What is The Genesis Group?

The Genesis Group is an egg donation and fertility agency that facilitates journeys between intended parents and egg donors. Founded in 2003, they are one of the most experienced and trusted egg donation agencies in the United States. They work with egg donors, intended parents, surrogates, and sperm donors from a diverse background, coordinating in-state, out-of-state, and international fertility journeys.

What makes The Genesis Group different from other egg donation agencies?

The Genesis Group emphasizes customized compensation, dedicated case manager support, and a matching process designed around donor comfort and empowerment. With over two decades of experience, they have well-established, firsthand expertise navigating fertility journeys and facilitating safe, rewarding egg donations. They are also committed to an ethics-first approach through their founding member status in The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS).

Do you work with international intended parents for egg donation?

Yes, The Genesis Group works with intended parents both in the U.S. and internationally. Donors can set their matching preferences, if any, while building their egg donor profile.

How do I become an egg donor?

Becoming an egg donor with The Genesis Group follows these steps: Complete a five-minute online application to see if you qualify. Once approved, build your anonymous donor profile alongside the team, including photos, personality questions, academic records, family history, and desired compensation. Complete any needed paperwork from your donor coordinator. When an intended parent shows interest in your profile, a match meeting is scheduled or their profile is shared for your review. If you choose to move forward, the match commences and you officially begin your egg donation journey.

How do I apply to become an egg donor?

You can apply to become a Genesis egg donor by completing a five-minute online application at genesissurrogacy.com. If you meet the basic qualifications, you will be invited via email to build a profile in the private database and submit details like photos, family background, and medical history. From there, the team will walk you through screening, profile approval, matching, and your egg donation cycle.

What happens after I complete my egg donor profile?

Once your egg donor profile is approved and your documents are complete, your profile is added to the donor database and presented to intended parents who may be a good match. Intended parents may ask for follow-up questions, more photos, or request a meeting based on your contact preferences. Your coordinator will facilitate this communication, after which you decide whether or not to match. Once you mutually agree to move forward, the match officially commences.

What happens after I am matched as an egg donor?

Following your match, the egg donation timeline typically includes: a psychological evaluation and genetic screening; bloodwork early in your cycle (often on day 3 of your period); a medical screening appointment at the clinic; possible birth control to sync your cycle; legal review and signing of your donor agreement once medically cleared; a medication calendar and estimated retrieval date issued by the clinic; and then medications and monitoring appointments leading up to egg retrieval.

How long does the egg donation cycle take after I match?

Once matched with an intended parent or family, the process usually takes around 2 to 3 months from start to finish. The final weeks are the most time-intensive because monitoring appointments are frequent throughout your daily medication cycle, usually in the early morning.

What are the requirements to become an egg donor?

To become an egg donor at The Genesis Group, you typically need to meet the following criteria: you are between the ages of 21-29 or a previous donor; you are a non-smoker and do not use drugs; you are currently enrolled in or have completed university; you have a BMI within a healthy range per IVF clinic requirements; your family has a strong health history and medical background; you have typical, regular menstrual cycles; and you do not use or are willing to pause any implant-based birth control.

What can disqualify you from being an egg donor?

Common disqualifiers include: current smoking or nicotine use; BMI outside clinic limits, typically above 29; significant medical concerns or risk factors in family history; irregular cycles that would complicate treatment and medications; certain medications or health conditions; and in some cases, an incomplete medical or family history.

How old do you have to be to donate eggs?

Egg donors are typically accepted between ages 21 and 29, with some flexibility for proven previous donors. This is in line with clinic restrictions based on the age range for highest fertility in women.

How many times can you donate eggs?

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends limiting egg donation to 6 total treatment cycles in a donor's lifetime, based on the physical demands of repeated ovarian stimulation and retrieval procedures.

Can I donate eggs if I'm on birth control?

It depends on the type of birth control you use. Many donors can still qualify if they're on certain forms of birth control, and clinics often use birth control pills as part of their cycle scheduling. If you use an implant-based method such as an implant or some IUDs, you may need to pause or remove it for at least 3-6 months before starting your cycle to allow better control of medication and retrieval timing.

Can I donate eggs if I'm in college?

Yes. In many cases, college students are a strong fit for donor programs. Current enrollment or having completed university can help with eligibility and matching based on the preferences of intended parents, who often consider educational background as part of their donor selection process.

Can I donate eggs if I've had my tubes tied?

Yes. Egg donation is still possible if you've had your tubes tied because eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries. The fallopian tubes are not involved in the egg retrieval process.

