Become a Surrogate
Key Points
- As a surrogate, you're the missing piece to someone else finally making their dreams of parenthood a reality.
- You can change your family's life with the compensation you earn for providing this amazing service.
- You're in control of your surrogacy journey every step of the way.
The key to any successful journey is understanding what lies ahead. We're here to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed and confident decision.
You can learn more in the guide below or by speaking with a surrogacy specialist today.
How to Become a
Surrogate [5 Steps]
We are here to provide guidance, support and answer any questions you have throughout the process of becoming a surrogate. Here's how it works:
Determine if Surrogacy is Right for You
Research is a big component when considering surrogacy, we have resources and testimonials that can help your decision making process.
If you have questions, we recommend filling out our form!
See If You Qualify
To ensure you're physically and emotionally ready for surrogacy, you will need to meet certain surrogate qualifications and complete our screening process.
If you see a qualification that you don't meet, don't be discouraged. Here's what you can do if you don't qualify.
Find Intended Parents
After qualifying to be a surrogate, you will work with your surrogacy specialistSurrogacy SpecialistA certified professional who coordinates all the necessary services on your behalf. Our specialists are the main point of contact for your journey; they’ll simplify the process for you. to find the perfect match. You will create a surrogate mother profile that you will use to find intended parentsIntended ParentsThe couple who will the raise the child. Our screening process ensures you are only connected with carefully vetted parents that share your surrogacy goals.
Become Pregnant
After you match with intended parents, you'll complete a medical screening process, and then work with an attorney to create a surrogacy contract that outlines your expectations and pay. Once this is complete, you'll begin the medical process to become pregnant as a surrogate.
Pregnancy and Delivery
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, you'll begin receiving surrogate payments. You'll continue regular prenatal care and preparation until the baby is born.
How Does Being a
Surrogate Work?
Below, we'll break down the key points of how being a surrogate works.
We've developed a program that gives you, as the surrogate, the best experience possible. Here are a few of the hallmarks of our surrogate services:
- A track record of success: With more than 30 years of proven success through a trusted process of family building, surrogates achieve their goals of helping someone else become a parent. You can view surrogate testimonials to hear more from surrogates like you.
- Consistent and timely communication: Your time is valuable to us. Your surrogacy specialist will be available to answer any questions, respond to requests and lend guidance every step of the way.
- Highest surrogate compensation: Compensation for becoming a surrogate gives you the chance to do something amazing for your family, like pay off debt, start a college fun or go on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation...
- Personalized Services: You're in control of your surrogacy journey every step of the way. Our surrogacy process is tailored to your needs and preferences.
- Thorough screening processes: We thoroughly screen our surrogates and intended parents to ensure everyone is prepared for the journey ahead.
Finding the perfect surrogacy match is one of the most exciting parts of the surrogacy process. These are the people whose lives you’re about to change. We’ll take your personal preferences, location and compatibility into account so that you can:
- Create a surrogate mother profile: Outline your surrogacy goals and expectations for potential matches.
- Find intended parents: We’ll help you find great intended parents that match your preferences.
- Get know the intended parents: Once you find a match, we’ll arrange a mediated phone call where you and the intended parents can ask questions and get to know each other.
Once you've been matched with intended parents, you'll be able to begin the medical process. Here are a few key things to know about how a surrogate becomes pregnant:
- Prep for embryo transfer: After you complete a medical screening with a fertility clinicFertility ClinicThe medical office that will oversee IVF for surrogacy. We have a network of medical professionals we can refer you to., you'll begin a regimen of fertility medications to prepare yourself for the embryo transferEmbryo TransferThe final stage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) that involves transferring one or more embryos into the uterus when conditions are optimal. .
- The embryo transfer: You will not be genetically related to the baby because surrogates do not share DNA with the baby. The embryoEmbryoThe earliest stage of development after the female egg is fertilized by male sperm. In surrogacy, embryos are created by intended parents and transferred to a surrogate through IVF. is created using the sperm and egg of the intended parents or a donor, and is then transferred to your uterus through IVFIVFA procedure that involves retrieving a woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm sample and combining the two in a laboratory, creating an embryo. This fertilized embryo is then transferred to medically to the uterus of the surrogate..
- Pregnancy and prenatal care: Once a pregnancy has been confirmed by your fertility clinic, you'll continue prenatal care and attend regular appointments with your OB/GYNOB/GYNA medical professional that specializes in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth and in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs. to monitor your pregnancy until the baby is born.
After a pregnancy has been confirmed, you will begin receiving surrogate pay. With our surrogate compensation package, you can earn $50,000 - $110,000+. Here are some things to know about surrogate pay:
- You deserve the highest compensation: The surrogate pay you receive is to compensate you for your time and effort and acknowledge the amazing service you're providing.
