How to Become a Surrogate in California

Have you ever thought about helping someone become a parent?

You can help create a family through surrogacy in California — and get the support, protection, and care you deserve along the way.

With some of the strongest surrogacy laws in the U.S., world-class medical professionals, and a community that celebrates surrogates, California is one of the best places to begin this life-changing journey.

So, do you qualify? If you've had a healthy pregnancy and you're in good overall health, you probably meet our basic requirements. Even if you're not sure, we're here to help you figure it out.

Let's walk through what becoming a surrogate in California looks like. You can also talk to one of our specialists for more details to see if surrogacy is right for you.

How to Become a Surrogate in California: 5 Steps

The process of becoming a surrogate in California follows these five steps. While every individual journey is unique, here’s an outline of what you can expect:

Step 1: Determine if Surrogacy is Right for You

Research what surrogacy means and talk to your family. Consider your motivations and make sure you're ready for this journey. If you have questions, reach out to us anytime.

Step 2: See If You Qualify

To ensure you're physically and emotionally ready to become a surrogate in California, you'll need to meet certain qualifications and complete our screening process. Even if you're unsure about a requirement, contact us. We'll help you understand if you qualify.

Step 3: Find Intended Parents

After qualifying, we’ll help you find the perfect match. We'll create a surrogate profile and connect you with intended parents whose values align with yours.

Step 4: Become Pregnant

After matching with intended parents, you'll complete a medical screening process with their clinic and work with an attorney to create a surrogacy contract. Once complete, you'll begin the medical process to become pregnant as a surrogate in California.

Step 5: Pregnancy and Delivery

Once pregnancy is confirmed, you'll begin receiving regular surrogate base payments (don’t worry – there are other payments that come before this!). You'll continue regular prenatal care until the baby is born and experience the incredible moment when parents meet their child.

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.

How American Surrogacy Supports You Through the Surrogacy Journey in California

With more than 30 years of proven success creating families, we've perfected the art of making your surrogacy journey positive and meaningful.

Services for Surrogates in California

We Find the Right Matches
We carefully screen and only work with the best intended parents, ensuring we find families whose values align with yours.

We Prepare You Completely
Our screening ensures you know what to expect with education and honest conversations.

We Advocate for You
California has strong, surrogate-friendly laws, and we work with the best reproductive law attorneys to protect your rights.

We're Available for You
Throughout your journey, we're here for medical guidance, emotional reassurance and communication help to ensure you have the best experience possible.

We Make the Finances Simple
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.

We Stay Connected After Birth
Our relationship doesn't end at delivery. We support you through postpartum and help facilitate whatever relationship you want with the family.

Discover How We Support California Surrogates

Is There Anything Unique About Becoming a Surrogate in California?

California is one of the best places in the country for surrogacy. There are a few main reasons for that:

Exceptional Legal Protections: California has been a leader in surrogacy law for decades.
World-Class Medical Care: California is home to the nation's leading fertility clinics and reproductive medicine specialists with cutting-edge technology and experienced doctors.
A Welcoming Community: Surrogacy is deeply understood and celebrated here. Your OB will likely have experience with gestational carriers, and you'll find support groups throughout the state.
Meaningful Compensation: California surrogates typically receive competitive compensation that reflects both the cost of living and the incredible value of what you're offering.
Perfect Climate: California's mild climate means you won't navigate icy walkways in your third trimester, with easy access to prenatal yoga and wellness resources.

When you become a surrogate in California, you're doing something incredible in a place that provides the absolute best support system.

What Are the Requirements to Be a Surrogate in California?

These qualifications ensure you're ready to become a surrogate in California and protect everyone involved in the journey.

Before we dive deeper, let's make sure surrogacy is a good fit. Here are the basic requirements:

Age 21-40 years old
BMI between 19-32
Have given birth to at least one child (that you're currently raising)
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.

Why Surrogacy Requirements Exist

These qualifications aren't arbitrary. They're based on medical guidelines and decades of surrogacy experience. The age range and pregnancy history requirements follow recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), designed to protect your health and ensure the best possible outcomes.

The financial stability requirement exists to put you in the best situation, too. Surrogacy is emotionally complex, and having stable finances and a strong support system means you can focus on the journey itself rather than external pressures.

These standards protect everyone involved: you, the baby, and the intended parents who are trusting you with their future family.

See Complete California Surrogate Requirements

How Long Does it Take to Become a Surrogate in California?

From first contact until delivery, the journey to become a surrogate in California typically takes 15-24 months:

Pre-Matching (2-6 months): Application, screening, and finding your perfect match.
Preparation (2-3 months): Getting to know intended parents, medical screening, psychological evaluation, and legal contract review.
Medical Process and Pregnancy (10-12 months): Preparing for transfer, embryo transfer, and pregnancy. Not every transfer works the first time, and that's completely normal.

Your timeline might move faster if you're flexible about preferences or live in a major California city. It might take longer if you have specific preferences or need to time things around personal commitments.

One surrogate told us: "I thought 18 months sounded like forever. But looking back, it flew by. Watching those parents hold their baby made every single day worth it."

How Much Do Surrogates Get Paid in California?

In California, surrogate base compensation typically ranges from $55,000 - $110,000+. Your specific compensation depends on whether it's your first journey, your location, and other factors.

Many women who choose to become surrogates feel an internal conflict about receiving payment. And that makes complete sense.

We are here to tell you that you deserve fair payment for this commitment. Take it form Brittany, one of our surrogacy specialists and a 4x surrogate herself:

"You’re making someone’s dream come true, especially for intended parents who may have been struggling for decades. As a surrogate, being able to change that perspective for them is incredibly powerful. You’ve made a real difference in someone’s life, and that feels amazing.”

Explore California Surrogate Compensation Details

Finding Intended Parents in California

Finding the right intended parents is one of the most critical parts of your journey. Our program is designed to find the best match for you – and California can bring some unique benefits to the process, too.

How We Create Matches
We invest time understanding what matters to you: communication frequency, appointment involvement, relationship after birth, and values that are important in the family you're helping create.

California's Diverse Community
You might match with a couple who has struggled with infertility, same-sex partners building their family, or a single parent choosing parenthood.

What the Relationship Feels Like
Some surrogates form lifelong friendships. Others maintain a warm but professional relationship. Neither is better or worse; it’s all about what you need to have the best journey.

You'll typically meet potential intended parents via video call first. If you don't click, we keep looking until we find your match.

Learn How We Match California Surrogates with Intended Parents

Am I Ready to Become a Surrogate in California?

So, what do you think? Could becoming a surrogate in California be the next chapter of your life?

If you’re unsure, here are some things to think about:

Ask Yourself:

Why do I want to become a surrogate?
Would I still feel drawn to this if compensation were less?
Does my partner/family support this?
Who will help during the journey?
Am I financially stable?
Can I commit to 18-24 months?

You're Likely Ready If:

You've thought about it for a while
Your own family is complete
You have genuine support from loved ones
The idea genuinely excites you
You meet the basic requirements

Consider Waiting If:

You're in the middle of major life changes
You're still growing your own family
Your family strongly opposes it
You're experiencing financial hardship

Here's How to Get Started

Step 1: Request Your Free California Surrogacy Guide

Fill out our simple form in just 2 minutes. We'll send you comprehensive information about becoming a surrogate in California, including requirements, compensation, and what makes the Golden State special for surrogacy.

Step 2: Connect with a California Surrogacy Specialist

Within 24 hours, one of our experienced specialists will reach out for a relaxed, no-pressure conversation about your situation and answer all your questions about surrogacy in California.