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Two Models
What to expect for an egg donor search...

Finding the right donor is such an important step, and we want you to feel supported and confident along the way.

 

At Custom Fertility, we offer two ways to search:

 

  • Cast a wide net: We start with your preferences but allow for small variations — maybe a donor who’s slightly taller or has one difference from your list. This helps you see as many great options as possible.

  • Refined search: We stick closely to your exact criteria, creating a smaller, carefully matched selection that fits your vision.

 

 

You can switch between these approaches anytime — it’s your journey, and we’ll adjust the search to match your comfort and pace.

Your egg donor search

Getting to know YOU

At Custom Fertility, your journey matters deeply to us.

We believe the search for the right match should feel personal, compassionate, and filled with genuine human connection. From the very beginning, we take the time to understand your story — your hopes, your dreams, and what family means to you.

 

Many parents tell us they’ve felt lost in the process elsewhere, like just another number in a system. That will never be your experience with us. At Custom Fertility, your search is built around you. We know your name, we celebrate your milestones, and we walk beside you every step of the way.

 

As your journey unfolds, we listen closely and adjust along the way, allowing your search to grow and evolve naturally — just as every family’s story does.

Search Criteria

Every search begins with you — your hopes, your preferences, and your vision for the family you’re building. We thoughtfully combine your criteria with your doctor’s recommendations to carefully review each donor profile, ensuring every option we share truly aligns with your needs.

 

Beyond appearance, education, and interests, we also take great care in understanding each donor’s health history. We’ll keep you informed of any disclosed conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or other areas that may be personally meaningful to you.

 

When we share profiles, we’ll highlight the qualities that make a donor special, as well as anything we believe deserves your attention — because transparency and trust are at the heart of what we do.

 

Throughout your search, we welcome your thoughts and feedback every step of the way. Together, we’ll move forward gently and thoughtfully, helping your journey unfold with clarity, compassion, and care.

Your Search

We want your feedback

Your part in this process is simple — to explore and share your thoughts. Each profile we send has been carefully selected for you, and your feedback helps guide us as we continue the search together.

 

We review your comments every day and adjust our approach based on what resonates with you. The search happens in real time — each day, we create and email new profiles for your review. If your preferences shift or something new becomes important to you, we’ll adapt immediately.

 

Every search is unique and fully customized to your needs — evolving with you as your journey unfolds.

Matching with your donor

As you begin reviewing donor profiles, please remember that these donors are also being viewed by other intended parents at the same time — they aren’t held automatically.

 

When you find a donor who touches your heart, we act right away. We’ll reach out to the agency to answer any questions you may have, and we’ll help you secure a hold on that donor while we continue to explore other possibilities together.

 

Because each agency is different, hold fees and timelines can vary — and we’ll make sure you have every update in real time, so there are no surprises along the way.

 

By the end of your search month, our hope is that you’ll have a favorite donor you’re excited to move forward with — and a few others as wonderful backups — giving you peace of mind as your journey continues.

Package cost

Our search fee is $4,400, and we start with a free consultation to make sure our services are the right fit for you. During the consultation, we’ll review your donor criteria, explain our process, and answer any questions about third-party fertility.

 

Once your fee is received, your personalized search begins within 1–2 business days. We explore the top egg donor agencies across the U.S. to find your best matches. By the end of the search, our goal is for you to have a donor you love — plus one or two backups — so you can move forward with confidence.

Possible Struggles

Occasionally, a donor may become hesitant or step back due to personal circumstances or life changes. While this doesn’t happen often, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility.

 

That’s where Custom Fertility comes in. We’re here to guide you through every “what if” and “now what” along the way. Think of us as your biggest cheerleaders and trusted coaches — supporting, strategizing, and helping you move forward with confidence at every step of your journey.

Finishing up your search

The egg donor search typically takes about a month. Once we’ve reviewed all of our agency databases, we circle back to the agencies we searched first to see if any new donors have been added who might meet your criteria. Because donors are joining all the time, we want to make sure you have every available option.

 

Our goal is for you to have a favorite donor and at least one potential backup by the end of your search. And if you haven’t found “the one,” don’t worry — we already have a plan in place to help you move forward with confidence.

The relationships

As search consultants, we’ve built strong, trusted relationships with egg donor agencies across the United States. These agencies know our clients are serious, and we trust them to provide exceptional care to everyone we refer.

 

When your search concludes, we’ll help you transition smoothly to the agency’s support. Their expertise, experience, and dedicated guidance will be there for you every step of the way through the rest of your egg donor journey.

egg
donation timeline

Read through an in depth timeline of egg donation



 

Download a quick reference pdf at the bottom of this page

1) Choose Your Donor

Finding the right egg donor can take anywhere from a few days to several months. The timeline is entirely in your hands as the intended parent. You can search through over 50 agency databases on your own, or work with a Search Consultant to help streamline the process and find a match more quickly. At Custom Fertility, we conduct a comprehensive search using your unique criteria and provide you with a refined list of candidates who meet your needs.

 

When setting your criteria, it’s helpful to separate them into “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.” You can read more about this in our blog post on choosing donor criteria.

 

Your ideal donor will meet your “must-have” requirements and align with some of your “nice-to-have” preferences.

 

Helpful Tip: Many factors influence a child’s personality, health, and appearance. While it’s natural to focus on specific details, try to keep your ultimate goal in mind: welcoming a healthy, happy baby as soon as possible. Remember, flexibility can help you move forward without unnecessary delays.

