and the matching was exactly perfect for how I envisioned my intended parents to be. They worked with me when others wouldn’t because of my age! I would absolutely recommend them for any perspective surrogate.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I'm in the beginning stages with surrogate steps becoming a surrogate. Everyone is so kind and answers any questions you may have. They are prompt. Knowledgeable! MICHELLE from surrogate steps has been nothing but amazing! She is great! Very helpful and nice!
View on Google (opens in a new tab)Google reviews are shown as written and link to the original. Reviewer type is inferred from what each reviewer wrote.
Base compensation
From $40,000
Published by the agency. Benefits and allowances are usually on top of this.
Requirements change — confirm with the agency before applying.
See which agencies fit youSurrogate Steps requires surrogates to have a BMI of 38 or lower.
Yes. Surrogate Steps requires surrogates to be raising at least one child of their own.
No. Surrogate Steps requires surrogates to be non-smokers.
Surrogate Steps's citizenship or residency requirement for surrogates: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder); must reside in the United States and hold a current driver's license or government-issued ID.
Yes. Surrogate Steps does not accept surrogates who live in: Nebraska, Louisiana.