Can I be an egg donor if I am overweight?

Egg donor requirements are set by IVF clinics and based on BMI, due to the impact it can have on response to injected medication, egg quality, and cycle safety. The Genesis Group currently requires donors to have a BMI of 29 or less based on the restrictions placed by the IVF clinics with whom they frequently partner.

Can I be an egg donor if I smoke?

No, egg donors must be non-smokers, including no nicotine use. Clinics may test for nicotine during the cycle, and a positive test can result in cancellation. If you have smoked in the past, you must be nicotine-free for at least 3 months before applying.

Do I need to know my family medical history to donate eggs?

Yes, you will be asked to provide family medical history when building your profile. Intended parents and IVF clinics rely on this information during genetic screening to better understand your background and any potential genetic incompatibilities.

Can I be an egg donor if I'm adopted?

Yes, provided you have access to your biological family's medical history. Because egg donation involves passing on genetic information, clinics usually require a clear family medical history. If your adoption was closed and your medical history is unknown, it may be more difficult to match or receive clinic approval.

Can I donate eggs if I have anxiety, depression, or ADHD?

A history of anxiety, depression, or ADHD may not automatically disqualify you, but it will be reviewed as part of your screening process. Clinics assess the severity of symptoms, whether they are well-managed, your current treatment plan, and whether a doctor or mental health provider clears you to move forward. In some cases, additional psychological evaluation may be required before approval, and current medication can result in disqualification.

What are the levels of contact in egg donation?

Egg donation can be anonymous, semi-open, or open, depending on what everyone agrees to. Many egg donation journeys are anonymous while others are semi-open or open, meaning there is an agreed-upon level of contact between the donor, the intended parents, and the future child.

Is egg donation at The Genesis Group anonymous or open?

Most egg donation cycles are anonymous, but some intended parents and donors prefer more open arrangements. Donor preferences are discussed during the application process so matches are only made with families who align with the donor's comfort level.

Will I meet the intended parents to whom I donate my eggs?

When building your egg donor profile with The Genesis Group, you have the opportunity to set your journey preferences including your desired level of contact with the intended parents. If you would like to meet the parents before approving a match, a meeting will be facilitated provided all parties are comfortable doing so.

How does egg donation work if I'm not local to the intended parents' doctor?

If you are open to travel, you may go to the intended parents' clinic for an initial visit and then complete monitoring appointments at a clinic closer to home during the medication phase. A few days before retrieval, you will travel to the intended parents' clinic and typically stay for 5-10 days depending on clinic policy. A companion is required on the day of egg retrieval, and all travel expenses including transportation for your companion are covered by the intended parents.

How much can egg donors make?

At The Genesis Group, egg donor compensation can vary based on experience, qualifications, educational background, compatibility with intended parents, and fertility history. Top egg donors can earn up to $40,000-$100,000+, while many choose a lower compensation to increase their chances of matching faster with the right intended parent or couple.

Does it cost me anything to be an egg donor?

No, there is no cost to becoming an egg donor. The intended parents you match with will cover all cycle-related expenses, including medical costs and travel.

When do I get paid as an egg donor?

Egg donors are typically given a medication start fee when they begin stimulation medications, and the remaining compensation is paid after the retrieval takes place, usually within a few days. Compensation is set entirely by the egg donor and listed on their profile. Compensation may increase with repeat cycles and a proven donation track record.

How does The Genesis Group manage and protect the funds for my egg donation journey?

The Genesis Group uses independent, third-party escrow companies to safely hold funds for your journey and compensation. Intended parents choose from reputable escrow firms such as SeedTrust or Clarity. Funds are not held in-house, and unverified or newly established escrow companies are not permitted to ensure compensation and funds are protected throughout the journey.

What medications do egg donors take?

Most egg donors take a combination of fertility medications to help the ovaries mature multiple eggs safely and on schedule. A typical cycle may include birth control pills to regulate and sync the cycle; stimulation medications (FSH/LH) to grow follicles and mature eggs; a medication to prevent early ovulation; a trigger shot immediately before retrieval; and sometimes antibiotics or other medications around retrieval. Each donor's protocol is customized by the fertility clinic.

Do egg donor injections hurt?

Most donors find that injections can sometimes be uncomfortable rather than painful. They are usually given with very small needles, often in the lower abdomen, and many donors say they feel like a quick pinch.

What tests are required to become an egg donor?

