More and more couples in the United States are exploring egg donation because natural conception is not possible. In America, egg donation is legal and widely practiced, but regulations vary by state. This guide covers everything you need to know—from the medical process to costs and success rates to the current regulatory landscape.
How Does Egg Donation Work?
After hormonal stimulation, a fertility specialist retrieves multiple mature eggs from the donor. In a laboratory, those eggs are fertilized via in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus of the recipient. Genetically, the child comes from the donor, but legally in the U.S., the birth mother is recognized as the mother.
Legal Status in the USA (June 2025)
Egg donation is legal at the federal level and governed by guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). There is no single national law banning or restricting it, but state regulations can differ on issues like donor compensation, anonymity, and consent. Clinics must follow Food and Drug Administration (FDA) screening requirements for donors to ensure safety. Recipients and donors sign detailed consent forms covering medical risks, privacy, and potential rights of offspring to learn donor identity.
Embryo Donation – Legally Permissible and Practiced
Embryo donation is allowed throughout the U.S. Many couples with surplus frozen embryos choose to donate them rather than discard them. Recipients can receive these embryos through adoption-like programs at fertility clinics. Federal guidelines require genetic screening and proper consent, but state laws vary on how donations must be handled. Because this process is well established, most fertility centers offer embryo donation services.
Parentage Law: Who Is Recognized as the Mother?
Under U.S. law, the woman who gives birth is the legal mother. If a child is born to a recipient after egg donation, that recipient is the child’s legal mother. Any dispute over parental rights must typically be settled in state court; however, most states have clear statutes or case law affirming that a birth certificate is definitive proof of maternity, regardless of genetic contribution.
Surrogacy – State Variations on Legality
Surrogacy in the U.S. is legal in many states but prohibited or restricted in others. Some states allow only traditional surrogacy (using the surrogate’s egg), others allow gestational surrogacy (using an egg from the intended mother or a donor), and a few ban all commercial surrogacy arrangements. Couples must consult state statutes: for example, California and Illinois have well-defined, supportive surrogacy laws, whereas states like Michigan and Louisiana heavily restrict or ban surrogacy contracts.
Medical Risks at a Glance
Donors: Typical side effects of ovarian stimulation include nausea, headaches, and mild abdominal discomfort. A severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs in roughly 1 percent of cycles Braat 2014. Egg retrieval is minimally invasive but carries a small risk of bleeding or infection. Recipients: A large U.S. registry study found that pregnancies using donor eggs have a higher risk of preeclampsia compared to those using a woman’s own eggs Magnusson 2021. When procedures are performed in experienced clinics with careful monitoring, most egg donation cycles proceed without serious complications.
Current Success Rates
According to the latest report from the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), egg donation cycles showed a clinical pregnancy rate of 50.5 percent per fresh embryo transfer in 2019 ESHRE 2023. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported live birth rates of approximately 55 percent per cycle for recipients under age 30 using donor eggs CDC 2022. Top U.S. clinics that employ advanced laboratory techniques and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) often exceed 65 percent success rates per transfer Embriogyn 2024. Key factors influencing outcomes include the donor’s age and health, embryo quality, and the laboratory’s experience.
International Cost Comparison for 2025
Many U.S. couples travel abroad for egg donation to reduce costs. Typical total budgets (including medication, procedure, and one round-trip) range from $8,000 to $30,000, depending on the destination. Below are 13 popular countries listed in U.S. dollars:
- Spain – $8,000–$12,000, anonymous donation, success rates up to 60%
- Czech Republic – $7,000–$10,000, anonymous donation, short wait times
- Greece – $7,500–$11,000, updated traceability laws since 2023
- Portugal – $8,000–$12,000, no anonymity; child may learn donor identity at age 18
- Bulgaria – $6,000–$9,000, anonymous donation, maximum five children per donor
- Ukraine – $6,000–$9,000, liberal regulations but political risks
- USA – $20,000–$30,000, open donation, extensive genetic screening
- Canada – $18,000–$25,000, altruistic system, no donor compensation
- Israel – $12,000–$16,000, anonymous donation, strict medical requirements
- Japan – $10,000–$14,000, anonymous donation, limited disclosure laws
- Hungary – $8,000–$11,000, only related donors allowed, no anonymity
- Georgia – $6,000–$9,000, liberal regulations, short waiting periods
- France – $8,000–$12,000, no anonymity since 2022
In addition to clinic fees, include airfare, lodging, and any required follow-up visits. U.S. couples should budget $25,000 to $40,000 when factoring in travel and accommodation for multiple attempts.
Outlook: Is Reform on the Horizon?
At the federal level, no new legislation is pending specifically on egg donation. However, individual states continue refining guidelines on donor compensation and anonymity. Significant changes are unlikely before 2026, so for now, U.S. recipients and donors must comply with existing ASRM and FDA guidelines.
Sperm Donation – A Quick, Legal Alternative
If male factor infertility is the issue, sperm donation is legal throughout the U.S. and easier than pursuing international egg donation. RattleStork connects intended parents with certified donors, offering secure messaging, cycle tracking, and standardized legal agreements—all within a user-friendly app.
Conclusion
Egg donation in the United States is legal and regulated, but costs can be high. Many couples travel abroad to reduce expenses, which introduces additional logistical and medical considerations. Anyone considering donor egg treatment should work with experienced attorneys, carefully review state regulations, and choose reputable clinics. Thorough preparation remains the key to maximizing success.