Becoming a surrogate gives you the opportunity to help intended parents experience the joy of parenthood. Before beginning your journey, understanding the requirements to be a surrogate can help you determine whether this path is right for you.
At American Surrogacy, our requirements are designed to protect your health and well-being throughout the process. Even if you're unsure whether you meet every qualification, our specialists can help you understand your eligibility and explore your next steps.
Why Are the Requirements to Become a Surrogate So Specific?
Surrogate requirements may seem extensive, but they're designed to protect your health, the baby you carry and the intended parents throughout the surrogacy process. These standards are informed by guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to help ensure a safer experience for everyone involved.
The requirements go beyond physical health, considering your pregnancy history, emotional well-being and personal circumstances. They help reduce avoidable risks and ensure you have the support and resources needed throughout your journey.
These standards aren't meant to be restrictive, judgmental or discourage you from helping another family. Every woman's circumstances are different, and our screening process considers your individual needs to ensure everyone is safe, supported and prepared for the journey ahead.
Pregnancy History and Health Requirements
Your previous pregnancies and deliveries help us determine whether carrying another baby would be safe for you. At American Surrogacy, we have specific pregnancy-history requirements to help reduce potential complications and protect your health. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- At Least One Successful Pregnancy: You must have carried and delivered at least one child. This gives fertility specialists a better understanding of how your body responds to pregnancy and childbirth.
- Currently Raising a Child: You must be raising a child in a stable home environment. This helps ensure you have firsthand parenting experience and a supportive foundation for your surrogacy journey.
- No More Than Five Births or Three C-Sections: Multiple deliveries, particularly C-sections, can increase the risk of complications in future pregnancies.
- No Serious Pregnancy Complications: A history of severe preeclampsia, significant postpartum hemorrhage or other major complications may disqualify you due to the risks of another pregnancy.
Some pregnancy complications may be reviewed individually. Through our surrogate screening process, we can assess your medical history and determine whether another pregnancy is safe for you.
Surrogate BMI Requirements
To qualify as a surrogate, you must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 19 and 35. This requirement helps reduce potential health risks during fertility treatments and pregnancy.
BMI is considered during medical screening because it can affect how your body responds to fertility medications and your risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
If your BMI falls outside this range, it doesn't necessarily mean you can't become a surrogate in the future. Once you meet the BMI requirement, you can reapply and have your eligibility reviewed again.
Mental Health Requirements for Becoming a Surrogate
Carrying a child for another family is a significant emotional commitment. Our psychological screening process helps ensure you have the emotional stability, coping skills and support system needed throughout your journey.
A history of anxiety or depression doesn't automatically disqualify you, especially if your symptoms are well-managed and don't interfere with daily life or coping with stress. However, more severe or unmanaged conditions may affect your eligibility.
Certain diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder, are disqualifying due to the increased risk of postpartum psychosis. These requirements are designed to protect your mental health and ensure surrogacy is a safe and appropriate experience for you.
Can You Be a Surrogate if You Take Antidepressants or Anxiety Medication?
Yes. Taking medication for anxiety or depression doesn't permanently disqualify you, and you can still apply while taking it. However, American Surrogacy requires you to be safely off these medications for at least 12 months before beginning the medical process.
Some women can safely continue taking these medications during their own pregnancies with their doctor's approval, but surrogacy programs often have stricter requirements to protect your health and the baby you're carrying for the intended parents.
Any changes to your treatment should be made with guidance from your prescribing doctor. They can help you safely taper off medication, if appropriate, while ensuring your mental health remains stable.
Lifestyle Requirements
Your daily habits and living environment play an important role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Surrogates must meet certain lifestyle requirements to help protect their health and the baby they carry. Key lifestyle requirements include:
- No Nicotine or Tobacco Use: You and everyone in your household must be smoke-free, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.
- No Recreational Drug or Marijuana Use: You must remain drug-free throughout the surrogacy process, including avoiding marijuana use even in states where it is legal.
- No Alcohol During Medical Cycles or Pregnancy: You must avoid alcohol once fertility medications begin and throughout your pregnancy.
- Stable Living Situation and Financial Independence: You must have safe housing, reliable transportation and a stable source of income without relying on government cash assistance.
These requirements help ensure you have a safe, stable environment and can consistently attend medical appointments, follow medication schedules and manage the responsibilities of surrogacy.