- It's yours to spend however you like: The surrogate pay you receive can change your and your family's lives
- Your surrogacy costs are covered: Our surrogate compensation package will cover all of your surrogacy-related expenses
See Our Surrogate Compensation Breakdown
Surrogate
Compensation
Breakdown
Total Compensation:
$50,000 - $110,000+
What's Included:
- Monthly Allowance
- Start of Medications Bonus
- Mock Cycle Payment
- Travel Expenses
- Signing Bonus
- Social Work Screening Bonus
- Medical Screening Bonus
- Start of Base Pay
- Transfer Payment
- Maternity Clothes
- 3rd Trimester Self Care
- Medical Procedures Bonus
- C-Section Payment (if required)
- Multiples Bonus
- Bed Rest Coverage
- Post-Pregnancy Self Care
- Pumping Breast Milk (if agreed upon)
- Counseling Costs (if needed)
- Lost Wages
- Spouse Lost Wages
- Personal Gifts
- Referral Bonus
- Life Insurance & Complications Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Housekeeping Payments
- Family Meal Payments
Reasons to Become
a Surrogate
Becoming a surrogate is more than an opportunity to help create families – it's a chance to change the lives of everyone involved. Here are a few reasons to consider:
- The chance to help create a family: You get to be the hero for a couple or individual by giving them the chance to experience the joys of parenthood.
- The highest compensation possible: You'll receive surrogate pay for the amazing services you're providing. How would you use your pay for your family? See how others have used their pay.
- Control over your surrogacy journey: Our surrogacy process is designed to be tailored to your needs and preferences, including the type of family you want to help become parents.
- A life-long bond: Surrogacy is a collaborative experience that can give you the opportunity to form a forever bond with the intended parents you help.
- Comprehensive support: We'll be in your corner every step of the way to provide you with consistent guidance and support.
What's It Like to Be
a Surrogate?
Becoming a surrogate is an experience unlike any other. Here are some common questions asked by women like you.
- You get to be a hero for a hopeful couple.
- You'll feel a sense of purpose toward helping others have the family they’ve always dreamed of.
- You will feel proud of yourself for accomplishing your surrogacy goals and earning surrogate pay that can change your family's lives.
- You will learn more about yourself.
- You'll experience closeness with your support system and the intended parents.
- Screening processes
- Building relationships with the intended parents
- Creating legal contractsLegal ContractsAn agreement between parties that creates mutual obligations that are enforceable by law. All surrogacy contracts are drafted by licensed attorneys.
- Taking fertility medications
- Regularly attending appointments
- Pregnancy and delivery
- Leaning on your support system
- Fulfillment of giving the gift of parenthood
Jade's Story
Jade shares her experience being a surrogate.
Themes:
Choosing an Agency,
Our 24-7 Support, Fulfillment
"I didn't just have babies for somebody else; I gained an entire family through the whole process….It was the most rewarding thing in the entire world. I would do it all over again.”
- Megan, Surrogate
"If you have the confidence in yourself to go on this new journey you are going to be such a necessary component to completing another family's journey. That journey will teach you so much about yourself, it's a beautiful thing."
- Jade, Surrogate
"I would say my favorite part was seeing how happy Dave and Melissa were when they got to see the ultrasounds of Alden, video chat during doctor's appointments, hearing his heartbeat, and watching him move around. As a parent, those are really special moments, and I was happy that I got to share that with them."
- Chelsea, Surrogate
Want to hear from other surrogates? Click here
.4 Things to Consider Before
Becoming a Surrogate
There are aspects of the surrogacy process you'll want to consider before you become a surrogate. Here's what you should know:
1. You Must Qualify to Become a Surrogate
To ensure that you are physically and mentally ready to become a surrogate, there are requirements that you must meet. These requirements are in place to protect you and the baby you'll carry.
- Age 21-40
- BMIBMIShort for Body Mass Index, a tool that estimates your amount of body fat using your height and weight. The ASRM recommends a BMI of 19-32 for surrogates. 19-32
- At least one successful prior pregnancy
- Currently raising a child
- No other complications with previous pregnancies
- No felony convictions
- Must have been off anti-depressantsAnti-depressantsMedication that treats clinical depression. Having a history of anti-depressant use doesn’t disqualify you from being a surrogate with us. or anti-anxiety medicationsAnti-anxiety MedicationsMedication that treats symptoms of anxiety such as fear, dread, uneasiness and more. for the last 12 months
- No smoking or illicit drug use
*Some exceptions may apply; contact us for more info.
