Ask your surrogate's clinic to confirm it will accept your embryos, sign release consent at your current clinic, then book a courier to move them before her transfer cycle starts. Your agency's case manager can help coordinate, and starting early leaves room for paperwork.
When embryos need to move
Many gestational carriers are treated at a clinic near where they live, which may be in a different state or country from where your embryos were created. The embryos need to arrive and be safely in storage before the carrier's transfer cycle is scheduled, so plan the move as soon as the match is confirmed.
Who's involved
- You, as the intended parents, sign the release consent.
- Your current clinic releases the embryos and prepares the shipper.
- Your surrogate's clinic accepts and stores the embryos and runs the transfer cycle.
- Your agency's case manager keeps the timeline and the parties aligned.
- Your courier coordinates the date and carries the embryos between clinics.
Step by step
- Confirm acceptance. Ask the surrogate's clinic to confirm in writing that it will accept your embryos, and to check it can thaw embryos frozen with your current clinic's method and device.
- Sign release consent. Your current clinic will provide the forms. Some require notarised signatures from both intended parents.
- Share records. Send your embryology report to the receiving clinic, along with any donor eligibility records if donor eggs or sperm were used.
- Settle fees. Clear any storage fees at your current clinic and ask about release and intake fees.
- Book your courier. Share both clinics' details and the surrogate's expected cycle dates so the move can be planned backwards from them.
- Move and confirm. Your embryos are collected, carried and signed into storage at the new clinic, and everyone receives written confirmation.
If your surrogate is in another country
International surrogacy adds import rules and customs to the plan. Some countries require an import approval before embryos can arrive, and the receiving clinic may ask for extra screening records. Read our guide to international embryo shipping, and bring us in early so we can map out what your route needs.
Getting the timing right
Aim to have your embryos in storage at the surrogate's clinic well before her medication starts. That leaves room for a delayed signature or a rescheduled lab date without affecting the cycle. If you're working to a tight timeline, tell us. We'll be clear about what's realistic.
For surrogacy agencies
We work with surrogacy agencies regularly and coordinate directly with case managers, clinics and intended parents, so your team isn't chasing paperwork. Learn about partnering with Vessel.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays to ship embryos to a surrogate's clinic?
Usually the intended parents, often as part of the surrogacy budget managed with the agency.
How early should we move the embryos?
As soon as the match is confirmed and the surrogate's clinic has accepted the embryos. They should be in storage there well before her transfer cycle begins.
Can you work with our agency's case manager?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with surrogacy agencies and keep the case manager, both clinics and the intended parents updated.
