Read on if you’re curious about what the journey looks like with The Life Gifts or jump to surrogate requirements to see if you qualify.

While these steps are structured, your experience should feel anything but transactional. With the right support system, surrogacy becomes a deeply meaningful and empowering experience.

Basic surrogate requirements

Becoming a surrogate requires a generous and life-changing decision. Surrogate requirements are designed to ensure a safe and healthy experience for the surrogate, the baby she carries, and the intended parents. Most surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics follow guidelines established by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). At all times during a surrogacy journey, the surrogate’s health and wellbeing take first priority.

Review the essential surrogate requirements below, including age, medical history, and readiness.

Requirements to Become a Surrogate Mother

While we review every applicant’s unique story, the following foundational surrogate requirements are key starting points for eligibility. These few essential items are truly non-negotiable.

These requirements are designed to protect your health and wellbeing, support a successful pregnancy, and ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. If you’re feeling good about meeting basic requirements, learn more about The Life Gifts’ unique surrogate qualification process. Fertility expert Dr. Sheeva Talebian has worked with The Life Gifts on matching surrogates and intended parents for over 10 years. Watch the video below to hear her explain how doctors work with surrogacy agencies to evaluate surrogate requirements and qualifications.

Breakdown of Surrogate Requirements

Do I qualify to be a surrogate mother?

While surrogate requirements define the baseline criteria, surrogate qualifications go deeper by focusing on your emotional readiness, support system, and overall preparedness for the journey.

Instead of simply asking, “Do you qualify?” The Life Gifts asks, “How can we best support you for a healthy and successful surrogacy journey?

This approach helps us work with an incredibly broad array of women who go on to have healthy, successful surrogacy journeys with the life-changing empowerment of providing the gift of a baby to hopeful intended parents and additional financial resources for themselves and their families.

While medical safety and emotional readiness are essential, we also believe that every qualified candidate deserves a fair and thorough evaluation—not a quick disqualification based on one factor.

With more than 30 years of experience, we’ve developed a deeply personal process to support surrogates physically, emotionally, and mentally. The Life Gifts is proud to practice a thoughtful, thorough approach to surrogate qualifications.

Our surrogate qualification process

When you apply, you’re beginning a partnership with a team that wants to truly know you.

Many surrogacy agencies rely solely on what individual clinics will accept. Because those standards can vary, that approach can lead to confusion or unnecessary rejection.

At The Life Gifts, we’ve created a consistent, experience-backed standard that allows us to evaluate your candidacy more holistically.

Engaging

We start with getting to know you, your interests, your family, and what makes you tick.  This continues through our conversations about your timing, your motivation, and what it means to be emotionally ready. Whether you are just beginning to think about surrogacy or have had a long-term goal of becoming a surrogate, we’re thrilled to meet you.

Personalized

Every journey is unique and so is your screening.  You’re more than a series of yes or no questions or piecemeal information.  Because we work with a wide array of fertility clinics, reproductive endocrinologists, and intended parents, we’re able to consider your surrogacy candidacy from a broad and experienced perspective to create a comprehensive profile of you. It’s also the reason why over 95% of our surrogates are cleared on their first try. You’ll see this personal attention throughout your evaluation.

Supportive

From day one, we’re here to guide, educate, and empower you with a common aim of discovering whether surrogacy is likely to be a healthy and successful experience for you. You’ll meet our team early on and they’ll be with you at every milestone.

The The Life Gifts approach is backed by strong relationships and deep expertise.

We work closely with leading fertility clinics across the country and are fluent in ASRM guidelines and medical clearance processes.

When you work with The Life Gifts, you benefit from:

We provide a thoughtful, expert-led evaluation designed to support your success.

What disqualifies you from being a surrogate?

Don’t disqualify before you apply

Many women assume something in their medical or personal history makes them ineligible.

Often, that’s not the case.

At The Life Gifts, we take the time to understand your full situation—not just one factor—and help determine whether surrogacy is a healthy and realistic path forward.

What is the process to become a surrogate?

Your surrogacy journey with The Life Gifts follows five clear, fully supported steps:

Understand the list of requirements above to become a surrogate mother and experience the support you need.

And while lists of surrogate requirements can feel exhaustive or unclear at times, don’t count yourself out too quickly. At The Life Gifts, we use a consistent, experience-backed qualifications process to consider your whole story, not just a checklist. Our team is here to help you explore if surrogacy is the right fit for you.