If you meet our qualifications, you will then go through a screening process that consists of:
- Completing the social and medical history formSocial And Medical History FormPaperwork with information about you and your family’s history that might impact your journey. These forms will help us determine whether surrogacy is a viable option for you.
- Collecting medical records of previous pregnancies
- Scheduling an in-home visit
- Completing a psychological evaluation
- Undergoing an insurance review
2. Your Surrogacy Journey can Last 1-2 Years
The journey to helping someone else finally become a parent is worth every minute. From medical appointments to maintaining a healthy pregnancy for nine months, you will have to plan around various aspects of the surrogacy process.
Witnessing the love the intended parents have as they hold their newborn baby and knowing that you made that possible is an unparalleled experience.
The coolest part about the birth was that I was surrounded by so much love. I remember looking up and seeing them hold him. They had this baby that they fought for, so much. That they prayed for, that they cried for. And now to see them holding him and to see the joy in their faces, it was so worth it. It was the best feeling."
3. Having a Support System is Important
Before becoming a surrogate, it's important that you have a support system in place to lend practical and emotional support. Whether it's family or friends, having people who you can depend on to help with childcare when you're at appointments, assist with errands and daily tasks, provide encouragement and emotional support, etc. can be a huge asset.
4. Surrogate Pay Starts When a Pregnancy is Confirmed
Earning $50,000 - $110,000+ in surrogate pay is a significant reason to become a surrogate. When you complete your surrogacy contract and begin the medical process, you will begin receiving a monthly stipend to cover out-of-pock expenses like prenatal vitamins, local travel, etc. Your base payments will begin when the pregnancy is confirmed.
Just as you are the missing piece in to helping hopeful parents grow their family, the surrogate compensation you earn could be the missing piece in changing your and your family's lives. You can use your surrogate pay to:
- Start a college fund for your child
- Take a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation
- Have debt-free household
Becoming a Surrogate
in Your State
We're proud to work with surrogates from all over the country. Because surrogacy laws and professionals can vary state-to-state, it's important to know what being a surrogate in your state will look like. Find your state below to learn more about becoming a surrogate in your area.
How Do I Get a Surrogate
Mother Application?
You can complete our application in just a few minutes to become a surrogate today.
FAQ about Becoming
a Surrogate
Can I Carry a Baby for Someone Else?
Yes! You can carry a baby for someone else by becoming a surrogate with our agency. Fill out our surrogate application form, and we will be in touch with you shortly to help you begin your surrogacy journey.
Can I Become a Surrogate Without an Agency?
You can become a surrogate without an agency, but there are more risks involved. Without an agency, you'll have to handle every aspect of your surrogacy journey on your own. This includes finding the right match, managing insuranceInsuranceA guarantee of compensation for specified situations in return for payment of a premium. Our team can help you navigate insurance coverage on your journey., finding and coordinating with medical and legal professionals, paying for additional expenses, etc.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Surrogate?
The surrogate application process can take a couple of days. After applying to become a surrogate, we'll contact you immediately to review your application. Once we verify that you meet our initial qualifications, you can move onto the screening process, which can take 1-3 months. When you've successfully completed our screenings, you can officially become a surrogate!
Can I Be a Surrogate Without Having a Child?
Unfortunately, no. Becoming a surrogate without a previous pregnancy is not possible with our agency. Two of our most important qualifications are that you have had at least one successful prior pregnancy and must be currently raising a child.
These are based on standards set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)American Society For Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)ASRM is a leader in the field of advancing the science and practice of reproductive medicine. All of our clients are screened using ASRM guidelines. and are to ensure that you know what to expect from being pregnant and can carry a pregnancy to term to minimize risks to you, the child and the intended parents.
If you would like to become a surrogate at a later date after you have had a child, please stay in touch! We would love to work with you then.
Can I Become a Surrogate for a Gay Couple?
Yes! Surrogacy is a popular family-building method for LGBT+ couples, as it gives them the chance to have a child that they share a biological connection with. If you’re interested in being a surrogate for a gay couple, you can specify this in your surrogate mother profile so your specialist can help you find the perfect match.
Can I Work While Being a Surrogate?
Absolutely! Having a job will not prevent you from becoming a surrogate. However, keep in mind that you may miss some work for screenings, the embryo transfer, OB appointments and delivery and recovery. You will be reimbursed through our surrogate compensation package for any lost wages you may experience during your surrogacy journey.
How Many Times Can You Be a Surrogate?
We do not have a limit on how often you can be a surrogate, but we do require that you have had no more than five vaginal births and no more than three C-sections. These qualifications are in accordance with standards set by the ASRM and are to protect the well-being of you and the baby you'll carry.