Surrogate Requirements

AI Smart Summary – Surrogate Requirements

Meet the basic eligibility criteria: Be 21–42 years old, have had at least one healthy full-term pregnancy, and maintain a healthy BMI.
Be in good physical and mental health: Non-smokers with no history of major pregnancy complications or uncontrolled medical conditions are preferred.
Have a stable lifestyle: A supportive home environment, reliable transportation, and financial stability help ensure a successful surrogacy journey.
Complete comprehensive screening: Medical, psychological, and background evaluations are conducted to protect both the surrogate and the baby.
Receive individualized physician review: Every application is carefully evaluated to ensure you meet the medical and legal requirements for surrogacy.
Join with confidence: Qualified surrogates receive professional guidance, legal protection, and ongoing support throughout the entire journey.

Surrogate Requirements: The Complete Qualification Checklist

Before anything else, know this: requirements exist to protect you. Every criterion below exists because it predicts a safe pregnancy and a healthy delivery — for you first, and for the baby you carry. These standards reflect guidance from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the screening protocols of the IVF clinics we work with.

Review the checklist, and if you’re unsure about any item, don’t self-reject — call 1-212-661-7177 . Our intake team resolves most “am I eligible?” questions in one conversation.

Surrogate Requirements: The Complete Qualification Checklist

Age 21–39: You must be a legal adult with the maturity for a significant commitment, within the age range associated with the safest pregnancy outcomes. Some clinics extend eligibility for proven surrogates on a case-by-case basis.
At least one prior healthy pregnancy and delivery: A full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy is the single strongest predictor of a successful surrogacy. It also means you enter the journey knowing — truly knowing — what pregnancy asks of you.
Currently parenting at least one child: Surrogacy asks you to carry a baby and place that baby in his or her parents’ arms. Women raising their own children navigate this with clarity, which is why it is a standard requirement across reputable programs.
Healthy BMI: Fertility clinics require a BMI within a healthy range for embryo transfer, because BMI affects medication response and pregnancy risk. The precise cutoff varies by clinic — if you’re close, ask us rather than assuming.
Non-smoker, substance-free: No smoking, vaping, or recreational drugs, and no exposure to secondhand smoke in your home. Pregnancy safety is non-negotiable.
No major complications in prior pregnancies: A history of preterm delivery, preeclampsia, or similar complications requires clinic review. A prior C-section usually does not disqualify you — most clinics accept surrogates with up to two or three prior C-sections after records review.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident in an eligible state: Surrogacy law varies by state; see our State Eligibility guide. Nebraska and Louisiana are not currently available in our program.
Stable home and support system: A safe living environment and people around you — a partner, family, close friends — who support your decision. If you have a spouse or partner, they participate in screening and sign the agreement as well.
Financially stable: You cannot be receiving certain forms of government assistance; compensation should improve your life, not be a condition of it. This standard protects surrogates from financial coercion and is universal among licensed programs.

What Screening Involves

Once you pre-qualify, screening confirms — at no cost to you — that surrogacy is safe for your body and right for your life:

Medical records review: your pregnancy and delivery records, reviewed by the fertility clinic.
Medical workup: an exam, ultrasound, and lab work at the intended parents’ IVF clinic.
Psychological evaluation: a licensed mental health professional talks through the emotional landscape of surrogacy with you (and your partner).
Background check: standard for you and any adult in your household.

Screening is not an interrogation; it’s the program doing its job. Every cost is covered by the intended parents. Read what happens next on our process timeline.

Common “Do I Still Qualify?” Questions

I have an IUD: Fine — it’s removed before your cycle begins, at the intended parents’ expense.
I’ve had my tubes tied: You still qualify. Gestational surrogacy uses IVF embryo transfer; your tubes are not involved.
I had postpartum depression: Disclose it honestly. A resolved episode with a stable history is evaluated case by case by the psychologist — it is not an automatic no.
I have tattoos or piercings: Not disqualifying. Recent tattoos may involve a short waiting period per clinic protocol.
I’m breastfeeding: You’ll need to have weaned and resumed regular cycles before beginning medications.
I’m single: Single women absolutely qualify — a support system matters more than a marriage certificate.

If your question isn’t here, our Surrogate FAQ goes deeper — or just call.

Compensation Starts With Qualification

Meeting these requirements is the doorway to a package of $50,000–$65,000 base compensation — higher compensation is negotiable based on experience and geographic location — plus a full benefits schedule. See the complete compensation breakdown.

If pregnancy isn’t right for you but you still want to help build families, our egg donor program has a shorter commitment and different requirements — compare the two paths here.

Check Your Eligibility Today

One phone call answers most questions. Call 1-212-661-7177, email in**@***********ll.com, or start your application now.

Egg donation is a process where a woman (the egg donor) provides one or several eggs (also known as oocytes) for purposes of assisted reproduction, with the eggs being fertilized in the laboratory. Once fertilized, the resulting embryos are transferred to the recipient’s uterus to initiate a pregnancy, or they can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use.

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