Meeting the Surrogate Requirements & Qualifications
Are you considering applying to become a surrogate? We are so grateful to hear this and know your future Intended Parents are also. Surrogacy is an extraordinarily fulfilling and exciting role. It is also a considerable commitment which requires several involved steps.
Surrogate Mother Requirements in the USA: What Are They?
To protect everybody involved—surrogates, Intended Parents and coming babies—there are several legal requirements to be a surrogate in the US. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the legal requirements for surrogacy before submitting an application.
In the US, surrogacy laws are often determined on a state-by-state basis. This can have an impact on local surrogate mothers’ requirements. Some agencies and IVF clinics might also have their own rules and conditions to consider. While there are some differences, many requirements for surrogacy remain set in stone, regardless of location.
Medical Surrogate Mother Qualifications
Many of the aforementioned surrogate mother qualifications are medically related. It is paramount for surrogates to be both physically and mentally healthy!
There are several surrogacy requirements surrounding medication itself. Unfortunately, certain medications, including some forms of birth control and antidepressants, will render you ineligible to become a surrogate. If you are unsure whether or not your medications are surrogacy-sanctioned, get in touch with our team.
Once you have established that you meet the basic health requirements and all of your medications are surrogacy-friendly, you can apply to become a surrogate. Being completely honest about your health in your application and interview is crucial! You will undergo extensive psychological and physical screening after matching with a family to confirm your medical eligibility. You can only proceed with your surrogate agreement upon medical clearance.
To receive medical clearance, you will undergo a series of medical exams and screenings. These will include:
- Full physical exam
- Cervical swab
- HIV test
- Hepatitis test(s)
- Syphilis screening
- HTLV-1 test
- Hormone and prolactin level checks
- ABO typing
- RH typing
- Drug test
- Psychological Screening
Personal Surrogate Mother Qualifications
Your personal circumstances will impact your eligibility to become a surrogate. Perhaps the most significant of these surrogate requirements is experience. The only people who are eligible to become surrogates are parents themselves. All surrogates must have previously given birth to their own child(ren,) and are required to still live with them.
Other lifestyle factors impact surrogate eligibility. We require all of our surrogates to have a clean record with no criminal history. They also must be entirely drug and tobacco-free and financially stable.
If you dream of becoming a surrogate but don’t meet all of the personal requirements, get in touch with our team. In some cases, making lifestyle changes (like quitting smoking) could help you become eligible for this role.
BMI Requirements for Surrogacy
Weight and BMI can be sensitive topics, and we are well aware that healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes! It’s important to remember that while requirements for surrogacy are very rigid, they exist for your benefit. Women with a higher BMI can have a harder time conceiving. Further, they have a higher statistical risk of developing certain dangerous conditions during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
As Extraordinary Conceptions serves all of North America, our BMI requirements differ slightly depending on location. Here in the US, we accept applications from surrogates with a BMI of up to 36. This rule also applies to our Canadian surrogates.
These numbers may feel restrictive, but they are not fixed. If you can bring your BMI within the eligible range, you can apply to become a surrogate!
Age Requirements for Surrogacy
Like BMI, the age limit for surrogacy may feel restrictive. However, there is a bit of flexibility surrounding these requirements, depending on experience. Some applicants over the age of 39, like those who have previously been a surrogate, may still be considered eligible. This will depend on several factors.
If you are older than the general age requirements for surrogacy but believe you would be a great fit, please contact our team.
Who is Eligible for Surrogacy Pay?
Eligibility for surrogacy compensation is determined by location. In many US states, commercial surrogacy is legal. Surrogates in those states will be eligible to receive payment; this compensation tends to be between $49,000 and $60,000. Surrogate compensation is paid on top of benefits and pregnancy-related reimbursements.
While all surrogates in commercial-supported states are eligible to receive compensation, amounts can vary. “Higher-demand” surrogates (often those with more experience or in popular locations) may be paid a higher amount.
Surrogacy Requirements by State
Your surrogacy requirements might look different depending on where you live. Surrogacy itself is a state-by-state issue, and it is not currently legal everywhere.
(California, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Washington)
In these states, gestational surrogacy is fully legal and enforceable. Here, pre-birth orders will be granted, and both parents will be on the birth certificate.
Though gestational surrogacy is legal in all of these states, some have pieces of intricate legislation. We recommend speaking to your coordinator for more information about your state.
(Louisiana and Michigan)
These states don’t allow surrogacy or have very limited options. Contracts also might not be enforced in these states. We don’t currently recommend surrogacy here.
Do You Have the Qualifications to be a Surrogate?
If you indeed meet all of the requirements for surrogacy, congratulations! You might be on your way to making your dreams of helping another family into a reality. That’s where our services come in. Our team works closely with our surrogates and intended parents to create an intimate and supportive environment for everyone involved.
Register here, and our team will contact you shortly about your next steps. We are so excited to speak with you and help you along your journey.