Before starting an egg donation journey, donors complete a medical screening and a baseline appointment. Screening usually includes bloodwork for hormones and infectious disease, an ultrasound and ovarian reserve review, genetic screening and family history review, a psychological evaluation, and a medical history review. At the baseline appointment, testing includes AMH testing for fertility, bloodwork for estrogen levels, and uterine lining testing.

What happens at the egg donor medical screening?

The screening appointment confirms medical eligibility to move forward as an egg donor. It usually includes a general health review, bloodwork, fertility testing including AMH to check ovarian reserve, an ultrasound to look at follicles, and standard screenings like infectious disease and drug testing. Depending on the clinic, genetic testing and final paperwork may also be completed at this stage.

What happens at the egg donor baseline appointment?

The baseline appointment happens after screening and right before medications begin. At this visit, the clinic checks that hormone and estrogen levels, ovarian reserve, and uterine lining are where they need to be to start the medication cycle. This appointment usually includes an ultrasound, bloodwork, and medication instructions for the next phase.

What side effects are common during egg donation?

Common short-term side effects can include bloating, cramping, fatigue, mood changes, and mild discomfort during stimulation or following retrieval. Many donors recover quickly, but everyone responds a little differently. Your clinic and case manager will advise on what is normal and what should be reported.

What should I avoid during an egg donation cycle?

Common restrictions during an egg donation cycle include avoiding smoking and nicotine, heavy drinking or drug use, strenuous or high-impact exercise especially late in stimulation and following retrieval, unprotected sex depending on clinic instructions, and missing or mistiming medications. Timing is crucial during a donor cycle and your clinic will provide exact instructions.

What are the warning signs of OHSS?

OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) is uncommon but important to recognize. Contact your clinic right away if you experience severe or worsening abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, significant bloating, heavy bleeding, fever, shortness of breath, or severe nausea and vomiting. Your clinic will provide a specific aftercare list of symptoms to watch for after retrieval.

How long does the egg retrieval procedure take?

The egg retrieval procedure usually takes about 20 minutes, but you should plan for a longer clinic visit overall. Between check-in, preparation, sedation, and recovery, the full appointment is often 2-3 hours. You should take the whole day off and have a companion to drive you to and from the clinic.

How long is recovery after egg retrieval?

Most donors recover after a couple of days, but recovery can vary. You will typically rest in the clinic for 30-60 minutes following the procedure, then take the rest of the day off. Mild bloating, cramping, and fatigue are common for a few days, and it is best to avoid strenuous activity until your doctor clears you.

Will I need someone to drive me home after egg retrieval?

Yes. Because retrieval is done under sedation and light anesthesia, you will need a companion to drive you home afterward.

Will I need to take time off work or school for egg donation?

Most appointments are scheduled in the early morning, which helps many donors avoid major conflicts with work or school. The Genesis Group's team will work around your schedule to ensure the process is not intrusive to your daily life. The main day you will need to set aside is the day of your egg retrieval, and if travel is required, the time for your stay near the clinic.

How will I be supported as an egg donor during my cycle?

At The Genesis Group, you will have a dedicated case manager to help coordinate appointments and communication, answer questions, and guide you through each phase of the cycle.

What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in egg donation?

OHSS is a rare response to fertility medications that can cause symptoms like bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or flu-like symptoms. In most cases symptoms are mild and improve on their own, but more serious cases may require medical attention. The clinic will monitor hormone levels and follicles closely throughout your cycle to reduce the risk.

意定父母

常見問題

Curious about our process, our agency, or requirements to become a Genesis parent?

Below are the most common questions intended parents as well as surrogates and donors ask our team.

Intended Parent Basics

An intended parent is an individual who plans to become the parent of a child born through assisted reproduction, such as egg donation, sperm donation, or gestational surrogacy.
We work with a diverse range of intended parents, including individuals and couples pursuing parenthood through egg donation, sperm donation, surrogacy, or a combination of these services. Because every journey is different, we begin with a consultation to understand your family-building goals, preferences, and circumstances.
We are proud to have a database of donors and surrogates that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our parents, and we are happy to tailor our outreach and candidate recruitment to your unique needs.
The Genesis Group facilitates egg donation, sperm donation, and gestational surrogacy. Some families may need only one of these services, while others may use multiple services as part of the same fertility journey.
An agency provides coordination and support across the many moving parts of third-party reproduction. At Genesis, your dedicated case manager helps coordinate communication, matching, medical appointments, legal steps, escrow, travel, and other logistics so that you have one experienced team guiding the process from beginning to end.
We connect you to or work with your preferred third party escrow and legal services throughout your journey as well. Rather than offer these services in-house, coordinating with reliable third parties ensures that you and all parties involved in your fertility journey are free of any conflict of interest. We believe this arrangement alongside our team keeps you best protected.

