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.
Kansas Surrogate Spotlight: Amanda Z. – An Inspiring Midwest Surrogacy Story
Celebrating the Dedication of a Three-Time Kansas Surrogate
Pathways To Parenthood Surrogacy Agency is honored to shine a spotlight on Amanda Z., a remarkable surrogate from Kansas who has completed two surrogacy journeys and is currently pregnant with surro-baby number three.
Amanda’s kindness, dedication, and devotion to helping intended parents realize their dream of becoming parents is truly inspiring. She recently shared her experiences with us, hoping to encourage other women in Kansas City and across the Midwest to consider becoming surrogates and helping families grow.
Starting a Surrogacy Journey During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Amanda first decided to become a surrogate and work with Pathways To Parenthood during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, she had signed on with another surrogacy agency that worked with international intended parents. Unfortunately, the pandemic caused that agency to close, creating a deeply upsetting situation for Amanda — a woman who had already met all the requirements to become a surrogate and was determined to help others.
Finding the Right Surrogacy Agency Close to Home
After her first surrogacy opportunity fell through, Amanda decided she wanted to work with a surrogacy agency closer to home. While researching her options, she discovered Pathways To Parenthood Surrogacy Agency — a Kansas City-based agency that primarily works with intended parents and fertility clinics throughout the Midwest, including Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Why Choose to Become a Surrogate?
When asked why she first considered surrogacy, Amanda explained that she was inspired by two close friends who struggled with infertility. She initially thought she might be able to help her friends directly, but when they didn’t need her assistance, the calling to become a surrogate remained.
She describes surrogacy as “a way of leveling the cosmic playing field by giving of myself to help others in need.” That calling has since led her to work with three sets of intended parents, each expressing deep gratitude for her care, dedication, and compassion.
The Joys and Challenges of Surrogacy
Amanda genuinely enjoys the pregnancy experience — from carrying the baby to labor and delivery — and says she is “really good at it.” After her first surrogacy journey, she knew she would do it again, recalling that “seeing the unbridled joy in my first belly buddy’s mom was when I knew I would do it again.”
Still, Amanda is honest about the realities of surrogacy. The process can be joyful and fulfilling, but it can also be lengthy, frustrating, and sometimes even boring. She emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and working with an experienced, supportive agency to help navigate those challenges.
Understanding the Surrogacy Process in Kansas City and the Midwest
The process of becoming a surrogate involves several important steps:
- Meet Basic Criteria – These requirements are set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and fertility clinics. They typically include being between 21–40 years old, having at least one prior healthy pregnancy, and meeting health and lifestyle standards.
- Apply to a Surrogacy Agency – Select an agency that matches your values, offers the support you need, and serves your region.
- Complete the Screening Process – This includes medical evaluations, psychological assessments, and background checks.
- Matching with Intended Parents – Once you meet the criteria, you’ll be paired with intended parents based on compatibility and shared expectations.
- Begin the Medical Process – The embryo transfer process, pregnancy, and delivery follow, with the agency providing guidance throughout.
Amanda notes that the typical surrogacy journey lasts between 18 and 24 months from application to delivery.
Amanda’s View on Surrogate Compensation
Having completed two journeys and currently working on her third, Amanda understands the realistic value of surrogate compensation. She believes surrogates deserve fair pay for the time, dedication, and physical demands of the process — but stresses that compensation should not be the primary motivation.
She cautions against agencies that make inflated promises about payment, advising prospective surrogates to seek honest, transparent information about what they can expect to receive. For Amanda, the true reward comes from seeing the joy and gratitude of the families she helps.
Advice for Women Considering Becoming a Surrogate
Amanda encourages potential surrogates to:
- Understand their motivations.
- Research agencies carefully.
- Prepare for the emotional and time commitments involved.
She reminds women that surrogacy is more than pregnancy — it’s a partnership built on trust, compassion, and the shared goal of creating a family.
Why Choose Pathways To Parenthood
Based in Kansas City, Pathways To Parenthood has successfully guided surrogates and intended parents through the surrogacy process for years. Our agency works closely with fertility clinics and families across the Midwest, providing personalized guidance, legal coordination, medical scheduling, and emotional support from start to finish.
If you are considering becoming a surrogate in Kansas City or anywhere in the Midwest, we can help you take the first step toward a rewarding and life-changing experience.
FAQs About Becoming a Surrogate in Kansas City and the Midwest
Q: How do I know if I qualify to be a surrogate?
A: You must meet basic criteria established by the ASRM and fertility clinics, including age, health, pregnancy history, and lifestyle requirements.
Q: How long does the surrogacy process take?
A: On average, it takes 18–24 months from the initial application to delivery.
Q: How much do surrogates get paid in Kansas and Missouri?
A: Compensation varies by agency and experience. At Pathways To Parenthood, we ensure surrogates are compensated fairly and transparently.
Q: Do I have to live in Kansas City to work with Pathways To Parenthood?
A: No. We work with surrogates throughout Kansas, Missouri, and other Midwest states.