We believe that the right match makes all the difference. 

Once you’re approved, we’ll introduce you to intended parents that align with your values, preferences, and lifestyle. Our Matching Matters™  process has a 97% success rate on the first match.

You’ll work with a dedicated Match Manager and choose how close of a relationship you’d like to have, whether it’s long-distance or more involved. You’ll never be pressured into a match that doesn’t feel right.

With clarity and care, you’ll begin the next phase of your journey.

During pregnancy, you’ll receive ongoing support, routine check-ins, and personalized care. We’ll help you create a birth plan with your intended parents, and you’ll stay connected to the Surrogate Sisterhood and your Match Manager throughout.

Legal documentation will be finalized so that the baby can go home with their family from the hospital. Many surrogates describe this moment—the handoff—as one of the most powerful of their lives.

Watch Ashtin’s story, a two-time surrogate, share what that moment was like for her.

The Life Gifts support doesn’t end at birth.

After delivery, you’ll receive Fourth Trimester support, including physical recovery resources and access to the Surrogate Sisterhood. We remain by your side as you transition back into daily life, knowing you’ve made an extraordinary impact.

Many women form lasting connections—with intended parents, with other surrogates, and with themselves.

How much do surrogates get paid?

First-time surrogates with The Life Gifts can earn up to $75,000—well above the national average— through our All-In Care and Compensation program.

This includes:

For a full breakdown of compensation, benefits, and payment structure, visit our Surrogate Pay Guide.

Ready to begin your surrogacy journey?

At The Life Gifts, we’ve helped thousands of women through a proven, supportive process to become a surrogate mother that allows you to help would-be parents bring home their baby. With 30 years of experience in supportive, personalized surrogacy journeys, we’re here to guide you through the surrogacy process.

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, the best next step is to start a conversation.

Click the link below to start your application and get connected with an expert from our surrogate engagement team.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do surrogates get paid with The Life Gifts?

Surrogates with The Life Gifts can earn up to $75,000 in total base compensation, depending on experience and location. Payments begin early in the journey and continue throughout pregnancy, with milestone payments at the time of medical screening, medications, and embryo transfer. In addition to the base, surrogates receive allowances for family support needs.

All medical expenses related to surrogacy are covered by our program and you are never responsible for any out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The Life Gifts also ensures you have life insurance and income-protection benefits so you feel secure throughout the process. Our goal is for every surrogate to feel appreciated, financially supported, and protected from beginning to end.

What are the requirements to become a surrogate?

To qualify as a gestational carrier with The Life Gifts, you must meet certain basic criteria:

• Be between 21 and 44 years old
• Have had at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

There are, of course, a host of other considerations, however, we employ a holistic process to work with you to determine if surrogacy is likely to be a healthy and successful experience.  Unlike other agencies, we do not use a checklist approach about your physical and mental health; our process is, indeed, rigorous and at the same time, our time-tested guidelines help ensure you are medically prepared for pregnancy and emotionally supported throughout the journey. Our team reviews each application individually, and we take time to understand your family life, support network, and goals to make sure the experience of considering surrogacy is a positive one.

What screening do surrogates complete?

The Life Gifts uses a thorough screening process that ensures your safety and readiness. This includes:

1. An initial interview to learn more about you and begin to build our relationship
2. A full review of your pregnancy history and medical records
3. A psychological consultation with a licensed mental health professional
4. Background checks and detailed interviews

These steps not only confirm that you’re physically ready for a healthy pregnancy but also give you space to ask questions, learn about the surrogacy process and the larger community of women that surround and lift up each surrogate, and feel confident about moving forward.

If you join our program as an active surrogate, we will work with you to identify the perfect intended parents for your match.  The fertility clinic working with your intended parents will conduct a medical exam and laboratory tests to further validate your readiness for surrogacy.

How does the legal process work for surrogacy?

Before any medical treatment begins, you will enter a Gestational Carrier Agreement (“GCA”) with your intended parents. The Life Gifts ensures that:

• You receive your own independent attorney
• All legal fees are covered
• The contract outlines compensation, medical decision-making, confidentiality, and parental rights
• Pre-birth or post-birth court orders are handled to ensure parental rights are properly secured

Your legal team will walk you through each clause so you feel fully informed and protected. This structure gives everyone clarity, reduces stress, and establishes a solid foundation for the rest of the journey.