About The Genesis Group

The Genesis Group is an egg donation and fertility agency that facilitates journeys between intended parents and egg donors who join our program. Founded in 2003, we are one of the most experienced and trusted egg donation agencies in the United States.
We work with egg donors and intended parents, as well as surrogates and sperm donors from a diverse background. We coordinate in-state, out-of-state, and international fertility journeys and take pride in offering all of our Genesis donors industry-leading care through a commitment to your personal needs, ethics, and expectations.
The Genesis Group was founded in 2003 and has more than two decades of experience guiding families through fertility journeys. As our president and former intended parent Lisa Chiya always says, what makes Genesis special is our team.
Our team includes professionals with firsthand experience as intended parents, surrogates, and fertility advocates. We focus on individualized support, transparency, ethics, and experienced coordination rather than treating every journey the same.
With over two decades of experience, we have well-established, firsthand expertise navigating fertility journeys and facilitating safe, fulfilling egg donation, sperm donation, and surrogacy journeys.
No. The Genesis Group coordinates local, nationwide, and international fertility journeys. Our team is based in Pasadena, California, but your journey does not need to be located in California. We have a remote team with members residing nationwide and internationally as well.
Yes. The Genesis Group works with intended parents from the United States and internationally. Around 25% of our intended parents have historically come from countries including China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Getting Started With Genesis

The first step is to complete our intended parent application. After you apply, a Genesis representative will connect with you for a one-on-one consultation to learn about your goals, explain the process, and answer your questions. You will also gain access to our private donor and surrogate database to review profiles as you develop your own alongside our team.
No. Applying to our program and accessing our database is commitment-free. You are welcome to speak with our team and learn more about your options before deciding whether to move forward.
You can complete our online application and a Genesis representative will contact you to activate your account. You can also contact our office directly with any questions or assistance with the application and access to the database.
Your profile is created alongside our team and generally includes a short biography, information about what you are looking for in a donor and/or surrogate, and personality questions that help us better understand you and your family. We will use information you provide to recommend candidates as well as allow your selected candidates to review your profile while matching.
Your access depends on the type of journey you are pursuing and the candidates available in our program. Profiles are designed to provide information that helps you understand a candidate's background, personality, family and health history, previous donor/surrogate status, education, and other relevant characteristics before deciding whether you would like to explore a potential match.
Yes. If you do not find a candidate who feels like the right fit in our current database, our dedicated marketing and outreach team can actively search for donors or surrogates based on your specific needs. We direct these efforts toward your criteria at no additional cost to you.

Finding Your Match

Once you identify a donor or surrogate you are interested in, our team facilitates the communication and matching process. Depending on everyone's preferences, this may include a video call, meeting over the phone, or another form of communication that feels comfortable for all parties. A match moves forward only when you and your desired candidate mutually agree to proceed.
There is no universal timeline for matching. It depends on your preferences, the candidates available at the time, and how closely those candidates align with what you are looking for. Some families may find a match quickly, while others may benefit from a more targeted search.
Your dedicated case manager reviews incoming profiles daily, working within your preferences to recommend incoming donors and surrogates that match your journey’s needs.
For available egg donors, sperm donors, and gestational carriers, we generally handle expressions of interest on a first-come, first-served basis. If you see a candidate you are seriously interested in, we recommend contacting your case manager promptly so we can confirm availability and discuss next steps.
Let your case manager know as soon as possible. We can confirm whether the candidate is still available, answer questions, and begin facilitating the communication required to determine whether you are a mutual fit.
Not necessarily. Communication throughout the matching process is facilitated by your case manager and tailored to the preferences of you and your desired donor/surrogate candidate. We can facilitate a video call, in-person meeting, profile review, or other format that everyone is comfortable with before deciding whether to move forward.
Our team can help you explore other candidates and begin a targeted search for someone who better fits your preferences. We can also hold a desired candidate until after their cycle or journey is completed, so that you will be first to match when or if they choose to complete another.

Ready to start your journey with Genesis?