Q: What support will I receive as a surrogate?
A: We offer comprehensive guidance, legal and medical coordination, and emotional support throughout your journey.
8 Signs You Would Make A Good Surrogate
If you’re like many women considering becoming a surrogate, you’ve known for a long time that this is something you want to do. But every woman who considers surrogacy asks herself the same questions: Would I make a good surrogate? Is surrogacy right for me?
Choosing to carry a pregnancy for someone else is a big, life-changing decision, and there are many factors to consider before becoming a surrogate mother. Here are eight things to consider to help determine whether surrogacy is right for you.
You’re Becoming A Surrogate Mother For The Right Reasons
While being a surrogate has its financial benefits, money can’t be your biggest motivation. A surrogate should be someone who is primarily focused on giving, not receiving. Women who make amazing surrogates are those who hope to give an incredible gift and make a real impact on another person’s life.
You Are Healthy
One of the most important qualifications for a surrogate is a healthy lifestyle and medical history. This helps ensure a healthy pregnancy for both you as the surrogate, and the child you carry. Certain physical qualifications need to be met, such as a healthy body mass index (BMI), not being a smoker or drug user, and be within a certain age limit.
You Have Had A Healthy Pregnancy/Pregnancies
You must have had at least one healthy, complication free pregnancy and delivery. You cannot have had more than 5 pregnancies however, or more than 2 C-section deliveries.
You Enjoy Being Pregnant
Some women simply glow throughout their pregnancies. While many women couldn’t imagine being pregnant because they love being pregnant, surrogates have a special connection to pregnancy and often feel their best when carrying a child, whether that be for their own family or someone else’s.
You Are Organized
Surrogacy doesn’t just come together — it takes months of planning, interviews, meetings, and more before you even begin the pregnancy process. Throughout pregnancy, it’s imperative to track important pregnancy metrics, keep up with doctor’s visits, and maintain your everyday life at home, all the while planning for your impending delivery. Because of this, surrogate mothers must have strong organizational skills to be able to balance the demands of everyday life and being a surrogate.
You Are A Good Communicator
Good Communication is key to being a surrogate. Your Intended Parent’s will want to know how you’re doing, what’s coming up, and what they can help with. They’ll also want to see photos and maybe an occasional video. It’s important to know how to be open and honest with all involved parties though the surrogacy process.
You Have A Good Support Network
No matter how strong you are, there will always be times when you need the support of other people. Friends and family are essential, and they should be on hand whether you need to celebrate, talk things over, or cry on a shoulder. They’ll also need to accompany you to certain appointments and procedures. In fact, one of the prerequisites when applying to become a surrogate is that you have a support person. This could be a partner, a family member, or a close friend: someone you love and trust. If you have more than one support person, all the better!
You Are Financially Stable
While being a surrogate does qualify you for surrogate compensation, you should be financially independent before starting the surrogacy journey. Our surrogates may not be receiving welfare, using Medicaid, or supplemental security income (SSI).
Is Surrogacy Right For You?
If you’ve decided to become a surrogate, or have questions about becoming a surrogate, Pathways to Parenthood can answer your questions and guide you through the process. We have helped surrogates and intended parents come together in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois and Arkansas, Ohio and Kentucky. We can help you too!
Patience And The Surrogacy Process
You may be a generous, giving woman that has recently decided to become a surrogate. Or you may be ready to be parents that decided to begin the surrogacy process to grow your family. Both starting points are filled with excitement and optimism of beginning something that leads to a dream come true for everyone involved.
The end of the surrogacy process for women who become surrogates and parents to be is truly a beautiful and special time. The path to get to that special time is filled with many steps, processes, procedures, requirements, and potentially delays and setbacks. That is where patience comes in. Patience is not something that most of us are very good at unless we focus our efforts to be patient. Or be more patient. In addition, most of us also do not like to hear that we need to be patient. Or be more patient. But having patience with the surrogacy process will allow you to be able to persevere through all of the steps, processes, procedures, requirements and any delays or setbacks. Because in the end, it will be worth it.
One important way to help yourself be more patient with the surrogacy process is to know what to expect during your journey. A surrogacy agency will be able to explain the surrogacy process in detail which will ensure that your expectations are realistic. Also, a surrogacy agency will be able to provide the framework for all steps in the surrogacy process, including delays and setbacks so that you have an expert working with you side by side helping you navigate as efficiently as possible.
Having a good support system will also help you be more patient during the surrogacy process. A surrogacy agency can offer you support throughout your journey; however it is important to find multiple areas of support. Take good care of yourself. Get good sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise. The better you feel physically and mentally, the better equipped you will be to manage the surrogacy process well by being patient with yourself and others.
Pathways To Parenthood Surrogacy Agency can help you get started today! We can answer your questions about the surrogacy process, so you know what to expect and how to get started. Contact us to schedule a consultation appointment. We can help you like we have helped many other surrogates and future parents in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Ohio and Kentucky. We look forward to hearing from you!