Qualified surrogates or egg donors must be mentally and physically healthy. Surrogates must already have given birth to at least one child of her own with no major complications during pregnancy and delivery. To qualify, surrogates and egg donors may not use illegal drugs or tobacco for a period of time and must meet many health and emotional wellness standards. Please see our surrogate requirements for more details. Qualified candidates also are asked to confirm their commitment to the surrogacy or egg donation process, expressing responsibility for their decision to participate and confirming they have met our requirements. A comfortable, trusting relationship between intended parent(s) and the surrogate is essential, so we do our best to get that relationship started on the right foot with properly vetted and qualified candidates.
Typical workflow (high level)
- Start with a consultation: clarify goals and constraints.
- Confirm requirements: legal, medical, and logistical.
- Plan the next steps: timelines, documentation, and decision points.
What can vary (and why)
- Clinic schedules and medical protocols (individualized to the situation).
- State and international legal requirements (especially for parentage workflows).
- Matching preferences and availability (fit matters).
- Insurance and financial structure (coverage details can change).
- Logistics like travel, time zones, and appointment availability.
Questions to ask (so you don’t get surprised later)
- What are the next 2–3 steps in my specific situation?
- What documents or records should I prepare before we start?
- Which decisions should I make now vs later?
- Who will be my primary point of contact during the journey?
- How will we communicate and share updates (email, calls, portal)?
- What are the typical milestones from start to finish?
Next steps
Important note
This page is educational information only and is not medical, legal, or tax advice. Always confirm specifics with qualified professionals and your care team.
See the sources section below for reference links when available.