Become an Genesis Parent

Financial & Escrow Questions

Funding requirements depend on the type and stage of your journey. For journeys involving an egg donor or gestational carrier, The Genesis Group requires the intended parents to fund a third-party escrow account before the journey begins so that the financial obligations of the arrangement are in place.
No. Genesis does not hold journey funds in-house. We use independent third-party escrow companies so that funds are managed separately from the agency and the process remains transparent and protected from conflicts of interest.
Whether you move forward with Genesis or another agency, we strongly recommend working with a trusted third party escrow company, or an agency that offers third party escrow serves rather than holding funds in-house.
Escrow provides a structured way to hold and distribute funds associated with a fertility journey according to the applicable agreements and payment schedule. It also separates the agency from direct control of those funds, which supports transparency and reduces potential conflicts of interest.
Your financial requirements depend on the specific journey, candidate, medical process, legal arrangements, and other factors. Genesis will discuss the applicable financial schedule with you before the journey moves forward during your one-on-one consultation with your case manager or our program director.
Yes. Each type of journey has different medical and logistical requirements, so the timing and structure of payments can differ. For example, egg donor compensation is generally structured around the donor's medication start and retrieval, while sperm donation involves the donor's deposit and any applicable processing or quarantine period.

Medical Screening & Clinic Approval

Yes. The Genesis Group conducts an initial review process before candidates enter the program, which includes a medical record review, background checks, and psychological screening.
We thoroughly review candidates with all obtainable medical records and a third-party assessment from trusted Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) physicians, sending these records for the clinic’s pre-approval as a match commences.
When records are sent for review by your clinic, they will pre-approve the candidate to commence a match and subsequently schedule their medical screening. The medical screening and physical testing includes a variety of checks specific to fertility to ensure their are no unforeseen disqualifying circumstances or risks.
Yes. A donor or surrogate who has been matched with you will undergo additional screening through your chosen IVF clinic. The clinic determines whether the candidate meets its medical requirements and is appropriate to proceed.
Depending on the clinic and the donor's circumstances, screening may include medical history review, bloodwork, infectious disease testing, genetic screening and counseling, psychological evaluation, and fertility-related testing, including:
- a physical exam, including a transvaginal ultrasound
- FDA blood work
- infectious disease screening
- drug testing
- hormone level checks
- a genetic carrier screening test
The clinic reviews the results before issuing medical clearance. If everything looks favorable and you and your donor are genetically compatible, the clinic issues medical clearance to begin the next phase.
You can review the specific timeline and screening here: What to Expect from Your Egg Donor’s Cycle.
We use independent, third party escrow companies to safely hold funds for your journey and compensation.
Intended parents choose from reputable escrow firms such as SeedTrust or Clarity. We do not hold funds in-house, nor do we allow unverified or newly established escrow companies to ensure your compensation and the parents’ funds are protected. Escrow accounts must be fully funded per contractual obligations throughout your journey.
A sperm donor generally undergoes psychological screening, genetic counseling and review of family history, and medical screening through the fertility clinic. The clinic reviews the results to determine genetic compatibility and medical eligibility before issuing clearance.
Your gestational carrier undergoes medical screening through your IVF clinic, generally including medical evaluation and testing designed to determine whether she can safely proceed with a pregnancy. Her partner may also be involved in portions of the screening process, depending on the clinic and circumstances.
Yes. Matching with a candidate does not guarantee that your clinic will medically clear them. A candidate may be ruled ineligible based on medical, genetic, psychological, or other clinic-specific findings. This is one reason Genesis coordinates the process through both agency and clinic screening before treatment begins.
Any subsequent disqualification from further clinic screening can be due to a change in the candidate's medical status between the short time period from record review and clinic pre-approval to final screening, or a revelation in tests previously unknown by the agency, the MFM physicians, and the clinic which pre-approved the candidate.
In these situations, we have contractual remedies agreed upon beforehand to rematch you with another surrogate at no added cost. At Genesis, we prioritize rematches when unforeseen circumstances occur to ensure that your journey can continue as soon as possible when extenuating circumstances occur.
You will generally work with a fertility clinic that is appropriate for your medical and geographic needs. Genesis can help coordinate the process and connect you with trusted fertility professionals and resources, though many intended parents come to us after working with a clinic beforehand.
Parents interested in egg or sperm donation may have already completed a sperm deposit or egg retrieval respectively, and intended parents requiring a surrogate may already have developed embryos ready for transfer. We are happy to support parents at any phase of their fertility journey.

