To move embryos between clinics, you sign release consent at your current clinic, get written acceptance from the new clinic, settle any storage fees, then book a courier to carry them. Most of the time goes into paperwork, so start early and involve both clinics from day one.
Why people move their embryos
- Moving to a new city, state or country.
- Switching to a clinic with a different specialist, success rate or cost.
- Using a gestational carrier whose clinic is somewhere else.
- Consolidating embryos stored at more than one clinic.
- Moving into a long-term storage facility, or out of one ahead of treatment.
The process, step by step
- Tell your current clinic. Ask for their embryo release process and forms. Many clinics require both intended parents to sign, and some require signatures to be notarised.
- Choose and contact the receiving clinic. Ask them to confirm in writing that they'll accept your embryos. This is often called an acceptance letter.
- Request your embryology records. The receiving lab will want to know how many embryos there are, their stage, the freezing method and the storage device used.
- Settle any outstanding fees. Clinics usually won't release embryos while storage fees are unpaid. Ask about any release or shipper-preparation fees too.
- Book your courier. Send us both clinics' details and your preferred timing. We'll confirm a plan and a quote.
- Agree the date. We coordinate a collection and delivery date that suits both laboratories.
- Collection and travel. The releasing clinic loads and seals the dry shipper, and your specialist signs custody and carries it to the new clinic.
- Handover and confirmation. The receiving clinic signs for the embryos and moves them into storage. Everyone receives written confirmation.
Checklist before you book
- Release consent signed by everyone the clinic requires (and notarised, if asked)
- Written acceptance from the receiving clinic
- Embryology report: number of embryos, stage, freezing method and storage device
- Storage fees at the releasing clinic paid up to date
- Contact names and opening hours for both embryology labs
- Donor eligibility records, if donor eggs, donor sperm or donated embryos are involved
- Any extra documents for an international move (see our international guide)
- Your preferred transfer window, and any treatment dates it needs to fit around
A note on lab compatibility
Embryos are frozen on small storage devices, and different clinics use different devices and warming protocols. Before the move, the receiving clinic's embryologists should confirm they can store and thaw embryos frozen on your current clinic's device and method. Sharing your embryology report early lets them check this without holding up the date.
How long it takes
The journey itself is usually the shortest part: same day for many domestic routes, a day or two for longer or international ones. The timeline is mostly set by how quickly forms are signed and both clinics confirm. If you have a treatment or transfer date coming up, tell us early so we can plan backwards from it.
Moving embryos for a surrogacy journey
If your gestational carrier is being treated at a different clinic, your embryos will need to move there before her transfer cycle. Your agency and both clinics will each have their own requirements. We work with surrogacy agencies regularly and can coordinate directly with your case manager. Read shipping embryos to your surrogate's clinic for the details.
Frequently asked questions
Do both partners have to sign to release embryos?
Usually, yes. Most clinics require consent from everyone who has a legal interest in the embryos, and some ask for notarised signatures. Your clinic will confirm exactly what it needs.
Can my clinic refuse to release my embryos?
A clinic can hold off until its requirements are met, most often signed consent, a receiving clinic's acceptance or unpaid storage fees. Once those are in place, release is normally straightforward.
Do I need to tell my new clinic before booking a courier?
Yes. The receiving clinic must agree to accept your embryos and confirm it can store them before anything moves. We'll coordinate the date with their team.
Can embryos be split between two clinics?
Often, yes. Some families move only part of their stored embryos. Ask your current clinic how they handle partial releases, since it depends on how the embryos were stored.
How much does it cost to move embryos between clinics?
It depends on the route, distance and timing, plus any fees the clinics charge. See our guide to embryo shipping costs for a full breakdown.
