Program pre-screening
Agencies and matching programs often perform an initial review before presenting a candidate to intended parents. The exact process varies. It may include pregnancy and delivery history, medical records, lifestyle information, identity or background verification, insurance information, and program-specific eligibility criteria.
Medical evaluation
The fertility clinic performs its own medical assessment before treatment. ASRM guidance includes medical history, physical examination, laboratory testing, infectious-disease screening, preconception testing, and evaluation of the uterine cavity. A candidate who passes program-level pre-screening can still be declined by the treating clinic after direct medical review.
Psychosocial evaluation
ASRM recommends psychosocial evaluation and counseling by a qualified mental-health professional for potential gestational carriers and their partners when applicable. Topics can include motivations, support systems, communication expectations, difficult pregnancy decisions, the relationship with intended parents, and the emotional implications of the arrangement.
Legal counseling
Legal counseling is a separate part of the process. State law and clinic requirements vary, so the timing of contracts and legal clearance is not identical in every journey. The key point is that legal planning should be completed before treatment reaches the stage at which the clinic requires clearance.
Background checks are program-specific
Some agencies or programs perform criminal or other background checks on the carrier and sometimes on household members. That is an operational policy, not a universal medical-screening requirement. Ask the specific program what it checks and at what stage.
Program approval and fertility-clinic clearance are not the same thing. The clinic makes its own medical determination, and legal and psychosocial review are separate parts of the process.
Source note: This overview follows ASRM recommendations for practices using gestational carriers. Individual clinics, agencies and states may add different requirements.