Legal Questions

Yes. We strongly recommend that intended parents work with an attorney experienced in third-party reproduction, such as an AAARTA-certified (Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys) attorney. The legal landscape surrounding assisted reproduction can vary by state or jurisdiction, and appropriate legal representation is an important part of protecting everyone involved.
Yes. The Genesis Group requires egg donors, sperm donors, and surrogates to have independent legal representation for each cycle. Independent counsel allows each party to receive advice about their own rights and obligations.
For egg donation and sperm donation, legal contracts generally begin after the donor receives medical clearance. For gestational surrogacy, legal contract drafting begins after the gestational carrier has been medically cleared by the IVF clinic.
The agreement establishes the rights, responsibilities, expectations, and financial terms applicable to the arrangement. The exact provisions depend on the type of journey and the law governing the arrangement, which is why independent legal counsel is essential. Laws concerning assisted reproduction can vary significantly by state and jurisdiction.
Our process is designed so that the appropriate financial, medical, and legal prerequisites are completed before treatment or the relevant journey stage begins. For example, an egg donor or surrogate does not begin their applicable treatment cycle until medical and legal clearance have been completed.

Surrogacy Specifics

Families may pursue gestational surrogacy when an intended mother cannot safely carry a pregnancy, cannot become pregnant, or does not have a functioning uterus.
Surrogacy is also an important path to parenthood for single men and same-sex male couples.
No. The Genesis Group facilitates gestational surrogacy, in which an embryo created through IVF is transferred to a gestational carrier who is not genetically related to the child. The embryo may be created using an intended parent's or donor's egg and an intended parent's or donor's sperm.
A gestational carrier is the most common type of surrogate and is not genetically related to the baby. The embryo is created using an intended mother’s or egg donor’s egg and the intended father’s or sperm donor’s sperm, then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. Every journey we facilitate is through gestational surrogacy.
A traditional surrogate uses her own egg and is biologically related to the child she carries. This process is much less common, and we do not facilitate journeys of this kind.
After your surrogate is medically cleared, the legal contract process begins. Once the agreements are signed and legal clearance is issued, the fertility clinic can create a medication and monitoring calendar in preparation for embryo transfer.
The embryo transfer is scheduled by the IVF clinic based on the gestational carrier's medication cycle, monitoring results, and overall medical readiness. The timing is therefore individualized rather than determined by a single fixed date.
The clinic and surrogate typically test for pregnancy about ten days after embryo transfer. If a viable pregnancy is confirmed, ongoing monitoring continues through the fertility clinic and then the designated obstetric provider.
There are pregnancy indicators that are tested leading up to confirmation, including at-home pregnancy tests and a beta hCG test.
A beta test measures the exact amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood, a pregnancy hormone which can be used to confirm whether an embryo transfer resulted in pregnancy.
Your Genesis case manager continues coordinating communication and logistics among you, your surrogate, the medical providers, escrow, and other parties.
This includes assisting your surrogate through medication cycles, appointments, and travel arrangements, developing a birth plan alongside you and the surrogate, and working on legal parentage documentation with your legal team as delivery approaches.
During the match meetings and contract writing, we discuss key journey details, including perspectives on termination, travel or lifestyle restrictions, special considerations, and more. Decisions are mutually agreed upon by both parties before a match commences.
Legally, the gestational carrier retains the right to make decisions regarding her own medical care in every surrogacy journey.
Agreements will clearly establish the parties' expectations while recognizing the carrier's medical autonomy. ASRM specifically recognizes the gestational carrier as the person who consents to and directs her own medical care throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and aftercare.

Egg Donation Specifics

People use donor eggs for many reasons, including infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, medical conditions affecting the ability to use their own eggs, and family-building circumstances in which donor eggs are needed. Egg donation may also be used by single parents and same-sex male couples pursuing parenthood through IVF.
The timeline depends on clinic scheduling, medical screening, legal clearance, and the donor's cycle. Once medical and legal requirements are complete, the donor's stimulation phase typically lasts about 8 to 14 days before egg retrieval. Following retrieval, the eggs are fertilized and embryos are developed in the laboratory.
You can view the general egg donation timeline here.
Retrieved eggs are fertilized using sperm from an intended parent or sperm donor. Fertilization and early embryo development occur over several days, and your clinic will provide updates as necessary.
Embryos will culture for up to six days while the lab monitors growth and quality. Depending on your plan, embryos may then be genetically tested or prepared for an IVF transfer, depending on your treatment plan.
The aim is always to create as many healthy embryos as possible, so you and your doctor can decide on the best next step: testing, storage, or scheduling transfer.
Yes. Your intended parent profile allows you to identify the qualities and characteristics that matter to your family. Genesis then helps you search the database and recommends candidates who may align with your preferences. You are free to view the database yourself and send us candidates in whom you have interest, and we encourage you to do so as well!