How does The Life Gifts match surrogates with intended parents?

Our Matching Matters™ approach focuses on compatibility, communication styles, shared values, and overall comfort. The process includes:

1. Learning about your preferences, communication expectations, and lifestyle
2. Reviewing intended parent profiles that align with you
3. A facilitated introduction so both sides can ask questions
4. A match only moves forward when you and the intended parents feel it’s the right fit

This thoughtful matching approach creates the supportive, trusting relationships that make surrogacy successful and emotionally fulfilling – and ensures you are matched with the intended parents you are meant to help.

How long does the surrogacy process take?

Most surrogacy journeys take 15 to 18 months from when we first get to know you until birth. A typical timeline looks like:

• Screening and approval: 1–3 months
• Matching: 1–3 months
• Legal contracts: 4–6 weeks
• IVF cycle and embryo transfer: 1–2 months
• Pregnancy: 9 months

Some journeys move faster, while others take slightly longer depending on clinic schedules, matching preferences, or medical pacing. Throughout the process, you will always know what to expect next and will always move forward with support.

Who pays for medical care and insurance during surrogacy?

Intended parents pay for all surrogacy-related medical expenses. This includes fertility treatments, prenatal care, ultrasounds, delivery, and postpartum appointments. If your personal insurance does not cover surrogacy, The Life Gifts secures a surrogacy-friendly policy.
Additionally, our program funds a life insurance policy and other insurance programs to ensure you and your family have peace-of-mind. You can be a surrogate with a solid foundation, one that ensures that you and your family are protected without financial stress.

What support does The Life Gifts provide during the journey?

Surrogates receive comprehensive support from a team that understands exactly what you need. This includes:

• A dedicated Match Manager
• Emotional and mental health resources
• Access to a private surrogate community
• Regular check-ins throughout pregnancy and postpartum, including your Fourth Trimester
• Wellness guidance, care packages, and on-call help

We stay closely connected so you always feel cared for, understood, and celebrated for the life-changing gift you are giving.

Will I need to travel as a surrogate?

Sometimes. Depending on the location of the fertility clinic that your intended parents are working with, you may need to travel for:

• Medical screening
• Embryo transfer

All travel costs are covered, including flights, hotel, transportation, and meals. We coordinate logistics for you and make sure you feel comfortable with any required trips.

What happens after I deliver the baby?

After birth, you receive Fourth Trimester support so you can recover physically and emotionally – stronger than ever and rightfully proud of the gift you have provided another family. The Life Gifts checks in regularly, offers optional counseling sessions, and connects you with other surrogates who understand the postpartum experience.

Many surrogates choose to stay in touch with the families they helped, while others prefer closure. Both are welcomed. Our role is to ensure you feel valued and supported long after delivery.

How much do surrogates make?

As a first-time surrogate, surrogates can make up to $75,000 with The Life Gifts depending on location, previous surrogacy experience, and current salary. This includes our $10,000 limited time bonus and more.

Do you think you should receive more compensation? The Life Gifts works on your behalf to ensure you receive top pay through our All-In Care and Compensation program, offering a comprehensive package with the best protection and personalized care for each and every surrogate.

Learn more about surrogate compensation and everything that is included in our All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation package.

Surrogate Mother PayAll-In Surrogate Package

How to choose the right surrogacy agency

Part of understanding surrogacy is researching who is the best fit to partner with you on this journey. The Life Gifts is an experienced (and leading) full-service surrogacy agency, and our job is to support you every step of the way. We are able to move with purpose, more quickly than any other agency, to serve your interests in achieving a healthy and successful surrogacy journey. Our proven process makes your dream of helping another family a reality. We are all-in as your surrogacy agency.

How long does it take to become a surrogate?

The entire surrogacy process, including screening, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery, takes about 15-18 months. Our agency moves at your speed and, if you choose, quickly.

Is surrogacy safe? What are the medical risks?

Our team of on-staff nurses and mental health professionals work hard to ensure that surrogacy can be a healthy and successful experience for every surrogate we bring into our program.  At The Life Gifts, our distinctively careful and complete process of surrogate evaluation is recognized and appreciated by Fertility Clinics, intended parents and – most importantly – our surrogates and their families. We require your physician’s approval, and the approval of your intended parents’ reproductive endocrinologist, to move forward in our surrogacy process. Pregnancy, of course, has inherent risks; there is no evidence, however, that surrogacy, particularly surrogacy involving Single Embryo Transfer which is the scope of our program, introduces additional risk. Some potential surrogates do discover other medical issues during the process, ones they may have been previously unaware of; we are proud to assist women with the identification and management of these issues.

