Becoming a surrogate in Illinois involves a multistep process, but in the end, you have the opportunity to make an extraordinary difference in a family’s life and earn compensation that can create new possibilities for your own family.
American Surrogacy is here to help you navigate these steps, ensuring you are protected, informed, and respected from your first application through delivery.
Requirements to Become a Surrogate in Illinois With American Surrogacy
To ensure your body is fully prepared for the physical demands of pregnancy, you must meet specific medical and lifestyle criteria.
These baseline qualifications are designed to protect your health, minimize risks, and give you a safe, empowering surrogacy experience in Illinois.
The Process to Become a Surrogate in Illinois: Step by Step
Knowing what lies ahead allows you to plan your surrogacy journey with confidence. Here is how your experience will progress from your first form to delivery day.
Step 1. Apply to be a Surrogate and Complete Agency Screening: 1-3 Months
Your journey starts with a quick online application to confirm your initial eligibility.
Once accepted, you will enter American Surrogacy’s screening phase to make sure you are physically, emotionally, and socially prepared for pregnancy.
Our screening process includes: 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
We believe you should have agency over who you carry for. You will review detailed profiles of background-checked intended parents who are hoping to work with you, looking at their values, family dynamics, and expectations.
When you find a profile that resonates with you and the feeling is mutual, your specialist will facilitate an introductory call to confirm the match.
Step 3. Complete Medical Clearance: 1-2 Months
After matching, you will travel to the intended parents’ fertility clinic for a comprehensive medical evaluation.
Clinic staff will conduct routine bloodwork, a physical exam, and uterine scans to confirm your body is ready to carry a pregnancy. Once the fertility doctor grants medical clearance, you move to the legal phase.
Step 4. Complete Your Gestational Carrier Agreement: 1-2 Months
Before taking any fertility medications, you and the intended parents will create a formal gestational carrier agreement.
Under Illinois law, you will be represented by your own independent reproductive attorney—fully paid for by the intended parents—who will protect your rights, verify your compensation package, and secure your medical autonomy.
Step 5. Complete the Embryo Transfer: 1-2 Months
With your legal contract finalized, you will follow a medication schedule from the fertility clinic to prepare your uterine lining.
The embryo transfer itself is a quick, minimally invasive procedure at the clinic, followed by a brief resting period before you head home.
Step 6. Confirm Pregnancy and Begin Receiving Monthly Base Payments: 9 Months
About 10 to 14 days after transfer, a blood test will confirm your pregnancy.
As soon as an ultrasound detects a fetal heartbeat (typically at 6 weeks), your monthly base compensation payments will begin.
Throughout your pregnancy, your dedicated specialist will provide continuous check-ins and support as you receive prenatal care from your local Illinois OBGYN.
How Long Does Surrogate Screening Take?
Surrogate screening typically takes 1 to 3 months to complete.
While some parts of the timeline depend on medical record retrieval and clinic scheduling, there are ways you can keep the process moving efficiently:
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 Illinois Law Affects Your Surrogacy Agreement
A surrogacy agreement establishes the legal framework for your experience, outlining compensation, expense reimbursement, medical responsibilities, and parental rights.
Illinois has some of the most comprehensive, supportive, and well-defined surrogacy laws in the country under the Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act.
When the statutory requirements are met, intended parents are recognized as the child's legal parents immediately upon birth, and you hold no legal or financial responsibility for the child.
Escrow and Compensation Requirements
Illinois law requires that your surrogacy compensation and reimbursable expenses be managed and held by an independent, bonded escrow agent.
This ensures that your agreed-upon compensation is secure, fully funded by the intended parents before any medical procedures take place, and disbursed on a reliable schedule, removing the risk of you covering approved expenses out of pocket.
Independent Legal Representation
The Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act mandates that you have independent, ongoing representation from an Illinois-licensed attorney of your choosing, and that the intended parents pay for those legal fees.
This requirement guarantees that your rights are protected and that you fully understand the contract before signing, ensuring you never have to navigate complex legal negotiations alone.
Insurance Requirements
Under Illinois law, the intended parents are responsible for ensuring you have adequate health insurance coverage for the surrogacy pregnancy and for eight weeks postpartum.
Your attorney will review the policy during the contract phase to confirm there are no surrogacy exclusions, protecting you from facing unexpected medical bills related to the pregnancy or delivery.
Abortion and Medical Decision-Making
Illinois law protects your bodily autonomy and medical decision-making rights.
Your surrogacy agreement must allow you to make all health and welfare decisions about yourself and the pregnancy, and it gives you the right to choose your own pregnancy-care physician (after consulting with the intended parents).
Any contract clause attempting to waive these rights or force a medical procedure may be legally void in Illinois.
How Much Do Surrogates Make in Illinois?
American Surrogacy believes you deserve to earn as much as possible for your extraordinary commitment. First-time surrogates can earn $55,000 - $65,000+ in base compensation, with total compensation reaching $70,000 - $110,000+.
If you are an experienced surrogate, your proven track record is reflected in higher base compensation, typically ranging from $70,000 - $90,000+.
Your base pay is only one part of your overall financial package. You will also receive milestone bonuses (for completing steps like medical screening and embryo transfer) and a monthly allowance to cover incidentals like maternity clothing and travel.
All your medical, legal, and surrogacy-related travel expenses are paid separately through a secure escrow account, ensuring you never pay out of pocket to be a surrogate.
Compensation can be negotiated based on your location, experience, and the specific intended parents you match with—and we will match qualifying higher compensation offers from other agencies.
Why Become a Surrogate With American Surrogacy?
Choosing the right agency directly impacts your safety, compensation, and overall experience.
- Highest-Possible Compensation: We offer experience-based pay, negotiable compensation, and the ability to match higher qualifying offers so you can make a meaningful financial difference for your family.
- More Control and Stronger Protections: You are never assigned to a family. Our mutual matching process gives you a say in who you help. We also ensure you have independent legal counsel and work only with intended parents who have passed rigorous background screening.
- Support That Stays With You: You have direct access to experienced surrogacy professionals and mental health support whenever you need guidance, reassurance, or advocacy—from your first application through delivery and beyond.
What If You Don’t Meet the Requirements to Become a Surrogate?
If you do not currently meet the qualifications to become a surrogate, it does not necessarily mean the door is permanently closed. Some requirements, such as BMI or the age of your youngest child, can change over time. If your circumstances shift, we encourage you to reach back out and reapply.
If you know you cannot carry a child but still want to be involved in the surrogacy community, consider our referral program. If you refer a qualified woman who becomes a surrogate with us, you can earn a referral bonus while helping connect families.
Apply to Become a Surrogate in Illinois
If you are ready to take the next step, or if you simply want to know what compensation might look like for you, applying is the clearest way to get answers.
See whether you qualify to become a surrogate and what your next steps could look like with American Surrogacy.