Sperm Donation Specifics

Families may use donor sperm when an intended parent cannot provide sperm for conception or when donor sperm is otherwise part of their family-building plan. Donor sperm can be used in a variety of fertility treatments, including IVF.
After matching, funding, medical screening, genetic review, and legal clearance, the donor attends the required clinic appointments and provides a sperm deposit. The sample then goes through the appropriate processing and quarantine period before it can be released for use.
Sperm donation is generally less procedurally involved than egg donation, but the overall timeline can still depend on screening, legal clearance, clinic scheduling, and required quarantine. For anonymous sperm donation, current FDA requirements include a six-month quarantine and follow-up testing before a deposit can be released.
Yes. We provide intended parents with access to a private database of sperm donors and work with you to understand the characteristics, background, and qualities you are looking for. Our team can also conduct targeted outreach if you do not find the right candidate in the existing database.
The donor's sample will enter the applicable processing and quarantine process as directed by your clinic. Once eligible for use, the sperm can be used to fertilize eggs as part of your fertility treatment at the clinic with whom you are working.

Communication & Support

Yes. Every Genesis intended parent journey is assigned a dedicated case manager who coordinates communication, appointments, logistics, and other details throughout the process.
Your case manager serves as a central point of coordination throughout every stage of your journey. Depending on the phase of your process, that can include facilitating communication with your donor or surrogate, coordinating appointments and travel arrangements, communicating with clinics and attorneys, managing logistics, and keeping the journey moving forward through any unforeseen roadblocks or challenges.
Our team relies on over twenty years of expertise in facilitating fertility journeys. While no two fertility journeys ever look the same, we are confident in our ability to manage your journey from a place of past experience and deep understanding across a vast range of previous journeys.
Yes. Depending on your journey, Genesis can coordinate travel for donors or surrogates who need to attend appointments outside their local area. For sperm donation specifically, the Genesis process states that the case manager confirms and coordinates donor travel to the clinic.
Unexpected situations can occur in fertility journeys, which is why experienced coordination matters. Your dedicated case manager works alongside our whole team with the relevant medical, legal, financial, and logistical professionals to address issues and keep the journey moving wherever possible.
Our individualized support and experience navigating unexpected situations comes from our decades of experience managing fertility journeys alongside a dedicated staff with firsthand experience as intended parents, donors, and surrogates themselves.
Absolutely. Applying and accessing the database is commitment-free, and our team is available to answer questions, schedule a phone or video consultation, and connect you with relevant partners and resources before you decide whether to move forward.
You can get in touch with our team here.

Timelines & What to Expect

There is no single timeline that applies to every Genesis family. Your journey may involve matching, funding, medical screening, legal contracts, clinic scheduling, treatment, embryo development, and if pursuing surrogacy, a pregnancy and birth. Each stage can vary depending on your individual circumstances and the type of journey you choose, and we detail general timelines here.
Timelines can be impacted by your preferred donor or surrogate’s availability, medical screening results, genetic incompatibility, clinic scheduling, legal review, travel, embryo development, or other circumstances unique to your journey.
In any of these scenarios, our process is designed to work alongside your individual needs and move your journey forward. From tailored outreach for donor/surrogate candidates based on your criteria to rematches at no additional cost following an unforeseen match break or disqualification, we strive to ensure your journey receives the utmost consideration.
Yes. Some families may require both an egg donor and a gestational carrier, and The Genesis Group can coordinate multiple services as part of the same family-building plan. Our parent program is designed to accommodate egg donation, sperm donation, surrogacy, or combinations of these services.
Your level of involvement depends on the type of journey and your preferences. We coordinate the entire process, but intended parents remain active participants in important decisions, including choosing a donor or surrogate, communicating with their match when applicable, working with their fertility clinic and attorneys, and making decisions about their embryos and treatment plan.
Some intended parents develop strong relationships with their donor or surrogate, while others prefer less involvement. These preferences are discussed during your one-on-one consultation, throughout the profile-building process, and during matching to ensure everyone remains on the same page.
Absolutely. Applying and accessing the database is commitment-free, and our team is available to answer questions, schedule a phone or video consultation, and connect you with relevant partners and resources before you decide whether to move forward.
You can get in touch with our team here.

