Becoming a surrogate mother is one of the most life-affirming decisions a woman can make. This generous choice plays a vital role in helping intended parents achieve their dreams of building a family. But before you step into this incredibly personal and rewarding role, it’s important to choose a surrogacy agency that respects, protects, and supports you throughout the entire surrogacy process.
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we believe every woman deserves full transparency and dedicated support. Asking the right questions helps ensure you’re working with a good surrogacy agency—one that is fully committed to your well-being and the overall success of your family building journey. Below, we break down the six most important questions to ask any prospective surrogacy agency, along with why each one matters.
Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
Surrogacy is not just a medical arrangement—it’s a very personal journey involving legal, emotional, and financial considerations. Asking these questions helps you find the right surrogacy agency for you and determine whether an agency offers safe medical care, provides strong legal protections, and has a proven record of successful matches and strong surrogacy agency success rates.
The surrogacy experience should never feel transactional. It should be centered on mutual trust, emotional support, and careful planning—for the surrogate mother, the intended parents, and the future child.
1. How Do I Get Started to Become a Gestational Carrier?
What to Expect from the Application and Intake Process
When connecting with a surrogacy agency, ask about their intake process. Do they offer a clear timeline? Are you paired with a dedicated coordinator? A trustworthy agency will walk you through every step, explaining eligibility, expectations, and how they support gestational carrier candidates.
How Many Staff Members Will Support Me?
Knowing how many staff members are available to support you can indicate how responsive and hands-on the agency is. Ask if you’ll have a case manager, a nurse, and access to an experienced support team who understands the unique challenges of gestational surrogacy.
2. What Are the Requirements to Be a Surrogate—and How Does the Agency Fully Screen Candidates?
The Importance of a Rigorous Screening Process
A comprehensive screening process is essential—not only for your safety but also for the success of the match and the health of the baby. Ask about medical and psychological screenings, background checks, and whether previous pregnancy records are reviewed.
How Many Surrogates Does the Agency Work With?
Understanding how many surrogates the agency has worked with helps give perspective on their experience and infrastructure. It’s also worth asking how many successful surrogacies the agency has completed—this will help you gauge their professionalism and ability to manage complex journeys.
3. What Happens After I’m Accepted—and What Is the Agency’s Typical Match Time?
The Matching Process and Timeline
Every agency handles its matching process differently. Ask about the agency’s typical match time and how they approach finding the right match. Do they ask about your values, communication preferences, and comfort level with certain types of intended parents?
Reviewing the Agency’s Match History and Outcomes
The agency’s match history reveals how carefully they select and coordinate matches. Look for agencies that emphasize compatibility and strong communication, both key in determining successful outcomes for everyone involved.
4. Do I Get a Say in Who I Help?
Your Voice in the Matching Process
You deserve to have a say in who you work with. Ask if you’ll meet the intended parents prior to finalizing the match. Initial agency matches should always be based on shared values and comfort—not pressure.
Supporting Intended Parents While Honoring Your Boundaries
While supporting intended parents is a core part of your role, it’s just as important that the agency respects your needs and ensures that both you and the family feel aligned and empowered throughout the surrogacy process.
5. What Kind of Support Do You Offer Throughout the Surrogacy Experience?
Emotional and Logistical Support from Surrogacy Professionals
From application through postpartum recovery, a reliable agency should offer continuous care. Ask whether you’ll have access to support groups, mental health resources, and round-the-clock contact with coordinators.
Working with Fertility Clinics and Other Surrogacy Professionals
You may need to coordinate appointments between both your fertility clinic and the intended parents’ providers. The agency should ensure smooth coordination between fertility clinics, egg donor programs, and other surrogacy professionals involved in the egg retrieval, medical prep, and embryo transfer process.
6. How Does Compensation Work—and Will the Agency Adequately Compensate Me?
Transparency Around Surrogacy Agency Fees and Legal Costs
Ask for a detailed explanation of all surrogacy agency fees, legal fees, and reimbursements. This includes base compensation, medical coverage, maternity clothes allowance, and pay for key milestones.
Will the Agency Adequately Compensate You?
A trustworthy agency will always adequately compensate surrogates for their physical and emotional effort. Compensation should reflect the time, energy, and health risks involved—and should never be vague or hidden in contracts.
Legal Paperwork and Payment Security
Ensure the agency provides separate legal representation through a qualified lawyer or escrow specialist, and that they manage legal paperwork professionally and securely. Payments should be handled through a third-party escrow account to guarantee transparency and timeliness.
7. What Legal Services and Success Rates Should I Expect from a Surrogacy Agency?
Why Legal Assistance Is a Non-Negotiable for Surrogates
As a prospective surrogate, you should be provided with independent legal representation to review your surrogacy contract and explain your rights. Legal clarity protects your interests and ensures the best outcome for you and the intended parents future child.
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we include legal services as part of every surrogacy agreement. You’ll work with a knowledgeable lawyer or escrow specialist who understands state-specific surrogacy law and will guide you through the entire legal process with care.
Surrogacy Agency’s Overall Success—What Should You Look For?
Before choosing an agency, ask about the surrogacy agency’s overall success. This includes:
- How many successful matches and births they’ve completed
- Testimonials from former surrogates and former clients
- Experience working with a variety of family types and medical needs
- Transparent data on how many successful surrogacies they’ve managed
This insight not only helps with determining successful outcomes—it helps you feel secure in the agency’s ability to protect and support you.
Red Flags to Watch for in a Prospective Surrogacy Agency
Be cautious of any prospective surrogacy agency that:
- Refuses to answer questions about compensation or surrogacy agency fees
- Offers vague details about the screening process
- Lacks communication or emotional support after the embryo transfer
- Doesn’t have a clear system for matching process or a poor surrogacy agency success rate
- Makes you feel like a number instead of a valued partner in the parenthood involves working journey
If an agency seems rushed, overly transactional, or hesitant to provide documentation, take that as a sign to keep looking.
Frequently Asked Questions to Ask Surrogacy Agency Questions
How do I know if the agency is reputable?
Check their success rates, read testimonials from former surrogates and former clients, and confirm that they offer strong legal and emotional support. A reputable agency will guide both the surrogate and the intended parents with compassion and professionalism.
Can I choose the intended parents I carry for?
Yes, you should never be matched without your full consent. Any good surrogacy agency will prioritize compatible matches and respect your preferences.
How are agency fees handled?
Fees should be transparent and detailed. Ask to see a breakdown of agency costs, surrogate pay, and legal expenses before signing.
Will I have help during the medical process?
Absolutely. Your agency should coordinate with trusted fertility clinics, guide you through egg retrieval and embryo transfer, and ensure you receive compassionate care throughout your successful pregnancy.
What happens if I need support after the baby is born?
Postpartum support is a critical part of your surrogacy experience. Look for agencies that provide continued access to support groups, counseling, and case management even after delivery.
Final Thoughts: Choose an Agency That Honors You
Becoming a healthy gestational carrier is a powerful act of love—but it’s also a major commitment. The agency you choose will shape your entire surrogacy journey, from the very first form to the moment you help deliver a future child into the arms of their family.
At Made in the USA Surrogacy, we believe in treating our surrogates with the same care, respect, and attention that we give to intended parents. From a thorough screening process to strong legal safeguards and personal support, we’re here to ensure your journey is safe, meaningful, and deeply rewarding.
Ready to begin your journey with a trusted agency?
Apply to become a surrogate with Made in the USA Surrogacy, or schedule a confidential consultation with our experienced team. We’re here to support and protect you—every step of the way.
