Surrogate Requirements
How Do I Qualify To Be A Surrogate?
We know you’re so excited to learn about how to qualify to be a surrogate, but before we dive in we just want to say —
we are so glad you are here!
We already feel like we’ve met before because we have a shared mission: helping families grow through surrogacy.
This is good because your first step is usually a compatibility form that helps us get to know you more. You want to learn more about the surrogacy process, and we want to learn more about you and what inspired you to take on this journey!
Surrogate Requirements: The Basics
When you kick off your compatibility test, you’ll first need to meet these criteria:
You have a BMI of less than 35
You are a U.S. Citizen or green card holder
You live in the United States in any state except for Nebraska and Louisiana (these states do not have friendly surrogacy laws)
You had no more than 3 C-sections
You have carried at least one full-term pregnancy and delivery without complications
You are between 21-42 years old
Relationship status?
While a surrogate doesn’t have to have a romantic relationship or partner, if they do, the partner would need to be briefed, involved, and committed to supporting the surrogate. If you’re not in a romantic relationship, surrogacy still requires you to have at least one person who can be your go-to support person on the journey, for everything from childcare if needed, to pregnancy cravings, and possible 3 AM phone calls!
Do you have kids of your own?
AKA who runs your world? Is it a little human who doesn’t let you go to the bathroom alone? Mommas, we know the feeling! But it’s okay because to be a gestational surrogate, you need to be currently raising your own child within your home or have already raised a child(ren). (A stage 5 bathroom clinger counts!)
Are you into tattoos or piercings?
Love this for you, but we’ll need to double-check that you got them at a clean and licensed shop by a professional, especially if it’s been within the last 12 months.
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Did you have any pregnancy or delivery complications?
What is your mental health history? Have you had support for mental health in the past? We'll just need to learn about the details. (We all lived through COVID, so zero judgment here! We just want to make sure you’re adequately supported.)
Do you have/have you had an STD or STI?
Health Requirements
Surrogacy is about you and baby having the healthiest, most joyful experience ever. You should be ready to share some personal details about your health history:
Time Requirements
Every woman’s surrogacy is different. You’ll have the opportunity to share with us when you believe you’d be ready to begin your surrogacy (we’re on YOUR schedule!). In general, a surrogacy journey can last anywhere from 18-24 months from start to finish. Here’s an idea of what to expect during this time.
Application process and screening
Matching with an agency and then with intended parents
Legal contracts and medical screening
Medications and IVF appointments (traveling for your embryo transfer, a trip that’s about 3 days)
Building a relationship with your intended parents
Agency team check-ins
Growing a little baby
Health Requirements
2/3
Surrogacy is about you and baby having the healthiest, most joyful experience ever. You should be ready to share some personal details about your health history:
Do you have/have you had an STD or STI?
What is your mental health history? Have you had support for mental health in the past? We'll just need to learn about the details. (We all lived through COVID, so zero judgment here! We just want to make sure you’re adequately supported.)
Did you have any pregnancy or delivery complications?
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Love this for you, but we’ll need to double-check that you got them at a clean and licensed shop by a professional, especially if it’s been within the last 12 months.
Are you into tattoos or piercings?
While a surrogate doesn’t have to have a romantic relationship or partner, if they do, the partner would need to be briefed, involved, and committed to supporting the surrogate. If you’re not in a romantic relationship, surrogacy still requires you to have at least one person who can be your go-to support person on the journey, for everything from childcare if needed, to pregnancy cravings, and possible 3 AM phone calls!
Relationship status?
AKA who runs your world? Is it a little human who doesn’t let you go to the bathroom alone? Mommas, we know the feeling! But it’s okay because to be a gestational surrogate, you need to be currently raising your own child within your home or have already raised a child(ren). (A stage 5 bathroom clinger counts!)
Do you have kids of your own?
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Timeline Requirements
Every woman’s surrogacy is different. You’ll have the opportunity to share with us when you believe you’d be ready to begin your surrogacy (we’re on YOUR schedule!). In general, a surrogacy journey can last anywhere from 18-24 months from start to finish. Here’s an idea of what to expect during this time.
Application process and screening
Matching with an agency and then with intended parents
Legal contracts and medical screening
Medications and IVF appointments (traveling for your embryo transfer, a trip that’s about 3 days)
Building a relationship with your intended parents
Agency team check-ins
Growing a little baby!
Read more about what kind of time commitment to expect.
What Disqualifies You From Being a Surrogate?
These are some of the things that might prevent you from being approved as a surrogate:
Not being between the ages of 21-42 years old
Not having a child of your own
Not having a stable support network
A history of miscarriages
Significant mental health concerns
Serious health conditions like type 1 or type 2 diabetes, sickle cell disease, uncontrolled hypertension, HIV, or cardiac problems
A criminal record
Not living in a surrogacy-friendly state (Nebraska or Louisiana)
Having a BMI higher than 35
Not being a U.S. Citizen or green card holder
Smoking, illicit drug use, or alcohol abuse
Not meeting financial requirements
Should you be disqualified from being a surrogate you need to remember — you’ve done nothing wrong! In most cases, what disqualifies you from being a surrogate has to do with not meeting a fertility clinic and/or American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s guidelines for what would constitute the groundwork for a successful surrogacy journey. It’s not a reflection of who you are as a person, and does not impact your ability to have your own successful pregnancies.
You’ll answer these questions on our compatibility form at your own pace, and then a team member will pick it up from there. We’ll help you figure out what next steps are best for you! No matter what, remember you’re amazing for even considering becoming a surrogate, and you’re never on this journey alone.
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Blog Posts
A 9-to-5 Guide for Employed Surrogates: How Does Surrogacy Work Legally?
Learn more about the legal considerations for surrogacy, including workplace rights and how to talk to your employer.
Surrogacy Requirements: Can You Be a Surrogate If You Had a C-Section?
Learn how agencies evaluate delivery history and what makes you an eligible surrogate.
Your Guide to Surrogacy Travel: Navigating Appointments, Delivery & More
Travel is sometimes part of the surrogacy experience, from clinic appointments to delivery planning. Here’s what to expect and how agencies make it easy.
"My surrogacy journey was wonderful, especially once I was officially matched with my intended parents. It was important to me that I found intended parents who felt like we could be friends. This helped so much throughout the journey."
Susie
"Do it! If you are thinking about it, now is the time. Don’t let this moment pass you by."
Geneviève
"I knew I wanted to carry for LGBTQ+ IP(s) because I wanted to put more love and acceptance into the world. What better way to multiply love than to help build families?"
Jodie
"It was a journey through and through. There were ups and downs, bumps and delays, and the hardest pregnancy to date, but never once did I waiver in why I was doing this."