Choosing The Genesis Group

If you do not currently see a donor or surrogate candidate with whom you resonate, The Genesis Group has a dedicated marketing and outreach process that can tailor their search based on your specific criteria to actively recruit additional candidates. This service is available at no additional cost to Genesis intended parents.
No two family-building journeys are identical. Medical circumstances, legal considerations, family preferences, donor or surrogate relationships, and logistical needs can all differ. We structure our program around individualized coordination so that your support reflects the journey you are actually experiencing rather than a one-size-fits-all process.
Look for an agency with meaningful experience, transparent financial practices, strong medical and legal coordination, qualified candidates, clear communication, and a demonstrated commitment to ethical treatment of intended parents and donors or surrogates. These are core principles reflected throughout our program at The Genesis Group.
The Genesis Group uses third-party escrow rather than holding client funds in-house, requires independent legal representation for donors and surrogates, and uses the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommendations as key guidelines for our approach to ethical and transparent care.
That is what our team is here for. Fertility journeys involve medical, legal, financial, and emotional considerations that cannot always be answered with a single FAQ. We encourage intended parents to speak directly with our team so we can understand your situation and connect you with the appropriate resources before you move forward.
You can connect with our team here.
We are also available by call at our office Monday-Friday 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. at 310.550.6889.

您的生育之旅從 Genesis 開始。

Become a Genesis Parent

意定父母

常見問題

Intended Parent Basics

What is an intended parent?

Who can become an intended parent with The Genesis Group?

What family-building options does The Genesis Group offer?

Why work with an agency instead of navigating the process independently?

About The Genesis Group

What is The Genesis Group?

What makes The Genesis Group different from other agencies?

Do I need to live in California to work with The Genesis Group?

Do you work with international intended parents for fertility journeys?

Getting Started With Genesis

How do I start my journey with The Genesis Group?

Is applying to The Genesis Group a commitment or binding in any way?

How do I gain access to the donor and surrogate database?

What information will I provide when creating my intended parent profile with The Genesis Group?

What information can I see in the donor or surrogate database?

Can The Genesis Group help me find someone who isn't currently in the database?

Finding Your Match

How does matching work with a donor or surrogate?

How quickly can I be matched with a donor or surrogate?

Are Genesis matches first-come, first-served?

What happens if I find a donor or surrogate I like?

Do I have to meet my donor or surrogate before matching?

What happens if my first choice is no longer available?

Ready to start your journey with Genesis?

Financial & Escrow Questions

When do I need to fund my journey?

Does The Genesis Group hold my escrow funds?

Why is third-party escrow important?

When will I know how much funding is required?

Does the payment schedule vary depending on whether I use an egg donor, sperm donor, or surrogate?

Medical Screening & Clinic Approval

Does Genesis medically screen donors and surrogates before I see them?

Does my fertility clinic perform its own screening?

What happens during medical screening for an egg donor?

How does The Genesis Group manage and protect the funds for my egg donation journey?

What happens during medical screening for a sperm donor?

What happens during medical screening for a gestational carrier?

Can a donor or surrogate fail medical screening after we have matched?

Does The Genesis Group choose my fertility clinic?

Legal Questions

我需要律師嗎？

Does my donor or surrogate have their own attorney?

When does the legal process begin for surrogacy, egg donation, or sperm donation?

What does the donor or surrogate agreement cover?

When can medical treatment begin?

Surrogacy Specifics

Why do intended parents choose gestational surrogacy?

Will my surrogate be genetically related to my baby?

What is the difference between a traditional surrogate and a gestational carrier?

What happens after my surrogate is medically cleared?

When does the embryo transfer happen?

How soon will we know whether the transfer worked?

What happens after a pregnancy is confirmed?

Who makes medical decisions during a surrogate pregnancy?

Egg Donation Specifics

Why do intended parents use an egg donor?

How long does an egg donation journey take after matching?

What happens after the eggs are retrieved?

Can I choose the characteristics of my egg donor?

Sperm Donation Specifics

Why do intended parents use a sperm donor?

What does the sperm donation process look like?

How long does sperm donation take?

Can I choose my sperm donor?

What happens after my sperm donor provides a sample?

Communication & Support

Will I have a dedicated case manager?

What does my case manager actually do?

Will The Genesis Group help coordinate travel for my donor or surrogate to my clinic?

What happens if there is a problem during my fertility journey?

Can I contact The Genesis Group before applying?

Timelines & What to Expect

How long does the entire process take?

What can cause a journey to take longer than expected?

Can I pursue egg donation and surrogacy at the same time?

How involved will I be throughout the journey?

Can I contact The Genesis Group before applying?