Our requirements exist to protect you, your health, and the families you will be helping. They are clear, fair, and worth reviewing carefully before you apply. If you meet them, we want to hear from you.
Surrogacy is a significant physical and emotional commitment. The requirements we set are aligned with guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and are designed to ensure that the women we work with are genuinely ready for the journey ahead.
A thorough screening process protects your health, gives intended parents confidence in the match, and sets the foundation for a smooth and positive experience for everyone involved.
Surrogates must be between 21 and 38 years old. This range reflects both the legal requirements for entering into a surrogacy contract and the medical considerations around pregnancy health and success rates.
You must have carried at least one full-term pregnancy without serious complications. This is one of the most important requirements in the process. Having experienced a healthy pregnancy yourself means you understand what carrying a baby involves and have demonstrated that your body is capable of doing so safely.
Certain pregnancy history factors may affect eligibility and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, including more than two prior C-sections, a history of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes requiring medication, severe cholestasis, hypertension, multiple miscarriages, or preterm deliveries. If any of these apply to you, we encourage you to apply and let our team review your history directly.
A BMI within the range of 18 to 30 is required. This is a standard medical guideline that helps reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. If your BMI is currently outside this range, many applicants work toward a healthy weight before reapplying, and we welcome those conversations.
Surrogates must be non-smokers and free from nicotine, vaping, and recreational or medical marijuana use. All applicants complete a urine drug test as part of the screening process. A smoke-free and substance-free environment is essential for the health of the baby and is a firm requirement.
All surrogates complete a psychological evaluation with a licensed mental health professional. The evaluation assesses emotional readiness, the stability of your living situation, and your support system. A strong support network at home is one of the most important factors in a successful surrogacy journey.
Factors that may affect eligibility include current use of psychotropic medications, untreated mental health conditions, active substance use concerns, ongoing legal issues, or significant instability in the home environment. Each application is reviewed individually.
Surrogates must be financially stable and self-sufficient. Applicants who are currently receiving government financial assistance are not eligible. This requirement ensures that the decision to become a surrogate is made from a place of genuine choice and readiness rather than financial pressure.
A background check is conducted on all applicants and any adults residing in the home. All household adults must consent to the check. This requirement is in place to protect all parties involved in the surrogacy arrangement.
Made in the USA Surrogacy works with surrogates who reside in California or another surrogate-friendly state. California’s legal framework for surrogacy is the strongest in the country, and maintaining residency in your state throughout the journey is required due to state-specific surrogacy laws. We do not currently accept applicants from Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, or New York.
All surrogates must be U.S. citizens residing in a state that permits gestational surrogacy.
Once you submit your application, our team reviews your information and reaches out to discuss next steps. If you appear to meet the basic qualifications, you will move into our initial screening process, which includes a phone or video consultation, a review of your pregnancy history, and eventually a medical and psychological evaluation once a match is in view.
We treat every application with care and respond to every inquiry personally. If something in your history requires a closer look, we will let you know directly rather than leaving you without an answer.
The application is the first step. It takes only a few minutes, and there is no obligation until you are ready to move forward. If you have questions before applying, we are happy to talk them through with you first. Working with surrogates across Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Northern California.