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2) Record Review

This step usually takes a few days to a few weeks. Once you’ve selected a donor, the agency will arrange for the donor’s medical and past donation records to be sent to your clinic. If you’re matching with a previous donor, these records will include their donation history.

 

For first-time donors, the clinic will review the donor’s profile to determine eligibility and approval.

 

Timelines for record review can vary by clinic, so it’s best to consult with your doctor or nurse coordinator to understand how long this step may take for your specific situation.

 

3) Contract with the Agency to Officially Match

This step usually takes just a few days. You’ll review the agency agreement/retainer, a fee estimate, and the agency’s timeline for payment and escrow. Many agencies also offer a virtual meeting so you can discuss any questions directly with the team representing your donor.

 

At this stage, the agency agreement is not your legal contract with the donor—that comes later. While a Third Party Fertility lawyer isn’t required for this step, some intended parents choose to involve an attorney for extra peace of mind.

 

If you decide to have an attorney review the contract, this may add additional time and fees. Most agencies can provide referrals to trusted Third Party Fertility lawyers if needed.

 

4) AMH Testing (7–10 days)

  • Why it’s done: If you’ve chosen a first-time donor, there may not be existing fertility data. An AMH test helps provide insight into her ovarian reserve.

  • How it works: This is a simple blood test that can usually be done at a local lab. We recommend completing it before moving to the contract phase, if possible.

  • Interpreting results: An AMH level below 2.0 or above 10.0 can signal potential concerns and may mean considering a different donor. Keep in mind, AMH is just one factor in fertility—your doctor is the best source of guidance.

  • Next steps: Most clinics wait for AMH results before proceeding with the next stage of the process.

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5) Psychological Evaluation (2–3 weeks)

  • Why it’s done: Most clinics require donors—and sometimes intended parents—to complete a psychological evaluation. This helps the donor understand the process and screens for any undiagnosed mental health concerns.

  • What it assesses: Evaluations gauge honesty on the donor’s profile and provide an opportunity to discuss any emotions about the donation journey.

  • Pass rate: Most donors pass, as they’ve already had multiple conversations with their agency and undergone initial vetting before being available for matching.

  • Next steps: Clinics usually wait for the evaluation results before moving forward.

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6) Genetic Testing (2–3 weeks)

  • Coordination: The agency works directly with your clinic to manage this step.

  • How it works: The genetic test is usually sent to the donor’s home and can be completed with a simple saliva or blood kit—no lab visit needed.

  • Purpose: This test screens the donor’s genetic carrier status for a wide range of conditions. If any positive results appear, it’s not automatically a concern. Your doctor will ensure compatibility with the sperm donor to minimize any risk of passing on a condition.

  • Next steps: Clinics typically wait for the results before proceeding to the next stage.

 

7) Genetic Counseling & Summary (1–2 weeks)

  • When it’s done: If genetic testing reveals any concerning carrier status, the donor—and sometimes intended parents—may meet with a Genetic Counselor.

  • Purpose: This session allows both parties to review the results, discuss any concerns, and better understand potential implications.

  • What’s included: The counselor will provide a detailed summary of the donor’s family health history and create a family tree, noting any health conditions going back to grandparents.

  • Next steps: Clinics typically wait for the counseling report before proceeding.

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8) Initial Testing (1–4 weeks)

  • Purpose: Your clinic will have the donor complete a comprehensive testing day to ensure she’s ready for the donation process.

  • What’s included: Testing usually covers drug, nicotine, STD, and pregnancy screenings, as well as blood work, an ultrasound with a follicle count, and any additional tests or procedures your doctor deems necessary.

  • Significance: This is the final medical step the donor must pass before moving into the legal portion of the process.

  • Next steps: Clinics generally wait for results before proceeding.

 

 

9) Legal Documents Between Intended Parents & Donor (1–6 weeks)

  • Hire an attorney: This is the time to engage a Third Party Fertility attorney. If you already have one, great! If not, we can help you find a trusted professional.

  • Clarify your wishes: Work with your attorney to outline your decisions for the journey, including donation type, donor compensation, travel considerations, and the possibility of using the donor for a future cycle.

  • Drafting the contract: Your attorney drafts the agreement, which will then be reviewed by the donor and her attorney. All legal fees—for both parties—are typically covered by the intended parents.

  • Review process: The contract is refined through collaboration between both attorneys until all parties are satisfied.

  • Signing: The final step—signing the contract! (Celebration is optional but highly recommended.)

 

10) Calendar & Timeline (A few days)

  • Purpose: After all previous steps are complete, your clinic creates a detailed calendar for the donor.

  • What’s included: The calendar outlines all medications, injections, and instructions the donor will follow in preparation for egg retrieval.

  • Timing: This schedule is typically prepared within one week of the legal contract being finalized.

 

11) Cycle Medications & Monitoring (2 weeks)

  • Purpose: During this phase, the donor follows her calendar and any additional instructions from the doctor.

  • Monitoring: Clinics often allow donors to visit a local facility for monitoring appointments. This lets the doctor track egg and follicle development while minimizing travel.

  • Adjustments: If any changes to medications are needed, your doctor will review and direct the donor accordingly.

 

12) Donor Travel to Clinic for Retrieval (3–10 days)

  • Travel & companion: The donor travels to your clinic with a companion. The stay typically lasts 3–10 days, depending on your clinic’s requirements.

  • Monitoring: She will attend any necessary appointments at your clinic in the days leading up to retrieval.

  • Recovery: After retrieval, the donor remains local for at least 24 hours to ensure she is stable. Once cleared by your doctor, she returns home.

  • Next steps: Your clinic continues with embryo creation and plans for transfer.

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