FAQ

Surrogacy is an arrangement, supported by a legal agreement, whereby a woman agrees to become pregnant, carry the pregnancy to due term, and give birth to a child or children, all of this for another person or persons, who are or will ultimately become the parent of the child or children. There is Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy.

Gestational Surrogacy takes place when an embryo created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology is implanted in to a surrogate, sometimes referred to as a gestational carrier. Gestational Surrogacy may take a number of forms, but in each form the resulting child is genetically unrelated to the surrogate:

• The embryo is created using the intended father’s sperm and the intended mother’s eggs. The resulting child is genetically related to both intended parents.
• The embryo is created using the intended father’s sperm and a donor egg where the donor is not the surrogate. The resulting child is genetically related to the intended father.
• The embryo is created using the intended mother’s egg and donor sperm. The resulting child is genetically related to the intended mother.
• A donor embryo is implanted in a surrogate. Such an embryo may be available when others undergoing IVF have embryos left over, which they donate to others. The resulting child is genetically unrelated to the intended parent(s).
Gestational surrogacy is allowed in various countries including the USA, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, UK and Greece.

Traditional Surrogacy involves natural or artificial insemination of a surrogate. If the intended father’s sperm is used in the insemination, then the resulting child is genetically related to the intended father and genetically related to the surrogate. If donor sperm is used, the resulting child is not genetically related to either intended parent but is genetically related to the surrogate.

It depends on the country where the process takes place and the specific program chosen. Costs are naturally affected by the surrogate’s compensation, medical and legal fees, the country’s cost of living, and other variables.

The First step will be to sign an agreement with Tammuz. Then you will be required to start your medical preparations which will include a full blood analysis and genetic tests. You will then be required to choose an egg donor and then you will be matched with a surrogate.

HIV+ IP’s can pursue a surrogacy journey in the USA and Colombia. The IP’s sperm must be ‘washed’ at the Western Fertility Institute, our clinic in LA or in our partner clinic in Bogotá. Sperm washing allows sperm to be removed from the fluids that contain the virus. No known cases of transmission of the virus after sperm washing have been noted.

 Absolutely! In recent years, many single men have turned to surrogacy procedures in the USA, Armenia, Mexico, and Colombia. Following a High Court petition (Bagatz) filed by the Tamuz Family, the Proud Fathers Association, and Itay and Yoav Arad-Pinkas, Israel opened its surrogacy doors to single men as well in 2022.

A couple of men can undergo a surrogacy procedure in the USA, Colombia, Mexico, and Israel.

• Armenia: There is an option for a process for a single father, meaning a father who is not registered as married and appears as single in the official documents.
• USA: At the end of the process, both fathers will appear on the birth certificate.
• Colombia: Upon birth, the biological father and the surrogate will appear on the birth certificate. Only after completing the severance of ties process (approximately a year and a half from birth) will the surrogate be removed from the birth certificate.
• Mexico: Both parents are registered on the birth certificate; the surrogate is not registered on the birth certificate.
• Armenia: The biological father will appear on the birth certificate, without the surrogate.

Sure! Tammuz has changed the way gay men build their families, and over the past decade hundreds of gay men have fulfilled their dream of having a baby via surrogacy. Gay men can do surrogacy in the USA and Colombia.

Egg donation is anonymous, however most of Tammuz’s South-African donors will agree to a meeting via Skype. Your donor coordinator will arrange this for you. In most cases however, the Ukrainian/Russian/Asian donors remain anonymous and will not be available for a meeting.

Most of the plans we offer at Tammuz involve the IP’s meeting their surrogate. In the USA you are advised to maintain regular contact throughout your journey. In Ukraine and Colombia, you will meet the surrogate once you visit the clinic and sign the agreement with her and also for the birth.

The Surrogates are mothers who have a normal, uncomplicated history of pregnancy and childbirth.

All candidates undergo blood tests (HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C), gynecological examinations, additional medical tests, a personal interview, and a psychological evaluation.

The typical age range for surrogates is 22-39, with the average age being 32.

All of our egg donors are screened for the following:

Medical Screening:
– Anti Mullerian hormone test (AMH)
– BCE Full Blood Count + Platelets + ESR GROUP
– Blood Group + RH
– HEPBSAG Hep. B Ag HEPC Hep. C
– HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibodies routine screen) – HIV test
– HB Haemoglobin – Blood cells count and haemoglobin test
– PROL Prolactin – Prolactin test, which measures the level of hormone prolactin secreted by the Pituitary glands
– CHLAG Chlamydia (STD)
– CMV CMV (IgG + IgM)
– HSV Herpes Simplex Ab (I&II) – Blood tests to be done to detect the presence of Chlamydia, Herpes and Cytomegaly viruses
– TSH
– LH
– FRAGILE X Genetic Test
– Karyotyping Genetic Test

Psychological Screening
A formal psychological report will be provided by the psychologist who screens your egg donor.

The Guarantee Plans were designed to give IP’s as much financial assurance as possible. The various Guarantee Plans will offer you an unlimited number off egg donations, surrogate matches, and legal services in the country where the surrogacy process is taking place. However, not all plans are all inclusive. For more information please see the various plans we offer.

You are now just a short step away from the most important journey of your lives. You have spent countless hours researching the surrogacy process, consulted with industry professionals and saved money. Now we’d like to share with you the guiding principles of Tammuz Family and the reasons why we are now one of the leading surrogacy companies in the world.

You are the focus: Tammuz Family fully supports IP’s and provides them with the best and most professional and personal services possible.

Affordable Cost: We offer the safest and most professional plans at the lowest cost.

Readily available surrogates: Tammuz has excellent surrogates who are readily available. All surrogates undergo strict medical and psychological screening. In addition, it is a requirement that all surrogates must have had at least 1 successful pregnancy and birth.
Everything in One Place: Our ONE-STOP-SHOP approach allows you the IP, to feel more secure and less stressed knowing that we coordinate everything for you including matching you with a surrogate, creating embryos, carrying out all medical procedures and providing legal support and insurance consulting.

Experience: Since 2008, over 1300 babies have been born under the expert guidance of the Tammuz Family team.

Community: Tammuz is no longer just an agency. In the last decade we have built a community and are proud to maintain contact with our IP’s, their babies and their families.

Values: Since its inception, Tammuz Family has worked hard to promote equality and make surrogacy accessible for everyone. Our team have been instrumental in bringing about changes in legislation and we will continue the fight until equality is achieved for each and every IP that signs with Tammuz.

Our team operates during office hours with clear and efficient communication channels. For urgent medical situations, we provide immediate support at any time. We are here to guide and support you through what will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting experiences of your life.  We provide continuous guidance throughout your journey. Our team is available during office hours, Monday to Friday, and in the event of a medical emergency we will contact you immediately — at any time, including evenings and weekends.