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The Surrogacy Matching Process: How We Connect Surrogates and Intended Parents

Marketing Team

woman waving at computer screen

One of the most exciting parts of the surrogacy process is the matching of intended parents and their surrogate. At Circle Surrogacy, the perfect match depends on a few key factors. And once that match is in place, we encourage the development of strong relationships between all parties. After all, you’re about to embark on one of life’s most monumental journeys!


We strive to make the best possible matches for our IPs and surrogates. We believe that an honest and open relationship throughout the surrogacy process makes for an incredible journey for everyone involved. In order to achieve such a relationship, our surrogacy teams use a detailed and extensive matching process.


A Brief Overview of the Matching Process

pregnant woman making a heart with her hands

Once we have accepted a surrogate applicant into our program, our matching and legal teams determine possible matching options based on a variety of factors. These factors include:

  • Her state of residence

  • If she has health insurance

  • The matching preferences of the intended parents and surrogate


From there, we look at the matching criteria for both the surrogate and the intended parents, this helps us to see if they would be a good match.


Surrogate matching criteria includes her preferences on:

  • Level of communication during the journey

  • Location of the intended parents (in the U.S. or international)

  • Number of embryos to transfer

  • Views on selective reduction and termination


Intended Parent matching criteria includes their preferences on:

  • Level of communication during the journey

  • Location of the surrogate

  • Number of embryos to transfer

  • Views on selective reduction and termination


We send a profile of the intended parents (with identifying information redacted) to the surrogate. If she expresses interest, we will send her profile to the intended parents (again leaving out all identifying information). Once the surrogate and the prospective parents express mutual interest, we arrange to have them communicate – usually a first meeting via video call – to become more familiar with each other. If the surrogate has children and/or a partner or spouse, the intended parents meet them as well.


How Surrogates are Screened for Matching

Top view of questionnaire and laptop computer

Before the matching can begin, we review the hundreds of surrogate applications that come in each month. A screening process allows a licensed social worker to review bankruptcy and criminal background checks as well as medical records and the applicant’s overall readiness to be a surrogate. If she advances beyond this initial screening, a member of our social work team conducts a phone interview with the applicant, as well as an additional interview with the applicant’s primary support person (PSP). Should the applicant make her way through these various checkpoints, she is approved to begin matching.


Once she is approved, our in-house legal team will evaluate the available legal matching options. Surrogacy law varies by state – the state in which the surrogate plans on delivering dictates the legal procedures possible and the type of parents who can be matched with a surrogate in that state.


Lining Up Intended Parents and Surrogates

Once IPs agree to work with Circle to build their family, they are added to our queue. This list is used during matching; however, our social work team, when finding matches, balances the waitlist with the quality of fit in order to achieve a timely yet comfortable match.


Main Requirements for Matching Surrogates and Intended Parents

We use 3 main requirements to connect a surrogate and intended parent(s):

  1. Legal fit

  2. Personality fit

  3. Views on selective reduction and abortion

Legal fit is the best place to start since surrogacy laws vary from country to country and state to state. Our legal team works alongside lawyers from the surrogate’s and IPs’ home region in order to be sure that the legality matches.


Once the legal matters are resolved, the social work team strives to find the best personality fit while also honoring the waitlist. Using our knowledge of the IPs and surrogates, we try to generate matches so that both share similar expectations, hopes, and dreams for their upcoming journey. The Circle team sends the profiles of the proposed match to both parties. If the IPs and surrogates express mutual interest, we continue the matching process.


The third requirement is based on the IPs’ and surrogates’ respective views on selective reduction and abortion. Since it is ultimately the surrogate’s decision, in the case that either selective reduction or abortion may be a consideration, it is important that the two parties are on the same page on these matters.


Surrogates and Intended Parents Meet on Video Call

Couple smiling while looking at computer screen

Finally, the two parties schedule a video call to talk about the journey and any other thoughts or questions. At the conclusion of the conversation, if both the surrogate and the IPs are interested in moving forward, they are officially matched and ready to proceed to the next stage of the process!


We have successfully made thousands of matches, leading to happy families and the births of over 2,800 babies. Please visit our site for more information on the surrogacy journey and to learn more about our surrogacy agency. We have 6 offices across the United States and one in London, UK.

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