Surrogacy in Washington helps a family grow while bringing monetary benefits into your home. This commitment requires clear expectations before starting the process. Acceptance requires uncomplicated previous births, strong physical health, and a reciprocal match with intended parents.
By handling appointment calendars, travel routes, and milestone payouts, we create an environment where you can focus on a healthy pregnancy.
Requirements to Become a Surrogate in Washington With American Surrogacy
Qualifying as a gestational surrogate requires documented delivery records, a healthy medical history and a stable home life. We base our physical criteria on American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines to keep your pregnancy safe.
Meeting these baseline qualifications lets you enter our program:
Prior cesarean deliveries do not disqualify you automatically from carrying. Most fertility clinics approve candidates who have up to two uncomplicated cesarean deliveries.
Review our full list of surrogate requirements to see how your medical history fits our criteria.
The Process to Become a Surrogate in Washington: Step by Step
The surrogacy process spans 12 to 18 months, guiding you through six structured stages from application to postpartum recovery. Our team manages travel, clinic scheduling and legal milestones so your experience progresses without preventable delays.
Step 1. Apply to Be a Surrogate and Complete Agency Screening: 1-3 Months
Your application begins with a brief online questionnaire that takes about five minutes. Our intake team reviews your submission within one business day to confirm your basic qualifications.
Over the next one to three months, our team coordinates background checks, medical record retrieval and a video consultation. Gathering prenatal records early prevents administrative bottlenecks before clinical clearance begins:
Medical Record Review: ~1-5 weeks Background Check: ~1 week Psychological Evaluation: Results available in ~1 week Insurance Review: ~1 week
Step 2. Match With Intended Parents: 0-2 Months
Matching takes zero to two months, connecting you with pre-screened intended parents who share your birth preferences. You review prospective parent profiles in complete privacy before deciding whether you want to meet them.
When you select a profile, our team hosts a guided video conference so both sides can connect. You only move forward when you and the parents agree that your expectations and communication styles align.
Learn how we screen intended parents to create safe, well-aligned matches.
Step 3. Complete Medical Clearance: 1-2 Months
Medical clearance spans one to two months at the intended parents' fertility clinic. Your clinical team conducts a gentle physical exam, routine blood panels and an ultrasound to evaluate uterine health.
Whether you live around Puget Sound or travel across Snoqualmie Pass, our team covers transit and lodging. You complete routine monitoring appointments at a local monitoring clinic near your hometown. Passing clinic screening allows attorneys to begin drafting your legal contract.
Step 4. Complete Your Gestational Carrier Agreement: 1-2 Months
Legal drafting takes one to two months, establishing your financial terms, legal parentage and medical autonomy. Washington law requires you to have independent legal counsel paid for entirely by the intended parents.
Your attorney reviews all contract clauses to verify that your compensation, delivery preferences and health rights are protected. Both parties sign the finalized contract before your clinic orders any embryo transfer medications.
Read our guide to the gestational carrier agreement to see how this contract protects you.
Step 5. Complete the Embryo Transfer: 1-2 Months
Embryo transfer occurs one to two months after legal clearance as a simple, outpatient clinic procedure. You take clinic-prescribed hormones ahead of time to prepare your uterine lining for implantation.
The transfer feels similar to a routine pap smear and takes approximately fifteen minutes without anesthesia. Your fertility doctor places the embryo while clinic staff ensure you remain comfortable throughout the visit.
You rest briefly at the clinic before heading home to relax for the remainder of the day. Review the full embryo transfer process to learn what to expect during your appointment.
Step 6. Confirm Pregnancy and Begin Receiving Monthly Base Payments: 9 Months
A clinic blood test confirms pregnancy 10 to 14 days after transfer by measuring hCG levels. A six-week ultrasound confirms a fetal heartbeat, triggering your first monthly base compensation disbursement.
An independent escrow account disburses your base pay across ten equal monthly installments. You see your own local OB-GYN for regular prenatal care and deliver at your chosen local hospital.
How Long Does Surrogate Screening Take?
Surrogate screening takes one to three months from initial application to match-ready status. The overall timeline depends primarily on how quickly your delivery hospitals release past medical charts.