Can I choose the intended parents I carry for?

Yes. You’ll have a voice in the matching process, and we’ll only proceed with a match that feels right to you.

What type of support will I receive during pregnancy?

You’ll get prenatal care, emotional support, connection with other surrogates, and 1-on-1 guidance from your dedicated Match Manager.

Why is a surrogate’s age important?

Surrogates must be between 21 and 44 years old to qualify. This age limit for surrogates supports a lower-risk pregnancy.

Is stress an important factor in qualification?

Emotional and mental readiness are essential for a successful surrogacy journey. High stress levels can affect pregnancy outcomes and your overall experience. During our screening process, we’ll work with you to ensure you have a strong support system and emotional stability to handle the commitment.

Do surrogacy qualifications vary by state?

No. Surrogacy laws vary widely by state but they generally do not affect your eligibility to be a surrogate, but for women who live in Alaska, Louisiana, Nebraska and Wyoming. State laws for surrogacy are based on where you live and they do impact what are the characteristics of intended parents that you can work with which, in turn, impacts your compensation.  If you live in a state with broader flexibility, there are more intended parents that are able to work with you and you may earn more than if you live in a state with many restrictions. The Life Gifts will help you confirm what this means for you! Learn more about surrogacy laws by state.

Will I need clearance from my OB/GYN?

Yes. You’ll need a medical clearance letter from your OB/GYN confirming that your doctor thinks that surrogacy can be a healthy and successful experience for you, which is an assurance you will likely want to have as well.  Our surrogates really depend on their doctor’s opinion.

Can I be a surrogate without having had a child?

No. The Life Gifts, and every professional surrogacy agency and fertility clinic as well as guidelines issued by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, requires surrogates to have given birth to a child. This provides greater medical predictability to the surrogacy process and helps to ensure that surrogacy can be a healthy and successful experience for you.

Can I still qualify if I’m on Medicaid or other financial assistance?

Typically, yes. When you apply, we will talk with you to better understand your financial picture.

What does an “uncomplicated pregnancy” mean?

An “uncomplicated pregnancy” means you delivered a healthy baby at full-term without experiencing major issues such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm labor – and, if you’ve had more than one delivery experience, your most recent pregnancy will carry particular importance. We thoroughly look at your medical history with you to gauge how your body is likely to handle a future pregnancy as a surrogate.

Can I apply if I’m breastfeeding?

Yes. We’re excited to get to know you, and to receive your application, at any time in your breastfeeding journey. We will work with you to align key steps in the surrogacy process, such as your medical screening, with your timeline for breastfeeding.

Can I apply with an IUD in place?

Yes. We’re excited to get to know you, and to receive your application, at any time. While your IUD must be removed before medical screening and embryo transfer, we will work with you on the appropriate timing and costs of removal to ensure the process works with your timeline.

Additional Resources for Your Research

What Surrogates Have to Say

Others like you have felt curious, hopeful, and eager to make a difference. Discover stories from surrogates who worked with The Life Gifts to help families grow.

Additional Resources

Explore more topics and personal perspectives to support you wherever you are in your surrogacy journey.

Surrogacy for Lactating Mothers

Learn how surrogates who choose to pump can provide continued care after delivery — and receive additional compensation for their time and effort.

Surrogacy for Military Wives

Military wives are uniquely positioned to be amazing surrogates. Discover how surrogacy can offer flexibility, purpose, and financial empowerment.

Meet the Men Behind Surrogacy

Surrogacy isn’t just a women’s story — hear from the men who support, encourage, and stand proudly behind the journey.

Lactation for New Mothers

Understand how lactation plays a role for intended mothers, and explore your options for feeding and bonding after surrogacy.

Surrogacy in the Teaching Community

Many teachers find surrogacy to be a natural extension of their nurturing spirit. Learn why educators make incredible surrogates.

Surrogacy in the Nursing Community

Nurses bring compassion, expertise, and strength to surrogacy. See how their caregiving backgrounds make them ideal candidates for this life-changing journey.