Thinking about becoming a surrogate in California? There are a few requirements you’ll need to meet first.
While California surrogates are in high demand domestically and internationally, not every woman is eligible for this process. Being a surrogate is hard work, and it comes with certain risks; a woman must be 100 percent prepared for the upcoming challenges before she can start this journey. That’s why California surrogacy requirements exist.
In order to be a surrogate, you must be medically and psychologically approved for the process. Any professional that you work with — whether it’s an agency, attorney or clinic — will require you to meet California surrogacy qualifications before moving forward. American Surrogacy is the same.
But, what exactly are the surrogacy requirements in California?
Every professional has slightly different requirements, but they all tend to follow the guidance set forth by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. American Surrogacy’s requirements are the same. Below, you can learn a bit more about our agency’s surrogate mother requirements in California and across the U.S.
Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, so we encourage you to contact our surrogacy specialists at 1-800-875-BABY(2229) with any questions you may have.
Step 1: Meet Our Program’s California Surrogacy Requirements.
The very first of our agency’s California surrogacy qualifications are a set of standards that we require for all gestational carriers — regardless of what state they live in.
Based on our experience and the guidance of medical professionals, we’ve created a list of requirements that best reduce the risks and liabilities of the surrogacy process. While they may seem restrictive at first, these requirements are in place to keep you as safe as possible on your journey to becoming a gestational carrier.
In order to become a surrogate with our agency, you must first meet these basic requirements:
- Age range 21–38
- BMI of 19–32 (learn your BMI)
- No smoking or illicit drug use
- At least one successful pregnancy, but no more than five vaginal births and no more than four Cesarean births
- Six months need to pass since last vaginal or cesarean birth
- Currently raising a child
- No major complications from previous pregnancies
- Pap smear completed within one year
- Not receiving state assistance
- Ability to travel as needed for surrogacy appointments
- No felony convictions
- No tattoos or piercings in the last six months
- Cannot be on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication for 12 months
- No untreated addiction, abuse (child, sexual or physical), depression, eating disorders or traumatic pregnancy, labor and/or delivery
All of these requirements are set for a reason, and our surrogacy specialists are always happy to answer your questions about them. They can also discuss your personal situation in more detail to determine if exceptions can be made in your situation.
Learn more by contacting our agency today.
Step 2: Meet With Our Surrogacy Professionals.
If you meet the basic California surrogacy requirements with our agency, we encourage you to submit an initial application on our website. A specialist will then be in contact to walk you through the rest of the screening process.
Before we set up your screening to become a surrogate in California, we will talk with you at length about your personal surrogacy desires and your current situation. American Surrogacy is dedicated to empowering women to make the best choice for their families, and that means being fully educated about the pros and cons of the surrogacy process before beginning.
When you’re ready to move forward, we will require you to complete your initial medical and social history forms. We’ll compare your personal information to our California surrogacy requirements to ensure surrogacy will be safe for you. At the same time, we will run background checks on you and your spouse (if applicable) and set up an in-home assessment with a licensed social worker. All of these steps are to confirm that you can provide a safe environment for an intended parent’s baby while in utero.
Your surrogacy specialist will be there to support you through every step of your screening process. You can ask questions and share your concerns about our surrogate mother requirements for California anytime.
Remember: Whether you are ultimately approved or disqualified from surrogacy, these screening services will be free of charge to you and your family.
Step 3: Complete Medical and Psychological Screening.
The last step before being approved for the surrogacy process is to complete more detailed screening by a medical professional.
First, you and your spouse (if applicable) will complete a psychological screening. A mental health professional will discuss with both of you the potential challenges and risks of the surrogacy process. They may talk about how you will feel carrying a child for someone else and how your family may be impacted by your decision. You may even be presented with some “what-if” situations to prepare yourself for some of the more unpredictable emotional aspects of surrogacy.
You will also need to be medically cleared by a doctor before you can become a surrogate. This screening will be completed at your intended parent’s fertility clinic and will typically include:
- A review of your personal and sexual history
- A physical exam, including an examination of your uterus
- Blood and urine tests
- And more, depending on your medical history
These tests will ensure that your body is 100 percent prepared for the challenges of the surrogacy medical process. Once a doctor approves you, you will have met all of the California surrogacy requirements — and after signing a legal contract with intended parents, you’ll be ready to start the surrogacy medical process!
Understanding the surrogacy requirements in California can be complicated, which is why our team of surrogacy specialists is always available to answer your questions. Learn more about California surrogacy qualifications or start your surrogacy journey today when you contact our surrogacy specialists.