Our specialists request and track those records directly from your providers to expedite the review. You can help prevent delays by taking proactive steps with your former delivery providers:
Contact your medical providers to authorize sharing your medical records Upload your insurance card and policy booklet (if applicable) Submit IDs for all household members 18+ Send your profile materials to your specialist as soon as possibleTips to Keep Things Moving
How Washington Law Affects Your Surrogacy Agreement
Gestational surrogacy contracts are fully enforceable under the Washington Uniform Parentage Act (RCW 26.26A). Enacted in 2019, this statute mandates independent legal counsel, protects surrogate autonomy and enforces financial agreements.
State statute requires every enforceable gestational agreement to meet specific baseline standards:
- Surrogates are at least 21 years old and have given birth previously
- Both sides complete medical and mental health screening
- Independent attorneys represent you and the intended parents separately
- All parties sign the legal agreement before embryo transfer medications begin
Escrow and Compensation Requirements
Washington law requires intended parents to fund an independent escrow account before you start transfer medications. A licensed escrow agent or qualified attorney manages disbursements for your monthly base pay and out-of-pocket reimbursements.
This structure secures funds upfront so you do not pay pregnancy-related costs out of pocket.
Independent Legal Representation
State statute mandates independent legal representation for surrogates, with all attorney fees paid by intended parents. Your attorney reviews compensation tables, medical release clauses and delivery room expectations before you sign.
You retain final approval over every contractual clause to protect your health and legal rights.
Insurance Requirements
Washington regulations require an insurance review to confirm your existing health policy covers gestational pregnancies. Our specialists audit your policy documents before contracts are drafted to identify potential surrogacy exclusions.
If your policy excludes surrogacy, intended parents purchase a specialized surrogate maternity insurance plan for you. Intended parents pay all premiums, copays and medical deductibles throughout your pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Abortion and Medical Decision-Making
Washington law protects your exclusive right to make your own medical choices under RCW 26.26A.715. No surrogacy contract can legally dictate decisions regarding termination, selective reduction or cesarean deliveries.
Our matching process pairs you only with intended parents who share your views on pregnancy interventions. Reaching alignment on medical values before treatment begins ensures mutual trust throughout the pregnancy.
How Much Do Surrogates Make in Washington?
Surrogates in Washington receive total compensation packages of $70,000 - $110,000+ for their time and physical commitment. First-time gestational carriers earn $70,000 - $80,000+ in base compensation.
Experienced surrogates who have completed previous successful journeys earn $90,000 - $110,000+ in base pay. You have the contractual right to negotiate base compensation and specific expense allowances.
Your compensation package includes standard allowances to cover everyday pregnancy expenses:
- Monthly allowance for personal and incidental out-of-pocket costs
- Embryo transfer fee
- Maternity clothing stipend
- Lost wage reimbursement for missed work during visits and recovery
- Childcare and housekeeping support if your doctor recommends bed rest
- Pumping stipend if you decide to provide breast milk after delivery
Your financial package also reflects individual factors like local living costs and twin pregnancies. Working surrogates receive lost wage reimbursement calculated directly from their verifiable pay rate.
We match verified offers if another licensed agency provides a higher compensation package. Use our online surrogate compensation calculator to view personalized estimates based on your location and experience.
Why Become a Surrogate With American Surrogacy?
American Surrogacy offers top-tier total compensation packages of $70,000 - $110,000+ backed by custom offer matching. You retain the power to negotiate your compensation terms, milestone fees and expense stipends.
Our mutual matching process gives you total choice over which intended parents you carry for. You review parent profiles privately and only move forward when values and communication expectations match.
Your dedicated specialist coordinates appointments, manages travel across Washington and oversees escrow disbursements. We provide independent legal representation and round-the-clock counseling support so you stay protected from start to finish.
What if You Don’t Meet the Requirements to Become a Surrogate?
Not meeting every qualification right now does not permanently disqualify you from becoming a surrogate. Temporary disqualifications like active breastfeeding, recent delivery or elevated BMI resolve naturally over time.
You can reapply once you finish weaning, restore regular cycles and reach six months postpartum. Candidates who adjust their BMI into the 19 to 32 range can also reapply for screening. If surrogacy is not a fit, our referral program offers a cash bonus for referring qualified candidates.
Apply to Become a Surrogate in Washington
Exploring surrogacy begins with a no-obligation conversation about your eligibility, potential compensation and family goals. Our five-minute online application provides a clear assessment of your qualifications and estimated financial package.
Contact our team online or call 1-800-367-2362 to speak directly with an American Surrogacy specialist today.