Become A Surrogate: Understanding the Screening Process

Many women describe being a surrogate as one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Helping another family bring a child into the world is a powerful act of compassion and generosity. But before that incredible ending comes the beginning—the surrogacy screening process.

At Pathways to Parenthood, we guide you through every step with honesty, compassion, and transparency. Understanding what’s involved and preparing in advance helps your journey move forward more smoothly, allowing you to be matched with intended parents sooner.

Why the Surrogacy Screening Process Matters

Becoming a surrogate is more than a medical procedure—it’s a commitment that affects your health, your family, and the family you’re helping. The screening process ensures that you’re physically, emotionally, and mentally ready to take on this life-changing role.

Screening protects everyone involved—the surrogate, the intended parents, and the baby—by confirming that all parties can safely and confidently begin the journey. While thorough, this process is also supportive, designed to set you up for success.

Step One: The Pre-Screening Application

You can take the first step to becoming a surrogate by completing the pre-screening application.

This quick online form gathers essential details about your background, lifestyle, and medical history. If you meet the initial requirements, our team will contact you to continue the process. During this stage, honesty and transparency are key—your answers help us ensure the process is the right fit for you.

Step Two: Meeting Basic Surrogate Qualifications

Before proceeding to the medical and psychological phases, applicants must meet foundational criteria set by both Pathways to Parenthood and our partner fertility clinics. These standards align with recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to maximize safety and success.

Basic Criteria for Gestational Surrogate Candidates

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Be a non-smoker and abstain from vaping or drug use
• No new tattoos or piercings within the past 12 months
• Be between ages 24 and 38
• Have had at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy and delivery
• Maintain a Body Mass Index (BMI) under 30
• Be mentally and physically healthy
• Not receive public assistance or government aid
• Be able to pass a criminal background check
• Be free of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Have reliable transportation for appointments
• Live in a stable home environment
• Have the support of your spouse or partner, if applicable

These guidelines ensure you’re in the best position for a safe, healthy, and successful surrogacy experience.

Step Three: Medical History Review

Once you meet basic qualifications, you’ll move on to the medical assessment phase. This precedes the formal medical evaluation that will be done after matching at the fertility clinic:

• Health & pregnancy history review
• Ob/Gyn medical clearance
• Pregnancy medical records review

Every aspect of the medical review helps determine whether your body can safely carry a pregnancy for someone else. If any questions arise—such as past medical conditions or pregnancy complications—we will consult with fertility specialists to determine ability to proceed with screening.

For a deeper explanation of how specific medical conditions affect surrogacy eligibility, read our related article: Can I Be a Surrogate with Medical History? 

Step Four: Psychological and Emotional Readiness Evaluation

Carrying a child for another family is an emotional journey. To ensure readiness, every surrogate completes a psychological evaluation with a licensed mental health professional experienced in third-party reproduction.

This evaluation includes:

• A clinical interview to explore your motivations and expectations
• Discussion about emotional support systems (partner, family, friends)
• Personality assessment to ensure emotional resilience

This part of the process isn’t about judgment—it’s about ensuring that you have the support, stability, and mental health needed for a positive experience.

Step Five: Background and Lifestyle Verification

The final step in the screening process is background and lifestyle verification. This includes:

• Criminal and child safety background checks for you and your partner
• Home environment review to confirm a safe, supportive living situation
• Verification of financial stability—compensation should be a benefit, not a necessity

These checks protect you, your family, and the intended parents, ensuring a trustworthy, respectful match.

What Happens After Screening?

Once all agency evaluations are completed, you’re officially ready to be matched with intended parents. From there, our team helps guide introductions and matching process, oversee fertility clinic medical clearance process, legal contracts, and coordination of the medical cycle that leads to embryo transfer.

Pathways to Parenthood is with you every step of the way—offering guidance, emotional support, and expert coordination to make the journey smooth and rewarding.

Begin Your Journey with Pathways to Parenthood

The surrogacy screening process may seem extensive, but it exists to ensure your health, safety, and success. Each requirement is a step toward creating a family’s dream come true—safely, responsibly, and joyfully to ensure best outcomes for everyone.

If you meet the basic surrogate requirements and feel ready to take the next step, we’d love to talk with you. Contact Pathways to Parenthood today to begin your application or learn more about becoming a gestational surrogate.

Your journey starts with one step that may change someone’s life forever.