Surrogate Age Requirements
To qualify as a surrogate, you must be between 21 and 40 years old. This age range helps reduce potential pregnancy risks and ensures you're prepared for the responsibilities of surrogacy.
Pregnancy at a younger age can involve certain medical risks, including high blood pressure. Our minimum age of 21 also allows time to gain previous pregnancy experience and develop the emotional maturity needed for surrogacy.
For women over 40, the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and high blood pressure increases. This is why we set our upper age limit at 40, even for women with a history of healthy pregnancies.
How Long Do You Need to Wait After Having a Baby?
You must wait at least six months after giving birth before beginning medical screening for surrogacy. This gives your body time to recover from pregnancy and delivery, allowing your uterus to heal and your hormone levels to return to normal.
You must also be finished breastfeeding before starting fertility medications, as breastfeeding can affect hormone levels and your menstrual cycle. Your cycle will need to return to a regular pattern before you can begin preparing for an embryo transfer.
However, you don't have to wait until you've fully recovered or stopped breastfeeding to explore surrogacy. You can begin the application process and speak with our specialists about your eligibility while preparing for the next steps.
What Happens During American Surrogacy’s Screening Process?
Our surrogate screening process helps ensure you're physically, emotionally and practically prepared for surrogacy. Each step allows us to review your qualifications, identify potential concerns and determine whether moving forward is appropriate for you.
Medical Record Review: ~1-5 weeks Background Check: ~1 week Psychological Evaluation: Results available in ~1 week Insurance Review: ~1 week
Once you've completed the necessary screening steps, you'll have a clearer understanding of your eligibility and what comes next.
What Can Disqualify You From Being a Surrogate?
Certain medical conditions, pregnancy complications and personal circumstances may prevent you from qualifying as a surrogate. While some requirements are firm, others depend on your individual health history and may require additional review. Common factors that can affect your eligibility include:
- No Previous Successful Pregnancy: You must have carried at least one pregnancy to term and be raising a child.
- Multiple Previous Deliveries: Having more than five previous births or three C-sections exceeds our program's requirements.
- Pregnancy Complications: A history of severe preeclampsia, premature delivery or other significant complications may require further medical evaluation.
- Chronic Health Conditions: Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease may make another pregnancy unsafe.
- Mental Health Concerns: Certain unresolved mental health conditions or medications may affect your eligibility.
- Criminal History: Felony convictions or certain offenses involving household members may prevent approval.
- BMI Outside the Required Range: You must have a BMI between 19 and 35 to qualify.
Not meeting every requirement right now doesn't necessarily mean you can't become a surrogate in the future. Some factors, such as your BMI or recent pregnancy, may change over time, allowing you to reapply once you meet the requirements.
If you're unable to qualify, you can still help intended parents grow their families by participating in our surrogate referral program.
If You Qualify, How Much Can You Make as a Surrogate?
Becoming a surrogate is a meaningful commitment, and your compensation should reflect the time, effort and dedication involved. With American Surrogacy, you can earn $70,000–$110,000+ in total compensation, depending on your experience and individual circumstances.
Our surrogate compensation ranges include:
- First-Time Surrogates: $55,000–$65,000+ in base compensation.
- Experienced Surrogates: $70,000–$90,000+ in base compensation.
Your base compensation is the amount you receive for carrying the pregnancy, paid in monthly installments after a heartbeat is confirmed. Your total compensation also includes additional payments and allowances for expenses such as maternity clothing, travel and lost wages.
Your compensation is also negotiable based on your experience, location and individual circumstances. We work with you to determine a compensation amount that reflects your commitment, including considering higher qualifying offers when applicable.
How Many Times Can You Be a Surrogate?
There is no set limit on how many times you can be a surrogate, but your pregnancy history determines whether you qualify for another journey.
Based on guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), we accept women who have had no more than five total births or three C-sections, including their own pregnancies and previous surrogate pregnancies. Multiple pregnancies and C-sections can increase the risk of complications during future pregnancies.
However, some fertility clinics limit surrogates to two previous C-sections, which may affect your matching options. Your overall health and pregnancy history will also be evaluated to ensure another pregnancy is medically appropriate.
See If You Qualify to Become a Surrogate With American Surrogacy
Every woman's health and pregnancy history is different, and you may have questions about how certain requirements apply to you.
Fill out our online contact form today to connect with a specialist who can help you understand your initial eligibility, discuss concerns about your medical history and help you prepare for the screening process.