A donor or surrogate application works best when it is accurate, complete, and realistic. The goal is not to make every candidate look perfect. The goal is to help the team understand whether the path is safe, workable, and worth moving forward for the candidate, intended parents, clinic, and legal team.
Before you start
Set aside time when you can answer carefully. Have basic medical history, pregnancy history, medication history, insurance information, schedule limits, travel limits, and emergency contact details nearby. If you are applying as a surrogate, gather pregnancy and delivery information. If you are applying as an egg donor, gather menstrual cycle, contraception, medical, and family-history details.
Honest answers help the review move faster.
Surrogate application checklist
Prepare to answer questions about prior pregnancies, delivery method, pregnancy complications, BMI or health criteria, medications, substance use, mental-health history, support system, transportation, childcare, work schedule, insurance, state of residence, willingness to travel, and communication preferences.
ASRM guidance for gestational carriers includes medical, obstetric, psychological, counseling, and legal review. The application is only the first step; it is not medical clearance.
Egg donor application checklist
Prepare to answer questions about age, health, reproductive history, contraception, medications, family medical history, genetic history, education, interests, appearance, travel availability, schedule flexibility, and comfort with screening and retrieval. ASRM gamete donation guidance discusses donor history, infectious-disease testing, genetic risk assessment, counseling, and recipient considerations.
If you are unsure whether a detail matters, include it or ask.
Photos and profile information
Use current, clear photos and accurate profile details. Intended parents may review profile information later, but profile appeal should not come before safety, consent, and accuracy. Do not edit your application to hide medical or scheduling issues.
Schedule and logistics
Be specific about work, school, childcare, transportation, travel limits, upcoming moves, and blackout dates. A candidate who explains constraints early is easier to support than a candidate who tries to force a schedule that will not work.
What not to do
Do not guess about medical history, omit prior complications, hide medications, use someone else's photos, exaggerate availability, or answer based on what you think the agency wants to hear. Missing facts usually appear later and can delay or stop the process.
After submitting
Keep your phone and email current, watch for requests, and save documents in one place. If your health, insurance, address, schedule, pregnancy status, or medications change, update the team quickly. The application is a living starting point until screening confirms whether the path can proceed.
Review before submitting
Before you submit, reread the application from the coordinator's perspective. Can the team tell who you are, which role you want, whether your schedule is workable, which records may be needed, and whether any safety or timing question should be escalated? If not, add context. A careful application is not longer for its own sake; it reduces follow-up loops and avoids preventable confusion.
Next steps
This checklist is educational information only and is not medical or legal advice. The agency, clinic, and relevant professionals decide which application details affect eligibility or timing.