How To Become a Surrogate

Becoming a surrogate (gestational carrier) typically involves meeting basic health and lifestyle requirements, completing an application and medical/psychological screening, matching with intended parents, and going through IVF and pregnancy with ongoing support.

At Circle Surrogacy, we guide you through each step—from your first application to delivery and postpartum—so you can decide if surrogacy is the right fit. Below, we break down the qualifications, timeline, and what to expect throughout the journey.

Surrogate Requirements 

Being a surrogate is an incredible experience for you, your family, and the intended parents who you are helping bring a child into the world. Gestational surrogates are motivated by the desire to help others and often enjoy being pregnant. Our surrogates are healthy, dedicated, and well-informed women who are supported by a strong personal network of loved ones. 

While motivation and good intentions are a major part of becoming a surrogate, we require that potential surrogates meet a list of initial criteria, which helps us determine if a woman is a viable candidate for surrogacy early on in the process.

Potential surrogates must meet the following criteria (among others): 

• Be between the ages of 21 and 42 

• Have given birth to and are currently parenting at least one child 

• Have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries 

• Have a BMI under 33 (Calculate my BMI) 

• Live in a surrogate-friendly U.S. state (not Nebraska or Louisiana)

• Demonstrate financial stability 

• Abstain from illegal drug use, tobacco, or alcohol abuse 

• Have a reliable support system

To see if you would initially qualify to become a surrogate, visit our Surrogate Requirements page for a more in-depth look at our criteria.

The Surrogacy Process: Step by Step

Becoming a surrogate involves several stages. The entire process is designed to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of everyone involved. 

Research and Application 

It's important that you spend time finding the right surrogacy agency that meets all of your personal requirements and feels like the right fit for you and your needs. Once you feel ready, complete an online application. Applications typically cover personal, medical, and lifestyle information to determine initial eligibility. 

Screening and Consultation

If you are accepted based on your application and meet the initial criteria, you will next submit paperwork for your agency to get to know you better. Additionally, your agency will collect medical records and do a background check. Then, you and your support person will have a consultation with a mental health professional to discuss your motivations and expectations.

Matching With Intended Parents 

Agencies will help you find the right intended parent match for you based on your set of preferences, the number of embryos to transfer, your views on selective reduction and termination, and additional legal, medical, and personal compatibility. Profiles are exchanged, and a video call helps both parties get to know each other. 

Medical Screening and Legal Contracts

You will attend an overnight medical screening at your intended parents' IVF clinic. Your intended parents will cover the travel expenses. Both you and your intended parents will work with separate legal counsel to draft and sign the Carrier Agreement. 

Medications and Embryo Transfer

During this stage, you'll begin your medication cycle to prepare your body for the embryo transfer and attend your local monitoring appointments. These appointments will be at a clinic near where you live (not at your intended parents' IVF clinic). Monitoring appointments consist of bloodwork and ultrasounds to ensure your body is responding properly to the fertility medications.

When the doctor has determined that your body is ready, you and your support person will travel to your intended parents' IVF clinic for the embryo transfer. This is usually a 3 to 7-day trip. 

The embryo transfer itself is a relatively quick procedure. Many intended parents attend the embryo transfer to spend time with their surrogate in person.

Pregnancy and Delivery

If the embryo transfer is successful, your IVF clinic will monitor you until about 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. You will then transition to your own OB/GYN. 

Throughout your pregnancy, you will receive continuous support from your agency, as well as maintain communication with your intended parents. Your agency will also help coordinate delivery and post-birth arrangements because, before you know it, it will be time to deliver and witness your intended parents meeting their baby for the first time!

Fourth Trimester and Postpartum

The fourth trimester is all about you and your healing. Surrogates should spend time with the intended parents and their new baby while they're still local if they wish to do so. It can be a time filled with many emotions—pride, excitement, and maybe even a little sadness that the journey is over—so focusing on you and your recovery is crucial to this stage of the surrogacy process. Be sure to give your mind and body time to rest, recover, and reset, and revel in the incredible journey you just completed!

Ready To Start Your Surrogacy Journey? 

Surrogacy is a journey of compassion, commitment, and connection. By becoming a surrogate, you have the unique opportunity to change lives and help dreams of parenthood come true. Get started with Circle Surrogacy today by completing our online application for surrogates. Our experienced, compassionate team looks forward to guiding you through this meaningful journey.