Surrogate Mother Requirements & Qualifications

What are the Requirements to Become a Surrogate Mother? What Does the Screening Process Look Like?

At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we value providing high-quality surrogate candidates. Each candidate must complete the screening process in order to move forward with a surrogacy journey. The screening process will review whether the applicant meets the requirements or if there is an unfortunate disqualification. 

To be considered for surrogacy and become a surrogate, you must:

1 | Must be a US Citizen

Surrogate applicants must be U.S. citizens and reside in a surrogacy-friendly state.

2 | Be Between the Ages of 21-38

A surrogate mother or gestational carrier must be between the legal ages of 21-38. Some agencies will accept candidates who are older; however, at Made in the USA Surrogacy, we cap our age limit to 38 due to parent preferences.

3 | Successful Prior Pregnancy

A surrogate mother must have a proven pregnancy history. The applicant must have had at least one full-term pregnancy without major complications.

A pregnancy needs to be carried to a minimum of 37 weeks in order to be considered full-term. If you carried multiples and delivered earlier than 37 weeks you may receive an exception after the circumstances are reviewed. 

A pregnancy history with the following complications may result in a disqualification: 

•     More than 2 c-sections
•     Hypertension
•     Medication controlled Gestational Diabetes
•     Pre-eclampsia 
•     Severe cholestasis
•     Multiple miscarriages 
•     Pre-term deliveries  

A thorough review of your pregnancy and delivery history will determine if you meet the requirements to become a surrogate. 

4 | Psychological Requirements

Each surrogate candidate will be required to complete a psychological evaluation. A review of any psychological diagnoses will be evaluated, usage of possible medications, and social factors. Surrogates who demonstrate a stable lifestyle will strongly be considered, however a history of various diagnoses may require further evaluation. 

Possible disqualifications will include:

•     The current usage of psychotropic medications. 
•     Mental health conditions such as bi-polar, schizophrenia, and depression
•     Concerns involving litigation
•     Concerns involve drug and alcohol abuse 
•     Abusive home environments 
•     Active divorce proceedings 
•     High-stress lifestyles 

5 | Maintain a Healthy BMI

All surrogate candidates must be within a healthy BMI range which is between 18-30. A normal weight will help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension. We encourage all applications who are outside of the BMI requirement to work on establishing a goal weight to achieve a healthy, normal BMI. Many surrogate applicants go on to a successful journey after a healthy weight has been obtained.

You can check your BMI using this calculator

6 | Non-smoker and No Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke

Surrogates must be non-smokers and should not be exposed to second-hand smoke, including vaping and medical marijuana. A smoke-free environment is essential for the health of the baby. All surrogate applicants will be required to complete a urine drug test. If any substances, including medical marijuana, are detected will result in a denial. All drug tests will also include the use of nicotine. Candidates who smoke, or vape will be denied. 

7 | No Criminal Record

Applicants must have a clean criminal record. This requirement is in place to safeguard all parties involved in the surrogacy process. Made in the USA Surrogacy, will complete a criminal background check on all surrogate applicants and any adults who reside in the home with her. All adults must consent to a criminal background check. Please be sure to discuss this step if you reside with any other adults. 

8 | Financially Sound

Financial stability is an important qualification to ensure that the surrogate is independent and not entering into the process out of financial necessity. Applicants who are receiving governmental financial assistance will not be accepted. WIC, food stamps, cash aid, section-8, and unemployment are examples of government assistance not accepted. 

9 | Reside in a Surrogate-Friendly State

You must live in a state that supports and permits surrogacy arrangements. Some states have legal restrictions against surrogacy, so this is a key requirement. (Refer to the map below for additional information.) It is imperative the surrogate maintains her residency in her state throughout the duration of the surrogacy process, and for delivery due to each state’s unique surrogacy laws. 

Surrogate-Friendly States

Each State Has Its Own Laws and Requirements

Each state in the U.S. has its own laws, regulations, and requirements regarding gestational surrogacy, making it essential to understand the specific rules for the state you live in. While some states are surrogacy-friendly and have clear legal frameworks allowing surrogacy arrangements, others may impose restrictions or have no explicit laws addressing surrogacy at all. Made in the USA Surrogacy currently does not accept candidates from the following states: Michigan, New York, Indiana, Louisiana, and Nebraska.

Knowing your state’s surrogacy laws is critical to ensuring a smooth and legally sound surrogacy experience. This includes understanding contract enforceability, parental rights, compensation guidelines, and other legal considerations that may vary by jurisdiction. Consulting with legal experts or agencies familiar with your state’s policies is highly recommended. At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we help you navigate these complexities and ensure that all legal requirements are met, providing peace of mind throughout your surrogacy journey.

Frequently Asked Surrogate Mother Requirements Questions

What disqualifies you from becoming a surrogate?

There are several factors that can disqualify someone from becoming a surrogate. These include having certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, or a history of complicated pregnancies, which may pose risks to both the surrogate and the baby. Additionally, surrogates must meet specific lifestyle and health requirements, and issues such as smoking, drug use, or untreated mental health conditions can also lead to disqualification. Legal and logistical factors, such as living in a state with restrictive surrogacy laws or failing to pass a comprehensive background check, may further prevent someone from qualifying as a surrogate.

How many times can I become a surrogate?

According to the ASRM, it is ideal a surrogate candidate does not have more than 5 previous pregnancies, and 3 cesarean deliveries.  Therefore, the number of times a surrogate candidate can be accepted will depend on the number of pregnancies and deliveries she has had. 

I’ve had multiple pregnancies, and only one had a complication. Am I still disqualified?

We understand that not all pregnancies are the same. If you experienced a complication in one of your pregnancies, but it did not replicate in a subsequent pregnancy you may still qualify. Please consult with the agency if you experienced any complications, but went on to have a healthy, normal pregnancy thereafter. 

I had an abnormal pap smear, can I still become a surrogate?

If you recently had an abnormal pap smear, please consult with your OBGYN about a possible colposcopy. Depending on your results you may need to wait until you have achieved normal results. Some doctors will recommend repeating your pap smear in 1 year.  

I’m currently going through a divorce, can I still become a surrogate?

Surrogate candidates who are actively going through a divorce will need to wait until their divorce is finalized before becoming a surrogate.

Conclusion