Surrogacy Requirements in the U.S. (Updated 2026 List)
Current Patriot Conceptions program starting points
Patriot Conceptions currently uses the following initial program criteria for gestational-carrier intake:
- Age 21 through 40
- Body mass index under 35
- One to five prior live births
- No more than three prior cesarean births
- No recruitment of candidates residing in Louisiana or Nebraska
These are agency intake starting points, not medical clearance, legal eligibility, or a promise of acceptance. Individual history still requires human review. Program standards can change, and fertility clinics may use additional criteria.
How to read the starting points
The first review asks whether an application appears to fit the agency’s current program. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace the fertility clinic’s screening. For example, a number on an application does not explain the complete pregnancy history, current health, recovery, medication use, or the clinic’s protocol. A coordinator may need more information before routing the application to the next step.
The Louisiana and Nebraska line is a current recruitment boundary for this program. It is not a complete statement of U.S. surrogacy law. State law and court procedure can change, and the legally relevant locations may include more than a candidate’s current residence.
What happens after intake
- The agency reviews the application and available history.
- A fertility clinic and its licensed professionals conduct medical screening and decide medical clearance.
- A qualified mental-health professional may conduct an independent evaluation when required by the program or clinic.
- Each party works with independent reproductive counsel on agreements and parentage planning.
- The agency coordinates matching, schedules, records handoffs, and nonclinical journey logistics.
Each step can produce new questions or a decision not to continue. A candidate should receive a clear explanation of which professional made the decision and which next action, if any, is available.
Information commonly requested
The exact request depends on the clinic and case, but the process may involve:
- Identity and contact information for agency administration
- Prior pregnancy and delivery history
- Records requested by the fertility clinic through an authorized channel
- Current medication and health information requested by licensed clinicians
- Availability, travel, communication, and matching preferences
- Insurance information for review by qualified insurance professionals
- Information needed by each party’s independent attorney
Only send sensitive information through an authorized channel. Before submitting a record, confirm who will receive it, why it is needed, and whether the agency, clinic, attorney, insurer, or another professional is requesting it.
Who owns each decision
Agency: intake routing, matching coordination, schedules, communication, and nonclinical handoffs.
Fertility clinic: medical screening requirements, clinical interpretation, medical clearance, treatment recommendations, and medication instructions.
Independent mental-health professional: any evaluation or counseling within that professional’s engagement.
Independent reproductive attorney: contract advice, rights and responsibilities, enforceability, and the available parentage procedure.
Insurance, escrow, tax, and immigration professionals: determinations within their own specialties. An agency can coordinate information but does not make those professional decisions.
State and case-specific review
Surrogacy law, clinic policy, insurance, and benefit rules vary by location and can change. Residence is only one part of the analysis. Independent attorneys and the treating clinic must confirm the current requirements for each journey.
Before relying on a checklist, ask:
- Is this the agency’s current program rule or the clinic’s rule?
- Who reviewed the information and when?
- Does the rule apply to this specific clinic and jurisdiction?
- Is another document, evaluation, or professional opinion required?
- What happens if the information changes during the journey?
What meeting the starting points does not mean
An applicant who appears to meet the initial criteria has reached the beginning of review, not the end. It does not mean that a match is available, a clinic will grant medical clearance, an attorney has approved the legal path, insurance will cover an expense, or a transfer will result in pregnancy or birth.
Meeting initial criteria does not guarantee matching, medical clearance, pregnancy, birth, reimbursement, or a particular legal result. Patriot Conceptions is a surrogacy and egg-donation agency; it does not provide medical care or legal representation.
Surrogacy is a legal and medical-adjacent topic. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Aug 20, 2026.
Surrogacy Requirements in the U.S. (Updated 2026 List)
Current Patriot Conceptions program starting points
Patriot Conceptions currently uses the following initial program criteria for gestational-carrier intake:
- Age 21 through 40
- Body mass index under 35
- One to five prior live births
- No more than three prior cesarean births
- No recruitment of candidates residing in Louisiana or Nebraska
These are agency intake starting points, not medical clearance, legal eligibility, or a promise of acceptance. Individual history still requires human review. Program standards can change, and fertility clinics may use additional criteria.
How to read the starting points
The first review asks whether an application appears to fit the agency’s current program. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace the fertility clinic’s screening. For example, a number on an application does not explain the complete pregnancy history, current health, recovery, medication use, or the clinic’s protocol. A coordinator may need more information before routing the application to the next step.
The Louisiana and Nebraska line is a current recruitment boundary for this program. It is not a complete statement of U.S. surrogacy law. State law and court procedure can change, and the legally relevant locations may include more than a candidate’s current residence.
What happens after intake
- The agency reviews the application and available history.
- A fertility clinic and its licensed professionals conduct medical screening and decide medical clearance.
- A qualified mental-health professional may conduct an independent evaluation when required by the program or clinic.
- Each party works with independent reproductive counsel on agreements and parentage planning.
- The agency coordinates matching, schedules, records handoffs, and nonclinical journey logistics.
Each step can produce new questions or a decision not to continue. A candidate should receive a clear explanation of which professional made the decision and which next action, if any, is available.
Information commonly requested
The exact request depends on the clinic and case, but the process may involve:
- Identity and contact information for agency administration
- Prior pregnancy and delivery history
- Records requested by the fertility clinic through an authorized channel
- Current medication and health information requested by licensed clinicians
- Availability, travel, communication, and matching preferences
- Insurance information for review by qualified insurance professionals
- Information needed by each party’s independent attorney
Only send sensitive information through an authorized channel. Before submitting a record, confirm who will receive it, why it is needed, and whether the agency, clinic, attorney, insurer, or another professional is requesting it.
Who owns each decision
Agency: intake routing, matching coordination, schedules, communication, and nonclinical handoffs.
Fertility clinic: medical screening requirements, clinical interpretation, medical clearance, treatment recommendations, and medication instructions.
Independent mental-health professional: any evaluation or counseling within that professional’s engagement.
Independent reproductive attorney: contract advice, rights and responsibilities, enforceability, and the available parentage procedure.
Insurance, escrow, tax, and immigration professionals: determinations within their own specialties. An agency can coordinate information but does not make those professional decisions.
State and case-specific review
Surrogacy law, clinic policy, insurance, and benefit rules vary by location and can change. Residence is only one part of the analysis. Independent attorneys and the treating clinic must confirm the current requirements for each journey.
Before relying on a checklist, ask:
- Is this the agency’s current program rule or the clinic’s rule?
- Who reviewed the information and when?
- Does the rule apply to this specific clinic and jurisdiction?
- Is another document, evaluation, or professional opinion required?
- What happens if the information changes during the journey?
What meeting the starting points does not mean
An applicant who appears to meet the initial criteria has reached the beginning of review, not the end. It does not mean that a match is available, a clinic will grant medical clearance, an attorney has approved the legal path, insurance will cover an expense, or a transfer will result in pregnancy or birth.
Meeting initial criteria does not guarantee matching, medical clearance, pregnancy, birth, reimbursement, or a particular legal result. Patriot Conceptions is a surrogacy and egg-donation agency; it does not provide medical care or legal representation.
For your own case, confirm legal and medical details with your attorney and clinic.
Reviewed by Patriot Conceptions Editorial Team. Last reviewed Aug 20, 2026.