Standard Agency Requirements
Most reputable surrogacy agencies require that a gestational surrogate candidate meet the following criteria before entering their pool:
- Age: Typically 21–40 years old. Some agencies allow up to 42 for experienced surrogates.
- Prior successful pregnancies: Must have had at least one previous pregnancy carried to term and be currently raising at least one child. This demonstrates a proven ability to carry a pregnancy and provides psychological grounding — the surrogate already understands what it means to be a parent and is choosing to help someone else become one.
- No more than 4–5 prior deliveries (including C-sections), to limit uterine risk.
- BMI: Most agencies require a BMI under 32–35. Fertility clinics often have their own BMI cutoffs.
- Non-smoker and no recreational drug use. All household members must also be non-smokers.
- No history of significant mental health conditions that are untreated or poorly controlled.
- Financial stability: Not currently receiving government financial assistance. This is a safeguard against financial pressure influencing the decision to become a surrogate.
- No criminal history involving felonies or crimes against persons.
- US resident (citizenship not always required, but legal residency is).
Fertility Clinic Requirements
After matching, the fertility clinic conducts its own independent medical evaluation with its own clearance criteria. Common additional clinic requirements include: normal uterine anatomy on imaging, hormone levels within acceptable ranges for a transfer cycle, absence of infectious disease, and no more than 5–6 prior uterine surgeries or C-sections. The clinic's medical director has final authority on clearance — a surrogate who passes agency screening may still be declined at the clinic level.
Why These Requirements Exist
The requirements exist to protect everyone: the surrogate's health, the pregnancy, and the intended parents' investment. Surrogates with prior successful pregnancies have demonstrated their body can carry to term. The financial stability requirement helps ensure the decision to surrogate is not driven by desperation. BMI and health limits reduce obstetric risk. These aren't arbitrary barriers — they're grounded in medical evidence and ethical best practice.
Meeting the minimum requirements doesn't guarantee a surrogate will be matched quickly — health history, geographic flexibility, and alignment on key values all affect matching timelines.