Choosing to become a surrogate is one of the most powerful and meaningful things you can do, offering the profound gift of parenthood to a family.
Your unique ability to give this gift deserves to be rewarded, ensuring your own family benefits from the significant surrogate compensation you earn.
If you have had a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, you likely meet the basic surrogate requirements. Let's walk through the steps for how to become a surrogate in Maryland and connect you with a specialist today.
How to Become a Surrogate in Maryland: 6 Steps
With professional guidance, your path to become a surrogate in Maryland is clearly laid out in six sequential phases:
Step 1: Determine if Surrogacy is Right for You
Start by confirming your personal readiness and commitment level. Honest evaluation of your emotional state is key, and you can get help from a surrogacy professional for answers to your questions.
Step 2: See If You Qualify
To ensure the healthiest pregnancy, you must meet all surrogate requirements and pass our comprehensive medical and psychological screening. This check provides insight on whether surrogacy will be safe for you.
Not sure if you meet the qualifications?
When you reach out, we'll help you understand if you qualify and guide you through every step of the process.
Talk to a surrogacy specialist today for more qualifications details.
Step 3: Find Intended Parents
We utilize a detailed process to find families that you’ll connect with and we introduce you to intended parents whose values align with your own.
Step 4: Surrogacy Contracts
Working with an experienced reproductive law attorney, you will agree to a legally binding Gestational Carrier Agreement (GCA) with the intended parents. The intended parents pay for your separate legal counsel, ensuring your rights and surrogate compensation are clearly laid out.
Step 5: Become Pregnant
Following the medical clearance at the fertility clinic, you will begin the procedures necessary for the embryo transfer and to achieve pregnancy.
Step 6: Pregnancy and Delivery
Scheduled base payments continue throughout the pregnancy. The journey concludes with the birth, fulfilling the dreams of a family by allowing them to have the incredible gift of parenthood.
What Are the Requirements to Be a Surrogate in Maryland?
Maryland is a surrogacy-friendly state with few state restrictions. These qualifications, combined with our agency's standards, ensure you're ready to become a surrogate in Maryland and protect everyone involved in the journey.
Here are the basic surrogate requirements:
- Age 21-40 years old (must deliver by or before 44)
- BMI between 19-32 (BMI must be under 35)
- Have given birth to at least one child (that you're currently parenting)
- Had healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies
- No more than 5 vaginal births or 3 C-sections
- In good overall physical health
- Non-smoker in a smoke-free home
- U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Financially stable (not relying on compensation for basic bills)
- Strong support system
- No history of substance abuse
- No criminal history
If you meet most or all of these requirements, you likely qualify. Even if you're unsure about one or two, reach out. We'll help you understand if surrogacy is right for you.
Talk to a Surrogacy Specialist for more help with qualifications.
How American Surrogacy Supports You Through the Journey in Maryland
American Surrogacy provides the best services for your surrogacy journey in Maryland.
Services for Surrogates in Maryland
We carefully screen and only work with the best intended parents, ensuring we find families whose values align with yours. Our screening ensures you know what to expect with education and honest conversations. We work with the best reproductive law attorneys to protect your rights and understand your state laws. Throughout your journey, we're here for medical guidance, emotional reassurance and communication help to ensure you have the best experience possible. You’ll know exactly what you'll be paid and when. Whether we're managing payments directly or working with a trusted escrow partner, all the financial logistics are handled professionally. Our relationship doesn't end at delivery. We support you through postpartum and help facilitate whatever relationship you want with the family.Services for Surrogates
Discover How We Support Maryland Surrogates
Is There Anything Unique About Becoming a Surrogate in Maryland?
Maryland is consistently ranked as a highly favorable and inclusive state for gestational surrogacy. Here are the key things to know about surrogacy in Maryland:
- Pre-Birth Orders for All Families: Maryland courts allow pre-birth parentage orders to be granted to married, unmarried, and single intended parents, regardless of sexual orientation or genetic connection to the child. This simplifies the legal process and ensures the intended parents are the legal guardians from day one.
- Compensated Surrogacy is Accepted: Although there is no specific statute, compensated (paid) surrogacy is routinely practiced and contracts are generally enforced by the courts. This means your base compensation is secure.
- LGBTQ+ Inclusive: Maryland is an LGBTQ-friendly state where same-sex couples and single parents can safely pursue surrogacy. Courts routinely grant pre-birth orders to same-sex couples.
- No Medical Need Mandate (Best Practice Recommended): Maryland law doesn't explicitly require a medical reason for surrogacy. However, working with a reputable agency means only matching with intended parents who have a medical need, which is considered best practice.
Common Questions from Surrogates in Maryland
Why do surrogate requirements exist?
These stringent requirements are based on the ethical standard of minimizing risk and maximizing a positive experience for all parties. They are informed by medical guidelines and years of professional best practices. The age and pregnancy history rules follow the recommendations of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), ensuring optimal health and safety.
How long does it take to become a surrogate in Maryland?
The total estimated duration of the surrogacy journey, measured from your first agency contact to the baby's arrival, is typically 15 to 24 months, with the initial phase of screening and finding a family being about 1-4 months. This timeframe accounts for all major milestones: screening, legal review, matching, and the 9-month pregnancy. However, this timeline is variable depending on a variety of factors.
How much do surrogates get paid in Maryland?
Surrogate compensation packages in Maryland range from $55,000 - $110,000+. Your ultimate total compensation depends on several personal variables, including your history as a surrogate and your location. The full financial arrangement is comprehensive, covering your base fee, medical care costs, a monthly stipend, and compensation for maternity needs.
How does the surrogate matching process work?
Our program emphasizes a mutual, values-based match—the single most important predictor of success. We conduct a thorough analysis of your preferences: the style of communication you prefer, your involvement in clinic appointments, your vision for a post-delivery relationship, and the core values you seek in the family. After reviewing compatible profiles, introductions often begin with a friendly video chat, and we commit to finding a match that feels right.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to learn the full scope of how to become a surrogate in Maryland, here is the three-part start:
Step 1: Request Your Free Maryland Surrogacy Guide
Submit our brief form to receive all the detailed information on how to become a surrogate in Maryland, including surrogate requirements, the pay scale, and the secure legal structure of the process.
Step 2: Connect with a Maryland Surrogacy Specialist
A surrogacy specialist will contact you within 24 hours. This relaxed, informative discussion is your chance to get answers to all your specific questions and receive expert counsel.
Step 3: Explore If Surrogacy Is Right for You
We will help you determine if surrogacy is a good fit, ensuring your decision is made with complete honesty and clarity.