Choosing to become a surrogate in North Dakota is a deeply meaningful way to help someone achieve their dream of parenthood. The path involves passing agency health checks, completing background screening, connecting with compatible intended parents, executing a formal gestational contract, and completing an embryo transfer at an IVF clinic.
American Surrogacy stands by your side from day one, ensuring your legal protections, health choices, and financial security remain fully safeguarded throughout your experience.
Requirements to Become a Surrogate in North Dakota With American Surrogacy
To give yourself and the baby the best environment for a healthy pregnancy, prospective surrogates must satisfy key medical, age, and lifestyle guidelines:

The Process to Become a Surrogate in North Dakota: Step by Step
Carrying a child for an intended family follows a structured sequence designed to prioritize your safety, comfort, and legal peace of mind:
Step 1. Apply to be a Surrogate and Complete Agency Screening: 1-3 Months
Your journey begins with a quick online application to confirm your initial eligibility. Our agency team then walks you through background reviews and medical history collection:
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 assist you in building a surrogate profile that reflects your personality, values, and vision for pregnancy. Through our mutual matching model, you review profiles of intended parents and select the family you feel inspired to help.
Step 3. Complete Medical Clearance: 1-2 Months
After matching, you travel to the intended parents' fertility clinic for an in-person health exam. A reproductive endocrinologist conducts bloodwork, screening tests, and a uterine evaluation to issue formal medical clearance.
Step 4. Complete Your Gestational Carrier Agreement: 1-2 Months
Before starting any medication routines, you consult with an independent attorney licensed in North Dakota. Your lawyer reviews all terms—including compensation schedules, medical choice boundaries, and delivery preferences—so your legal interests are protected.
Step 5. Complete the Embryo Transfer: 1-2 Months
Once legal clearance is established, you follow a medication plan to prepare your uterine lining. On transfer day, the IVF physician gently places the embryo into your uterus during a brief, outpatient procedure.
Step 6. Confirm Pregnancy and Begin Receiving Monthly Base Payments: 9 Months
A blood test two weeks post-transfer checks your hCG levels to confirm pregnancy. Once an ultrasound detects a heartbeat, your monthly base compensation starts and continues until delivery.
How Long Does Surrogate Screening Take?
Agency and medical screening typically takes between 1 and 3 months to complete. Requesting your previous prenatal and delivery records early can significantly streamline your timeline:
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 North Dakota Law Affects Your Surrogacy Agreement
Gestational surrogacy is explicitly recognized under North Dakota statutory law (N.D.C.C. § 14-18-08). State law provides that a child born to a gestational carrier is legally the child of the intended parents for all purposes, making gestational surrogacy a well-established and secure legal path.
Escrow and Compensation Requirements
To protect your financial security, intended parents fund all agreed-upon surrogate compensation into an independent, licensed escrow account before transfer. This escrow setup ensures your monthly base payments, reimbursements, and allowances are disbursed reliably without delay.
Independent Legal Representation
While North Dakota statute establishes parental rights, entering a detailed legal contract requires independent representation. Intended parents pay all attorney fees for your independent legal counsel so you receive dedicated advice with zero personal expense.
Insurance Requirements
Prior to starting medication, an insurance specialist reviews your health policy to identify any surrogacy exclusions. If your personal policy excludes surrogate pregnancies, intended parents purchase a dedicated supplemental policy to safeguard you from unexpected medical bills.
Abortion and Medical Decision-Making
North Dakota maintains specific statutory guidelines regarding reproductive healthcare. Your gestational carrier agreement includes clear, pre-agreed terms on selective reduction and termination that reflect your personal ethics before any medical procedures occur.
How Much Do Surrogates Make in North Dakota?
Surrogate compensation packages in North Dakota generally range from $70,000 - $110,000+ in total financial value.
- First-Time Surrogates: Base pay typically ranges from $45,000 to $55,000.
- Experienced Surrogates: Returning surrogates can earn $60,000 to $75,000+ in base pay for their proven pregnancy history.
- Expense Coverage: Packages include monthly allowances, maternity wear budgets, covered travel fees, and lost wage protections.
Your final earnings depend on factors like your location, employment status, and pregnancy details. Explore personalized figures using our online surrogate compensation breakdown calculator.
Why Become a Surrogate With American Surrogacy?
Partnering with an experienced agency ensures your journey is safe, organized, and financially transparent:
- Top-Tier Compensation: We offer competitive base pay structures, negotiable allowance options, and a pledge to match higher qualifying agency offers.
- Personal Control and Protections: Benefit from mutual matching, dedicated legal representation under North Dakota law, and thorough screening for intended parents.
- Support That Stays With You: Work directly with a personal surrogacy specialist and mental health professionals who check in with you throughout your pregnancy.
What If You Don’t Meet the Requirements to Become a Surrogate?
If you do not satisfy every requirement today, you may still be able to become a surrogate down the line. Weaning from breastfeeding, giving your body time to heal after birth, or reaching a target BMI can reopen your application in the future.
If surrogacy isn't an option for you right now, you can still help build families through our referral program. Sharing our agency with qualified women allows you to support others while earning a referral bonus when your referral enters our program.
Apply to Become a Surrogate in North Dakota
Taking your first step toward becoming a surrogate begins with our brief online application form. In just a few minutes, you can check your eligibility, learn about your compensation potential, and plan your next steps.
Reach out to a surrogacy specialist online today. We're here to provide immediate support and clear information so that you can make the best decision for your family's future.