Becoming a surrogate is a powerful way to help hopeful parents start or grow their families, but it’s also a serious commitment. Surrogacy requires compassion, stability and strong physical health, which is why agencies follow clear guidelines to make sure every journey begins safely and responsibly.
Not everyone will qualify, and that’s a good thing — it means the process is designed to protect everyone involved: the surrogate, the intended parents and the baby.
In this post, we’ll walk through the most common surrogate requirements used by trusted agencies like Joy of Life®. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can I be a surrogate mother?” this checklist will give you a clearer answer and help you decide if this meaningful path is right for you.
Why Are Surrogate Requirements So Specific?
Surrogacy is a generous and life-changing commitment that involves complex medical, legal and emotional factors. That’s why agencies like Joy of Life® follow specific eligibility criteria designed to protect everyone involved: the surrogate, the intended parents and the baby.
These requirements are in place to ensure the safest, healthiest and most successful experience possible. If you meet the criteria, it’s a strong sign that you’re ready to take on this undertaking with confidence and care.
Surrogate Eligibility Checklist
Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
To become a surrogate, you must be legally living in the United States as either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. This requirement ensures that you can safely access essential healthcare services, work with U.S.-based clinics and enter into legally binding contracts that are enforceable under American law. Surrogacy is not governed at the federal level, which means state laws and protections can vary significantly. Living in the U.S. creates a more stable legal environment for both you and the intended parents.
Live in a Surrogacy-Friendly State
Just as important as legal U.S. residency is the state you live in. Surrogacy laws are decided by each state rather than the federal government, and they impact everything from whether you can be paid to how legal parentage is established. Some states offer strong protections and clear guidelines, while others have restrictions or outright bans. Living in a surrogacy-friendly state helps ensure your rights are protected and your agreement is legally enforceable.
Joy of Life® only accepts surrogates from states that allow compensated surrogacy. If you’re unsure whether your state qualifies, our team can help guide you.
Be Within a Healthy Reproductive Age Range (21-42)
Most surrogacy agencies, including Joy of Life®, look for women between the ages of 21 and 42 to ensure both physical and emotional readiness. This age range reflects peak reproductive health, which means fewer complications during pregnancy and a safer experience for both the surrogate and the baby.
Surrogacy is also a deeply emotional experience that requires maturity, stability and long-term commitment. Being in this age range helps ensure you’re ready to handle the demands of pregnancy, recovery and the unique responsibility of helping someone else build a family.
Have a BMI Under 30
A body mass index (BMI) under 30 helps ensure the safest possible conditions for pregnancy. Women with higher BMIs face increased risks of complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia (a dangerous spike in blood pressure) and the need for cesarean delivery — all of which can pose serious health concerns for both the surrogate and the baby.
A lower BMI is also linked to better in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. It can improve how your body responds to fertility medications and increase the likelihood of a successful embryo transfer. Babies born to surrogates within a healthy BMI range are also less likely to face complications like premature birth or low birth weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight supports a smoother, safer surrogacy and improves your chances of being approved during medical screening.
Demonstrate a Documented History of Healthy Pregnancies
To become a surrogate, you must have a documented history of at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy. This provides essential assurance to fertility specialists and intended parents that you’re physically and emotionally prepared to carry a baby safely.
Certain complications in previous pregnancies may disqualify a candidate from surrogacy. This is because complications often carry a higher risk of recurrence in future pregnancies, potentially endangering both the surrogate and the baby. Automatic disqualifiers typically include chronic hypertension during pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and gestational diabetes that required medication for management. These conditions can significantly increase the risk of complications in a surrogacy pregnancy and are taken seriously during medical screening.
Meet Pregnancy and Delivery History Limits
Joy of Life® follows medical guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and top IVF clinics to ensure long-term safety for surrogates. One such guideline limits surrogates to no more than five total pregnancies. While it’s not uncommon to hear of women who’ve had eight, 10 or even 12 children, each pregnancy places increasing stress on the uterus. Each time the uterus expands to accommodate a growing baby, its lining becomes more vulnerable, raising the risk of complications in subsequent pregnancies.
C-section history is also closely evaluated. While ASRM recently updated its recommendations to allow up to three C-sections, many IVF clinics and doctors continue to adhere to the more conservative limit of two. At Joy of Life®, we align with industry standards to ensure the safest, healthiest experience for everyone involved.
Be a Non-Smoker With a Stable Lifestyle
Surrogates must commit to a healthy, substance-free lifestyle throughout the surrogacy. Smoking, drug use and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious pregnancy complications, including premature birth, low birth weight and developmental issues for the baby. A clean, smoke-free environment helps ensure the safest possible outcomes for both you and the child you’re carrying.
Just as important as physical health is daily stability. That includes having reliable transportation for medical appointments, a safe living environment and a dependable support system, whether that’s a partner, family member or close friend. These factors demonstrate that you’re prepared to handle the practical and emotional demands of surrogacy.
Pass Medical, Psychological and Background Screenings
Before starting surrogacy, all candidates must complete a thorough screening process to ensure they’re physically, mentally and emotionally prepared. This includes a medical exam with bloodwork, a uterine ultrasound and a full physical to confirm that your body can support a healthy pregnancy. Equally important is the psychological evaluation, which helps ensure you’re emotionally ready for the unique challenges of surrogacy.
A background check is also conducted to promote a safe, secure experience for all parties involved. These screenings are in place to protect your health, the baby’s well-being and the peace of mind of the intended parents.
Find Out If Surrogacy Is Right for You
Every requirement on this list is designed to make sure the surrogacy is safe, supported and successful for you, the baby and the intended parents. If you meet the criteria, you could be an excellent candidate to help someone experience the joy of parenthood.
Joy of Life® is here to guide you through every step with compassion, clarity and expert care. Take our short quiz to see if you’re eligible, and begin your journey today!
